Author Topic: Favorite .270 bullet for Deer (Read 1718 times)

Big Tom · « **on:** January 05, 2004, 08:01:25 AM »

O.K. guys....I'm new to the venerable .270 Win and am putting together my materials to develop a good Deer load for short to medium range effectiveness in a Wby Mark V Stainless .270 (24" barrel).
From the reviews I've read so far the 130 gr Ballistic Tip bullets are very effective but there seems to be a disintegration factor for ballistic tips at closer ranges,(50-100yds)....maybe an Accubond or SST Interlock ?....or do I go up to 140 0r 150gr on the ballistic tips so they hold up better?

I'd like some input/experiences/recipes from fellow GBers... :grin:

Lawdog · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2004, 10:02:41 AM »

Big Tom,

Why not bring this question on down to the Medium Bore forum and ask the guys there? I have tried Ballistic Tips and SST's in many different calibers with the same results. If you drive them to fast they have a tendency to break up at ranges up to 150 or so yards. I am going to try a the AccuBond in .270 as I have decided to purchase a Savage in .270 WSM. Again for your caliber questions from 6.5mm to 9.3mm come on down to the Medium Bore forum her at Graybeard Outdoors. Lawdog

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2004, 12:51:03 PM »

Only two I've used are the Hornady 140 BTSP and the Nosler 150 PT. Both worked mighty fine and were super accurate. Never seen any reason to use any other in the .270 Winny.

GB

BruceP · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2004, 01:29:35 PM »

I use the 130 gr. ballistic tip and while like you I hear of the disintegration problem I have yet to experience it. Most of my shots have been placed behind the shoulder into the ribcage but I did bust the shoulder of one deer that was quartering to me at a whopping 35 yards. While field dressing him I found the remains of the bullet just under the skin about 3" in front of the rear leg. After cleaning it up the bullet still weighed 60 grains and still had some lead firmly in place in the jacket base. I'm in no way saying that the BT bullets won’t disintegrate. I guess maybe I have just been lucky but I will continue to use them.
BruceP

Big Tom · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2004, 01:57:46 PM »

I've used 150 and 165gr ballistic tips very successfully with .308 and 30.06 rifles before.
I have used 100 gr Partitions successfully on deer with my .243 after seeing poor results from others using 90 and 100 gr ballistic tips with their .243 loads on deer.
I'm leaning toward either a 130 hornady interlock BTSP or Nosler Partition....thinking that if the accuracy is there the load will also work fine on Antelope. :lol:

huntsman · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2004, 02:00:39 PM »

I don't relaod, so I haven't tried many of the premium bullets out there, but I would still be hard pressed to beat the performance I've gotten from my Remington core-lokt bullets (130 and 150 grain). I have heard that the core-lokt has changed a little in recent years and I haven't bought any new ammo in over 5 years, so I will have to qualify my opinion by saying I am talking about pre-1999 ammo. I am not certain it has changed, but I have heard rumors. Guess I need to get some newer ammo and try it out.

I hunt primarily deer and hogs, and I want a bullet that will punch through to leave an exit hole (and a good blood trail) in every situation. Core-lokts have done that for me. Meat damage is usually on the moderate side unless I hit and fragment bone. Core-lokts are much more reasonably priced than most of the other premium bullets, but I don't see how I could ask for a much better bullet performance-wise.

Big Tom · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2004, 03:44:47 PM »

Quote from: huntsman

I don't relaod, so I haven't tried many of the premium bullets out there, but I would still be hard pressed to beat the performance I've gotten from my Remington core-lokt bullets (130 and 150 grain). I have heard that the core-lokt has changed a little in recent years and I haven't bought any new ammo in over 5 years, so I will have to qualify my opinion by saying I am talking about pre-1999 ammo. I am not certain it has changed, but I have heard rumors. Guess I need to get some newer ammo and try it out.

I hunt primarily deer and hogs, and I want a bullet that will punch through to leave an exit hole (and a good blood trail) in every situation. Core-lokts have done that for me. Meat damage is usually on the moderate side unless I hit and fragment bone. Core-lokts are much more reasonably priced than most of the other premium bullets, but I don't see how I could ask for a much better bullet performance-wise.

Huntsman, are you shooting a .270 with the corelokts? I have had good penetration with corelokts but not good expansion, knockdowns, or blood trails. I shoot lung shots primarily. But these experiences were with a 30.06 w/165 gr corelokts.

acearch72 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2004, 04:22:40 PM »

I have had nothing but bad luck with the Nosler BTs in 264 WinMag and 30-06. Bullets always fragmented very badly. Lost several deer. Have not tried in my 270 or 7mm and won't.

I hear the SSTs are much better hunting performers but have no experience yet. Got some for my father-in-laws 30-06. May have some results shortly.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 05, 2004, 04:46:42 PM »

BigTom
I've owned 270's many rimes but have never gotten to shoot them!! They were always sold or traded and I've never used one personally. My best friend is a true 270 fan.. He has at least 3 and we've experimented a lot with several different bullets and types of factory ammo. Winchester PowerPoints are usually quite 'soft'. Expanding to destruction and creating a mess is less than perfect shots are not taken. Sierra and Hornadays also are soft with the Sierra's seeming to like shedding their cores. This was nat with the newer gameking sierras. The new Hornaday bonded core bullets should work great but I've seen a tendancy to lack of penetration with normal bullets at close-ish ranges. The Partition Noslers performed as usual, violent expansion initially with a 1 1/2 caliber flatnosed bullet continuing on thru the animal. In the 270 against whitetail I would reccommend a load featuring the 130 Partition. Now for the good news. I am in the process of building a 270 on a 721 remeiongton action. Barrel is Douglas XX and I've converted to a DBM format for the magazine assembly.. The stock is a laminated sporter model I picked up in a trade.. Think I make this my all-weather rifle. How about a camo powder coat finish!! OH and by all means try IMR 4831 or 4350.. One of these usually does wonderous things in a 270..

Big Tom · « **Reply #9 on:** January 05, 2004, 05:10:41 PM »

Sounds exciting gunnut! Keep us posted! :eek:

I am definitely going to load some 130 Partitions....hopefully I can get a good accuracy load going so I kill something and do an autopsy!!!! :lol:

I swapped for a Featherweight 70 (.270) last fall and shot a doe with a factory Corelokt 130 at 50 yds. That bullet zipped through and barely changed shape :? She ran 80 yds with a lung shot.....very little blood...and died.
I didn't like that :x I like the HAMMER OF THOR!! when I hit em! :biggun:

old06 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 06, 2004, 01:37:49 AM »

Ive also heard of problems with the Nosler BT but I went on and picked up some 140 work just great. Its my go to bullet in this cal but Ive used Rem 130 Br Pt . and ther ok but I wont pick up any more still have over 150 of them on the bench but did get some 130 Nosler Part and we all know what there about.

huntsman · « **Reply #11 on:** January 06, 2004, 08:25:07 AM »

Big Tom-

Yes, I am shooting a .270 with the core-lokts, and I have never failed to get good exit holes, about nickel-sized, in medium-sized whitetails 100-200 lbs. with both 130 gr and 150 gr. bullets. I NEVER get knockdowns, but I always get good blood trails and sure kills. I have used Federal soft points and gotten mostly knock-downs but seldom an exit hole or blood trail. It is a trade-off; when you expect your bullet to penetrate all the way through, then you can't expect as much knockdown energy, and vice-versa. I like the exit hole and blood trail option, since in my experience you can't always count on a knockdown 100% of the time.

jim · « **Reply #12 on:** January 06, 2004, 08:49:21 AM »

the best load i found for the .270 was 90 grain sierra h.p. they don't move an inch super flat shooting load.

jim

wareagleguy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 06, 2004, 08:50:59 AM »

I spent all summer working on this very load. I loaded for two different 270 and also a 270 WSM. Here is what I came up with getting the best results. I like tight groups first and then work on a good bullet second.

The rifles I had were a Sako Finlight 270, Browning 270 Stalker, and Browning 270 WSM Stalker (Both Abolt II).

The best powder I found worked best was Reloader 19. Worked well in all three but the Sako liked IMR slightly better. I'm not sure on the number but I can find out in my load data if you need it.

The bullets used and performed best were...

Browning 270 - Combind Technology Ballistic TIps (130) grains. This bullet would drive tacks in this gun. I'm talking about 1/4 " groups with a factory Browning.

SAKO 270 - Sierra Gamekings (130) grains. Again, would drive tacks!!!

Browning 270WSM - Sierra Gamekings and Nosler Balistic Tips both in 130 grains. Got a little under one inch groups.

We went on a Colorado hunt which game was killed with all three guns and here were the results...

The Browning using 270 Combined Technology Ballistic Tips failed real bad. One mule deer lost with almost no blood. We know it was a good hit but the deer got away. Second deer shot and had NO blood trail. We got lucky and found the deer. The bullet got almost no penetration.

THe 270 WSM and SAKO using Sierra Gamekings work perfect!

Other bullets tested
Nosler Partitions - average
Hornady Accubond - average
Hornady SP - average
Remington Core Lotks - average
Winchester 154 grains - good/average

Big Tom · « **Reply #14 on:** January 06, 2004, 12:35:46 PM »

Quote from: brdavis

I spent all summer working on this very load. I loaded for two different 270 and also a 270 WSM. Here is what I came up with getting the best results. I like tight groups first and then work on a good bullet second.

The rifles I had were a Sako Finlight 270, Browning 270 Stalker, and Browning 270 WSM Stalker (Both Abolt II).

The best powder I found worked best was Reloader 19. Worked well in all three but the Sako liked IMR slightly better. I'm not sure on the number but I can find out in my load data if you need it.

The bullets used and performed best were...

Browning 270 - Combind Technology Ballistic TIps (130) grains. This bullet would drive tacks in this gun. I'm talking about 1/4 " groups with a factory Browning.

SAKO 270 - Sierra Gamekings (130) grains. Again, would drive tacks!!!

Browning 270WSM - Sierra Gamekings and Nosler Balistic Tips both in 130 grains. Got a little under one inch groups.

We went on a Colorado hunt which game was killed with all three guns and here were the results...

The Browning using 270 Combined Technology Ballistic Tips failed real bad. One mule deer lost with almost no blood. We know it was a good hit but the deer got away. Second deer shot and had NO blood trail. We got lucky and found the deer. The bullet got almost no penetration.

THe 270 WSM and SAKO using Sierra Gamekings work perfect!

Other bullets tested
Nosler Partitions - average
Hornady Accubond - average
Hornady SP - average
Remington Core Lotks - average
Winchester 154 grains - good/average

Thanks "br"!

That is great information! I have had always great groups from ballistic tips but "iffy" penetration. Thats why I am considering Partitions or Interlocks if I go w/130 grains.

Do you think 140 gr Ballistic tips would penetrate and /or hold up a lot better than the 130 gr?

Bubba Jack · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2004, 02:24:51 PM »

I have never shot anything but Hornady SST's 130 grains in my .270. They shoot wonderful in my rifle at the range as well in the woods. My 2 hunting partners shoot them as well. We have killed numerous deer with them over the last 3 years. I can promise you this, If you make a good shot with an sst, it is a dead deer quick. Some will run a little, but you can stand where you shot the deer and see where it fell. Some of the deer have been knocked off there feet and do not even twitch. I guess it depends on a lot of factors how quick an animal dies, but it will die quick.

Been shooting the SST in my 7mm-08 this year with great results as well. The SST is a great hunting bullet. Th eonly time I would not recomend them is using them in heavy cover, need good clear lanes to shoot with them.

Another observation I have is a bad shot means tracking a deer no matter what bullet you are using adn usually means a change in ammo.

Bubba Jack

Siskiyou · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2004, 03:03:20 PM »

I have been reloading for the .270 for over 40 years. It is hard to beat most 150 grain bullets in the .270. If I could have only one bullet it would be a 150 grain bullet. Rated 1 to 10. +7

I started out with the Rem 130 grain bronze pt. because I was a kid and impressed with the velocity. I have killed 10-15 deer with it. I would rate it as a 5.

I then tried the Rem 130 grain CorLock. I killed a number of deer with it and would rate it as a 5.5

The best 130 grain bullet I have tried is the Hornaday 130 Spire Pt. It holds together far better then the other two. I would rate it as 7.

I have used the Hornaday 140 grain on a number of deer. Every shot has been at less then 100 yards and it seems to be on the soft side. One deer flipped over and I was able to see it heels airborne with the 140. Rate as a 6. Best powder with the 140 has been WW785. It has been dropped by Winchester and I will have to go back to working with another powder. I would like to try a couple of other 140's.

Best powder with 130 and 150 grain loads has been H4831.

jackD · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2004, 04:14:48 PM »

I have tried several with mixed results. Ballistic tips have gone thru and had almost no blood trail and had to track it a good ways with a good heart/lung shoot or hit a bone and no exit wound. The deer didn't go more than 100 yards, but I like an exit wound. I have had fair results with core-lokts, spirepoints and a number of others. I really like the a- frames. I shott one this year @ 285 yds, according to the rangefinder, good exit wound, blood trail and went about 30yds. They always seem to do the job.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2004, 04:19:02 PM »

Bug Tom,
Your welcome!

I spent SEVERAL hours this year working loads to find a very accurate round. Like I said I wanted to drive tacks. I must say that the Ballistic Tips were the more accurate. I quit using BT several years ago because of bad performance and really didn't want to use them again. But, those REALLY nice groups just was too much for us to ignore. But after our hunt I will never use a ballistic tip again.

If you just want to use a BT I would suggest going with the heaver BT and keep the speed in the lower ranges. I'm sure that I didn't list all the bullets tried but I know I shot over 4-1/2 pounds of powder finding the right load. Man, I shot almost everyday this last summer.

I have found that the Hornady SP bolttails and Gamekings perform very well for the light bullet range. If you want light and fast I suggest you try these.

Big Tom · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2004, 05:24:19 PM »

Hey BR....I am going to track down some Hornady Interbonds to try also.

I think the Nosler Accubond and the Interbonds are results of trying to keep that accuracy profile with the extreme expansion of a poly tip.

My Hornady book hasn't come yet but with my limited hunting ranges I will probably end up with an accuracy load around 26-2700 fps.

Have you tried the protected spire point styles like the Barnes X ?

Zachary · « **Reply #20 on:** January 07, 2004, 05:55:08 AM »

I have used the Barnes X in several cartridges but have come to the conclusion that they are generally "too strong" for deer.

Don't get me wrong - the Barnes X is one of my favorite bullets - they are accurate - at least in my guns, and they penetrate like heck.

But that's the problem - you don't really need THAT much penetration for deer. It's great for hogs, but too strong for deer.

If you want to use the Barnes X for deer, then I recommend that hunters down size in weight. In other words, if you normally use 150 grain bullets in your .270, then I would shoot 130 grains in the Barnes X. These X bullets need some speed to open up, and the lighter bullets give them that speed, but also give them that 100% weight retention.

Zachary

Big Tom · « **Reply #21 on:** January 07, 2004, 07:02:48 AM »

I know they are pricey...but you could develop a real flat shooting load that will kill long range Muleys or Antelope out west :eek: ....but still be effective here in the midwest on whitetails at 60 yds...with a 130 gr XXX out of the .270.

That could give a guy the best of both worlds. :grin:

Sask_Hunter · « **Reply #22 on:** January 08, 2004, 10:16:13 AM »

if i still a a 270 win i would find a good load with a 120 barnes x. it would shot fast and flat. no need to worry if the deer pops up at 15 feet or 400 yrds that bullet will handle it.

when the 270 was still in the stable i used 150 nolser partions and 140 bts. i also shot a mule deer doe with a big 150gr barnes at a wooping 40 yards and it worked just fine but felt really silly when i learned more about the x bullet.

my dad used a 140 barnes in his 270wby to take a bison and we found on bullet and it had 95% weight retained. i also have a 150 nosler that i recovered from a deer that was shot through the shoulder and just under the spine i cant remember what i weight but i can if need be.

bottom line if i had a 270 win i would top it with the 120 barnes and shoot a lot of critters with it.

Sask_Hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** January 08, 2004, 10:45:16 AM »

the mule deer that i shot took that big barnes right behind the shoulder. a blind vegan could have followed the blood trail to were she was. there was bits of lung and heart along the train and when we got to the doe it had a big hole in the ribs and a nice triangle peice of lung on the out side.

im sure that the bullet may be a little tough for deer but any deer that i have shot with this has all ways had an exit.

if you get in to some big deer like we have here it is nice to know that the bullet that you are shooting will go deep if need be.

lets say if you just shot a monster mule deer and he is close to private land or that 300 foot deep collee that you dont want to drang him out of. he turns and the only shot that you have is a bad angle more that a quartering shot but no up the hop . you need a bullet to go through alot of deer and take out the far shoulder. the barnes will give you that.

one last thing. all the animals that were taken with the barnes had small entrince holes and good sized holes going out. there was little meat damage to it. there was some but if you have ever shot one in the shoulder with a nosler bt you will know what i mean.

good luck and try the barnes be it the blue ones, the ones with the rings or the plain jane ones they work.