Best .270 round for elk

[USN_Sam1385]

I will be going elk hunting in Wyoming next October. I plan on taking my bolt action .270 with me. I currently use the Hornady 130 Gr. SST bullets on white tails. It puts them down in their shadow. I am thinking of using a 140 Gr. SST High Performance bullet when I go elk hunting. Any ideas?? Anyone have recommendations or personal experience? Please let me know. THANKS

[marshall9779]

I would go with a heavier bullet and one that is bonded/controlled expansion if you can. I think 150 gr is probably the heaviest you'll find for a 270 round.

[CB on the run]

ORIGINAL: marshall9779

I would go with a heavier bullet and one that is bonded/controlled expansion if you can. I think 150 gr is probably the heaviest you'll find for a 270 round.

+1

[PrairieShadow]

SST is not a good elk bullet, to explosive. If i were going to be using a .270 on elk the only bullet i'd consider would be a 150 barnes TSX

[USN_Sam1385]

ORIGINAL: PrairieShadow

SST is not a good elk bullet, to explosive. If i were going to be using a .270 on elk the only bullet i'd consider would be a 150 barnes TSX

My friend's mother, whom I am going with, has used a .270 for elk the past 15 years. Never had a problem whatsoever. Should ask her what kind of round she uses...

[PrairieShadow]

Sam, I wasnt trying to say a .270 isnt an acceptable elk cartridge. Although it wouldnt be at the top of my list for elk, if a good controlled explansion bullet is used you should be able to pound through a heavy shoulder with little problem.

I used the 130SST this year for the first time on deer out of my .270wsm and shot 2 deer with it, one at 165yds the other about 150. i found the jackets of both bullets when i was butchering without any lead core to be found, basically zero weight retention.

Personally i like a bullet that has at least 75% weight retention on deer sized game and bigger. I believe federal load the Barnes TSX bullets in their premium line. Otherwise i think you have to hand load them..

[USN_Sam1385]

ORIGINAL: PrairieShadow

Sam, I wasnt trying to say a .270 isnt an acceptable elk cartridge. Although it wouldnt be at the top of my list for elk, if a good controlled explansion bullet is used you should be able to pound through a heavy shoulder with little problem.

I used the 130SST this year for the first time on deer out of my .270wsm and shot 2 deer with it, one at 165yds the other about 150. i found the jackets of both bullets when i was butchering without any lead core to be found, basically zero weight retention.

Personally i like a bullet that has at least 75% weight retention on deer sized game and bigger. I believe federal load the Barnes TSX bullets in their premium line. Otherwise i think you have to hand load them..

Alright boss. Opinion question for you. Looking at the Federal line of bullets, they do have the Barnes TSX,  but only in 130 grain. Would you recommend the TSX in 130, or maybe a 150 gr. in Nosler Partition, or bonded.

Here is a link to all of the .270 rounds that Federal has. Would you take a gander and pick your recommendation for elk:

http://www.federalpremium.com/products/rifle.aspx

[berudd]

Ok, I have no Elk experience but I do hunt with a .270. I think the original 150 load was aimed at those that felt the 130 wasted to much meat. So I equate that to less energy on target. I have not really done a ton of research on the 150 loads that are available as the 130s are perfect for the whitetails I hunt. However, Elk is in the back of my mind as I may get a chance to hunt them next year. Have you thought about the 140 loads that are available? They seem to carry a lot of energy downrange. I would what ever load delivers the most energy with a bullet designed for game of this size. There, that answers it perfectly, right?

[PrairieShadow]

I would have to lean towards the 150 partition or the 150 trophy bonded bear claw. Neither one of these are designed to retain as much weight as the barnes bullets are but my experiences with the partition have been between 60%-80% retention.

I havent personally used the TBBC but from the construction of the bullet i would think it would be right in the same neighborhood s the Partition.

[PrairieShadow]

Berudd,

Im not sure if the 150 was actually aimed at saving meat but it will actually have more energy than a 130. The reason that it destroys less meat is that the heavier bullets have thicker jackets which keeps them from fragmenting inside. Higher weight retention equals greater penetration which could certainly be an issue with a .270 on elk. Thats why I feel the 150 is better suited for elk.

ORIGINAL: berudd

Ok, I have no Elk experience but I do hunt with a .270. I think the original 150 load was aimed at those that felt the 130 wasted to much meat. So I equate that to less energy on target. I have not really done a ton of research on the 150 loads that are available as the 130s are perfect for the whitetails I hunt. However, Elk is in the back of my mind as I may get a chance to hunt them next year. Have you thought about the 140 loads that are available? They seem to carry a lot of energy downrange. I would what ever load delivers the most energy with a bullet designed for game of this size. There, that answers it perfectly, right?