270 Win: 130gr or 140gr?

[pbrktrt]

I'm just looking for some feedback from hunters & shooters of this round. What do you find better and why? Game is Mich whitetail but it would apply anywhere. TIA

[cornbush]

I use both, 130's for deer and antelope most of the time, used 140 SST's this year on 2 antelope.
I go up to a 140 for Elk, but a good strong 130 like a partion would not be out of the question.
My favorite Elk bullet is no longer, the 140 Failsafe.

[taylorce1]

I like the 130 grain bullet for deer and pronghorn. For elk I prefer the 150 grain Nosler Partition. If you are looking for one bullet to do it all in the .270 err on the side of caution and use the heaveir bullets.

[gedenke]

I've been pushing a 150gr Barnes TSX. Better grouping (in my gun) and man, what an impressive bullet. It's a little pricey but I feel it's worth it given the way it performs....3 elk, 2 bears, and a blacktail. Didn't have to track ANY of them (one elk did go about 30yds though). However, Barnes does recommend "1:9.5 twist or faster". Mine's a 1:10 and shoots just fine.

[FrankenMauser]

130s for everything.
140s are useful.
I have some 150s loaded for Elk, but they won't be replaced when they're gone (I'll go to a tougher 130-140 gr bullet {Partition, Scirocco, A-Frame, etc} or 110 gr TSX.)

My rifle doesn't like 160s; so they aren't an option.

Eventually, I plan for my .270 to only be shooting 130 grain projectiles. It makes it much easier to predict performance (drop, windage, etc.). I just have to exhaust my supply of 150s and 140s first (and there are a lot of 140s...).

[hooligan1]

130's for almost anything, but when Elk is mentioned people tend to jump up to 140-150, A partition in either of these should do nicely! I have never Elk hunted, when I do get my chance, I be carrying to camp, a Savage 110 .270 win, and I'll feed it a few 140 gr partitions. I also have a 7mm rem mag, I could also bring this rifle with, and maybe feed it some 154 -162 grainers! good luck, whatever you choose, just be Damn perofficient with it!!

[Crankylove]

I shoot mostly 130 grain (and some 100 HP's) on just about everything with my .270. I do have an excellent load for some 140 grain Ballistic Tips that I have used on Antelope the last 3 years.........but not because I wanted a heavier bullet, more because my rifle will shoot 5/8" groups all day long with that load. I think 130's are the ideal for the .270, (but I do have some 140 grain Partitions for the .270 as a back up to the .358 on the Elk hunt this year) although I have shot bullets from 100 grains up to 160's with acceptable accuracy and range.........if I am gonna shoot the heavier bullets regularly, I will just move up to my '06 or .358 Winchester.

[Jimro]

Use the one that is most accurate from your rifle.

Jimro

[Fat White Boy]

I use Corelokt 130gr's in my .270 M70. I have taken pigs up to 220 pounds at 200 yards with them...

[IDAHO83501]

Use a good 130 gr. and that is all you will need for deer,elk,or even moose. Hit where you are aiming with a good 130 gr. A .270 is good for all you would hunt except a griz.

[pbrktrt]

Thanks for the info you have all provided. I've been shooting both in Hornady sst Superformance and it's a tough call as they both shoot so well. I think I will go with the general consensus and use the 130gr again this year.

[419]

Can't really go wrong with either IMHO.

[BIG P]

HORNADY SST 130's pop'em & flop'em.NO blood trail needed most of the time
DRT.High shoulder.

[.300 Weatherby Mag]

Whichever your rifle prefers... You can get a properly contructed bullet in either weight...

[jimbob86]

Niether.

150's (SGK BTSP) launch a bit slower, but higher BC means they retain velocity better. They have more energy (100 f/lbs at 400 yards) than 130 SGK's ..... 250-300 more than a flat based 130gr bullet.

They have the mass to do the job at short range, yet are soft enough to expand at long range, when velocity has dropped.....

..... but most importantly, I found a load using them that groups well at max velocity in MY rifle.

[mete]

The 130 is very damaging at shorter ranges ,even at 100 yds ! Spectatular kills perhaps but much meat ruined .
I agree with Jimbob, the 150 will do it all without the problems !

[roklok]

130 grain SST is my choice, high BC, and holds together well. I shot a ram with my .270 with the 130 SST at 3200 FPS MV this year at 584 yards. The ram dropped at the shot, through the shoulders, bullet passed clear through.

I do load 150 Grand Slams for grizzly and moose though.

[RaySendero]

jimbob86:


Neither.

150's (SGK BTSP) launch a bit slower, but higher BC means they retain velocity better. They have more energy (100 f/lbs at 400 yards) than 130 SGK's ..... 250-300 more than a flat based 130gr bullet.

They have the mass to do the job at short range, yet are soft enough to expand at long range, when velocity has dropped.....

..... but most importantly, I found a load using them that groups well at max velocity in MY rifle.

Ditto!!!

My 270 likes the 150 SGKs over IMR-4350. All shots from 80 to 280 yds on deer and hogs have been 1 shot kills with complete pass-thrus!

[taylorce1]

110-150 grains doesn't make a difference on what you use at normal hunting ranges as long as you use a properly constructed bullet for the task at hand. Yes 150 grain have a higher BC than 130 and 140 grain but most people don't hunt at ranges long enough to take advantage of the higher BC of the 150 grain bullet. Out at 500 yards you are only talking less than 100 ft-lbs of energy and 5" difference in trajectory between a 130 grain at 3060 fps and a 150 grain at 2830 fps using Sierra GK data from Federal's web site. The 130 wins out IMO becuase of the flatter trajectory, not that I make a habit at hunting deer at 500 yards.

[hooligan1]

Roklok, how do you like the consistantcy of the 130gr Hornady SST?? I have used Corelokt's because my son shoots 'em in his Handi-rifle..

[Palmetto-Pride]

I have always used 130gr Hornady Interbonds with great success, very rarely do I have to go look for a deer.

[skydiver3346]

Have tested numerous mfg's of .270 ammo (130-150 grains) in my Blaser R93.
Without question, the 130 grain Accubond cartridge from Nosler Custom Ammo is the best bullet I have ever shot, period, (accuracy/dependablity).
Have taken numerous whitetails and other game with zero problems. Most were closer shots (150 yards or closer) but all were fatal shots and quick kills.
Bottom line: Shot placement is king, no matter what bullet or caliber you are shooting.....

[rugerfreak]

Use the one that is most accurate from your rifle.

Jimro




Ding ding ding----We have a winner

[jimbob86]

The 130 is very damaging at shorter ranges ,even at 100 yds ! Spectatular kills perhaps but much meat ruined .

Placement, as is so often said, IS everything.......

.... putting a light, fast bullet through the high shoulder results in bullet fragments and bone fragments ripping through some good meat- wrecking the blade roasts, cube roll, and chuck.... if you want to actually EAT what you hunt, as opposed to just KILL SOMETHING ...... and before you say you are going to bone out and grind all that anyway, who wants bullet and bone fragments, hair, etc. in their burger or sausage?

If you put your bullet a bit lower, even if it does blow up (entirely probable with the SGK's at under 100 yards) it'll only fragment inside the chest cavity, ruining oly those "absolutely scrumptious" lungs.... and if your bullet is doing 2900 as opposed to 3100 f/sec, it'll be less prone to blowing up. If it has more mass, it will resist coming apart better, too.

..... as for those spendy "bonded" bullets and the partitions: Don't shoot a deer with one of those unless he is broadside, as even out of a 30/30, at under 100 yards: these bullets will go through a deer lengthwise, making field dressing a "crappy" job.

[jimbob86]

I understand that some folks like the dramatic instant "DRT" shot from a high velocity plastic tipped bullet through the high shoulder..... and that a lungshot deer may run up to 100 yards after being hit..... but they are just as dead in 30 seconds, and the meat is a whole lot more edible.....

..... so, unless my target animal is standing on a cliff over fast moving water (which is unpossible where I hunt), I'll put it through their boiler room.