.270 ?

JKump · November 12, 2008, 12:50 PM

A friend of mine just got a Ruger Mk77 .270 for deer hunting. He bought two boxes of Federal Fusion ammo 130 grain and the 150 grain. Which one will be better for deer hunting? I hunt with a 308 and could not give any advice, however, I have heard the 130 grain is the way to go. Any comments either way.

Daryl · November 12, 2008, 01:15 PM

Either bullet weight will work fine.

I always prefered the 130's when I used a .270 Win. The shoot a little faster, and a little flatter.

Daryl

Water-Man · November 12, 2008, 01:17 PM

Both work well.

YARDDOG(1) · November 12, 2008, 03:06 PM

130 wqrks best IMO

taylorce1 · November 12, 2008, 03:31 PM

My take on it was use 130 for deer and smaller, and use 150's for elk. That has served me well in the past when I used the .270 for elk. Truthfully use the ammunition that groups the best regardless of weight. Bambi will not know what grain of bullet that was used.

bullspotter · November 12, 2008, 03:43 PM

I shoot the 130 out of my 270. Great weight, Never needed a 150gr bullet for anything i hunt, even elk. Not saying a 150 is a bad choice though, I just like the 130s. I shoot the same loads for everything i hunt with my 270.

Doyle · November 12, 2008, 04:31 PM

Shoot the one that works best in your gun. In my Win '70 .270, I can shoot Remington 130 PSP and Federal Classic 130 PSP interchangably (same point of impact). Winchester 130's group equally well, but the point of impact is several inches off from the other two therefore they are not interchangeable (I would have to rezero the scope).

However, if I load up 150's, my groups suddenly start looking more like something a shotgun would shoot. It just doesn't like 150's.

Stiofan · November 12, 2008, 04:41 PM

My rifle is pretty accurate with both but I pretty much keep to 130g now. The .270 made it's reputation on flat shooting 130, and it used the round's ballistics to it's advantage.

If I was only going out for Moose or even elk, I'd probably re-sight in for 150. For an all around bullet, 130 is probably best though.

FrankenMauser · November 12, 2008, 04:55 PM

Some .270 Winchester barrels have a hard time stabilizing 150 grain bullets.
Most barrels have a hard time with anything over 150 grains.
The 1:10" (common) rate of twist is optimal for 120-140 grain projectiles.

For deer, 130 grain bullets will be just fine.

TheNatureBoy · November 12, 2008, 05:12 PM

Based on everything I've ever read about the .270, it performs very well when a 130 grain pill is used.

The Terminator · November 12, 2008, 05:48 PM

Another reason that the 130's work better on small deer, whitetail, is that the copper jacket is thinner on the bullet, making the bullet less likely to pass through the deer, and more likely to expand on the thin skinned, smaller deer.

The reverse is true for the 150 grain loads, thicker copper jacket will penetrate deeper and expand more slowly, making it better suited for larger deer, such as elk.

This, from one of my books by Jack O'Connor. I don't believe just anything because a gun writer says it, but, he was a hunter who wrote from his own experiences. Best -

unlearned69 · November 17, 2008, 11:04 AM

My wife, mother, and I have had great success with 130 grain projectiles. My mother shot a massive bull elk last year, and the 130 grain pill did jiust fine.

metalheadlead · November 23, 2008, 01:05 PM

my opinion, the 130 psp has more velocity and energy, fits the .270 well-use it. had no problem taking 240lb. Pa. buck last season at 130+ yards.

Dallas Jack · November 23, 2008, 01:45 PM

I've had good luck with the 130 grain soft point. (I think my gun likes the 130 over the 150)
Dallas Jack

jdscholer · November 23, 2008, 05:38 PM

I've got an old Ruger 77 in 270, and have shot several elk with it. I always reloaded Speer 130 gr. boat-tails. They kill elk ded, but never seem to exit. I like a bullet to expand and exit for that gory red blood trail to follow.
So, I got some Speer 150 gr. Grand Slams. Shot a big cow about 100 yds. out. Still no exit. The hide on an elk must stretch like rubber on the far side. I almost always find the bullet right under the skin. Maybe I expect too much. The elk all died within a reasonable distance and except for the blood trail thing I've got no complaints. btw 56 and 55 gr. IMR 4831, CCI 200's. jd

ActivShootr · November 23, 2008, 06:41 PM

Every deer I have shot with 130gr .270 has dropped dead in it's tracks.

Buzzcook · November 24, 2008, 01:08 AM

Take both rounds to the range. Hunt with the one that groups better.

November 12, 2008, 12:50 PM	#1
JKump Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 1998 Location: Middle Georgia Posts: 428	.270 ? A friend of mine just got a Ruger Mk77 .270 for deer hunting. He bought two boxes of Federal Fusion ammo 130 grain and the 150 grain. Which one will be better for deer hunting? I hunt with a 308 and could not give any advice, however, I have heard the 130 grain is the way to go. Any comments either way. __________________ Live everyday as if it is your last! Because someday you will be right. "Everyone has a game plan until they get punched in the mouth".

November 12, 2008, 03:06 PM	#4
YARDDOG(1) Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: GATOR COUNTRY HA HA HA! Posts: 721	130 wqrks best IMO __________________ There's a GATOR in the bushes & She's Callin my name >Molly Hatchett<

November 12, 2008, 05:48 PM	#11
The Terminator Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2002 Location: Georgia, 35 miles Northwest of the armpit Posts: 946	Another reason that the 130's work better on small deer, whitetail, is that the copper jacket is thinner on the bullet, making the bullet less likely to pass through the deer, and more likely to expand on the thin skinned, smaller deer. The reverse is true for the 150 grain loads, thicker copper jacket will penetrate deeper and expand more slowly, making it better suited for larger deer, such as elk. This, from one of my books by Jack O'Connor. I don't believe just anything because a gun writer says it, but, he was a hunter who wrote from his own experiences. Best - __________________ The Terminator John 3:16 (I hope to see You over there.)

November 23, 2008, 05:38 PM	#15
jdscholer Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 1,197	I've got an old Ruger 77 in 270, and have shot several elk with it. I always reloaded Speer 130 gr. boat-tails. They kill elk ded, but never seem to exit. I like a bullet to expand and exit for that gory red blood trail to follow. So, I got some Speer 150 gr. Grand Slams. Shot a big cow about 100 yds. out. Still no exit. The hide on an elk must stretch like rubber on the far side. I almost always find the bullet right under the skin. Maybe I expect too much. The elk all died within a reasonable distance and except for the blood trail thing I've got no complaints. btw 56 and 55 gr. IMR 4831, CCI 200's. jd __________________ "We're all dummies, just in different ways." Old Okie Philosopher

November 12, 2008, 01:15 PM	#2
Daryl Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2008 Posts: 2,350	Either bullet weight will work fine. I always prefered the 130's when I used a .270 Win. The shoot a little faster, and a little flatter. Daryl

November 12, 2008, 01:17 PM	#3
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	Both work well.

November 12, 2008, 03:31 PM	#5
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,242	My take on it was use 130 for deer and smaller, and use 150's for elk. That has served me well in the past when I used the .270 for elk. Truthfully use the ammunition that groups the best regardless of weight. Bambi will not know what grain of bullet that was used.

November 12, 2008, 03:43 PM	#6
bullspotter Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 308	I shoot the 130 out of my 270. Great weight, Never needed a 150gr bullet for anything i hunt, even elk. Not saying a 150 is a bad choice though, I just like the 130s. I shoot the same loads for everything i hunt with my 270.

November 12, 2008, 04:31 PM	#7
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Shoot the one that works best in your gun. In my Win '70 .270, I can shoot Remington 130 PSP and Federal Classic 130 PSP interchangably (same point of impact). Winchester 130's group equally well, but the point of impact is several inches off from the other two therefore they are not interchangeable (I would have to rezero the scope). However, if I load up 150's, my groups suddenly start looking more like something a shotgun would shoot. It just doesn't like 150's.

November 12, 2008, 04:41 PM	#8
Stiofan Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2006 Location: Panhandle, Idaho Posts: 714	My rifle is pretty accurate with both but I pretty much keep to 130g now. The .270 made it's reputation on flat shooting 130, and it used the round's ballistics to it's advantage. If I was only going out for Moose or even elk, I'd probably re-sight in for 150. For an all around bullet, 130 is probably best though.

November 12, 2008, 04:55 PM	#9
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Some .270 Winchester barrels have a hard time stabilizing 150 grain bullets. Most barrels have a hard time with anything over 150 grains. The 1:10" (common) rate of twist is optimal for 120-140 grain projectiles. For deer, 130 grain bullets will be just fine.

November 12, 2008, 05:12 PM	#10
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	Based on everything I've ever read about the .270, it performs very well when a 130 grain pill is used.

November 17, 2008, 11:04 AM	#12
unlearned69 Member Join Date: January 24, 2006 Posts: 15	My wife, mother, and I have had great success with 130 grain projectiles. My mother shot a massive bull elk last year, and the 130 grain pill did jiust fine.

November 23, 2008, 01:05 PM	#13
metalheadlead Member Join Date: February 10, 2008 Location: Western Pa. Posts: 21	my opinion, the 130 psp has more velocity and energy, fits the .270 well-use it. had no problem taking 240lb. Pa. buck last season at 130+ yards.

November 23, 2008, 01:45 PM	#14
Dallas Jack Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 386	I've had good luck with the 130 grain soft point. (I think my gun likes the 130 over the 150) Dallas Jack

November 23, 2008, 06:41 PM	#16
ActivShootr Senior Member Join Date: August 15, 2007 Posts: 1,040	Every deer I have shot with 130gr .270 has dropped dead in it's tracks.

November 24, 2008, 01:08 AM	#17
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Take both rounds to the range. Hunt with the one that groups better.