270 Elk Load
- Thread starter shaggy430
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41 Mag
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I would look hard at the Nosler Accubond in 140gr. He will be able to get a tad more velocity than from a 150gr bullet and have more retained weight than the 130's.
I personally have never shot an elk, but know and hunt with folks who have. They used a variety of calibers and bullets through the years and none were any of the so called premiums. They all seemed to haul meat home from every trip and the only magnum used was a 264, years ago, and that load was with a 120gr bullet. Most of them use a 270 or 30-06, with bullets going from 130grs to 180grs using what ever shot best in the rifles. Most of their shots are within 200yds or less, with the majority being around 100 or so.
Good luck in your hunt, have fun and be safe. One thing they always said about their trips, it was always easier to start high and hunt down the mountain, easier on them and getting the game out. Also consider where your at before dropping the hammer. If you can't pack it out from where it hits the ground, it isn't worth shooting.
Just some tidbits from folks who have done it for the past 25 years or so.
I personally have never shot an elk, but know and hunt with folks who have. They used a variety of calibers and bullets through the years and none were any of the so called premiums. They all seemed to haul meat home from every trip and the only magnum used was a 264, years ago, and that load was with a 120gr bullet. Most of them use a 270 or 30-06, with bullets going from 130grs to 180grs using what ever shot best in the rifles. Most of their shots are within 200yds or less, with the majority being around 100 or so.
Good luck in your hunt, have fun and be safe. One thing they always said about their trips, it was always easier to start high and hunt down the mountain, easier on them and getting the game out. Also consider where your at before dropping the hammer. If you can't pack it out from where it hits the ground, it isn't worth shooting.
Just some tidbits from folks who have done it for the past 25 years or so.
Do you know how far that you might be shooting?
The 140gr AB has been a great elk bullet for me out to 400yds.
The 140gr TSX is another good bullet that some folks have used with success on elk. I didn't draw a tag last year and cannot tell you from personal experience how it performs on elk. It does group well on my 300yd targets and the 130 TSX works very well on large whitetail.
I also have some Nosler 150gr Combined Technology BST (51100) that shoot very well in my 270. I plan to use them some day. They shoot great and a friend of mine has done very well with them. I would probably stick to 300 yds with the 150s.
The 140gr AB has been a great elk bullet for me out to 400yds.
The 140gr TSX is another good bullet that some folks have used with success on elk. I didn't draw a tag last year and cannot tell you from personal experience how it performs on elk. It does group well on my 300yd targets and the 130 TSX works very well on large whitetail.
I also have some Nosler 150gr Combined Technology BST (51100) that shoot very well in my 270. I plan to use them some day. They shoot great and a friend of mine has done very well with them. I would probably stick to 300 yds with the 150s.
interlock
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I think both of the bullets you mention will be fine. they are bothe tough premium bullets designed for the job and .270 win is a great platform for this at normal hunting ranges.
I live in Idaho and have hunted elk for 30 years. I used to use a 7rem mag with noslers and then switched to barnes x bullets. The noslers worked fine but I really liked the barnes...they mushroom better and do not blow apart when it is a close shot. I now hunt with a 300 win mag and continue to use the barnes x bullets. They all kill the elk I just like the barnes better. They also beat the ballistics charts out to 300 yards ( they drop less) Some will fault me for the following but I will tell you to not wait for the "perfect" shot or your chances of bagging an elk will be greatly diminished. It is pc to talk about heart shots and "hitting them in the boiler room" etc. Elk are incredible runners and breaking their front shoulder or rear are the quickest way to put them down. Do not make a risky shot but if you can drop one do it immediately. I love hunting them cause they are so smart. Good luck.
higene
Member
270 load for elk
If Light magnums by Hornady are too spendy, try 60 grains of 4831 sc under a 150 gr premium bullet. Clocks 3000 or 3100 depending on barrel length. You might want to sneak up on that load. It flattens primers an is one toke over the line.
Uncle Henry says "Just shoot 'em with what you got. If they're gettin' away, go to more gun." (or more bullet or more powder)
Higene
If Light magnums by Hornady are too spendy, try 60 grains of 4831 sc under a 150 gr premium bullet. Clocks 3000 or 3100 depending on barrel length. You might want to sneak up on that load. It flattens primers an is one toke over the line.
Uncle Henry says "Just shoot 'em with what you got. If they're gettin' away, go to more gun." (or more bullet or more powder)
Higene
BENELLIMONTE
member
2 different factory loads I have used when hunting Idaho for cow or bull elk with my Tikka T3 in 270 Win: (1) Federal Premium High Energy 140 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw. (2) Federal Premium Vital - Shok 150 grain Nosler Partition.
Good luck on your hunt next fall.
Good luck on your hunt next fall.
Don't compromise accuracy
Don't forget about accuracy. Your rifle will tell you what it likes. My Rem 700 is most accurate with 130 grain, pretty good with 140 grain, falls off with 150 grain, and is almost embarrassing at 160 grain. I know elk gets you excited about heavier bullets, but I always go with my accuracy load, which helps ensure that your shot placement is vital.
Nos Partition is good stuff. High jacket-to-copper ratio, made for heavier game.
But truth be told, there is nothing wrong with any premium heavy game bullet, as long as you rifle shoots it accurately.
My 700 shoots best with IMR4350.
Don't forget about accuracy. Your rifle will tell you what it likes. My Rem 700 is most accurate with 130 grain, pretty good with 140 grain, falls off with 150 grain, and is almost embarrassing at 160 grain. I know elk gets you excited about heavier bullets, but I always go with my accuracy load, which helps ensure that your shot placement is vital.
Nos Partition is good stuff. High jacket-to-copper ratio, made for heavier game.
But truth be told, there is nothing wrong with any premium heavy game bullet, as long as you rifle shoots it accurately.
My 700 shoots best with IMR4350.
ArchAngelCD
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Shoney
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I have harvested a good number of elk over the years. I have seen friends and family take about a dozen elk with a 270. I prefer the 300WinMag, as most of my elk have been taken with it. I have also harvested several elk with a 30-06.
Later in the season when there used to be snow in November, I would hunt for trophy deer. Elk will occasionally move into those areas. My favorite deer rifle has always been a custom built 6mmRem. Although I’m not advocating the 6mmRem as an elk rifle, I have taken 5 elk with it using 100gr Nosler Partitions, all one shot kills.
Yaah! I’ve heard a lot of negative criticism from ballistic experts with no practical field experience, but I can tell you that the 6mm with 100gr Partitions put down elk every bit as well as my 06. The key is ethical shot placement. The human elk induced adrenaline rush is pretty high, and must be controlled. I have seen seasoned deer hunters shaking so badly with excitement, that they missed 50 yard shots.
There is nothing wrong with using a 140/150 grain 270 to hunt elk as long as the shooter can hit a small target during the excitement.
Later in the season when there used to be snow in November, I would hunt for trophy deer. Elk will occasionally move into those areas. My favorite deer rifle has always been a custom built 6mmRem. Although I’m not advocating the 6mmRem as an elk rifle, I have taken 5 elk with it using 100gr Nosler Partitions, all one shot kills.
Yaah! I’ve heard a lot of negative criticism from ballistic experts with no practical field experience, but I can tell you that the 6mm with 100gr Partitions put down elk every bit as well as my 06. The key is ethical shot placement. The human elk induced adrenaline rush is pretty high, and must be controlled. I have seen seasoned deer hunters shaking so badly with excitement, that they missed 50 yard shots.
There is nothing wrong with using a 140/150 grain 270 to hunt elk as long as the shooter can hit a small target during the excitement.
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