A question about bullet selection

[GinSlinger]

(Hoping to not queer the deal here.)

I have been approached to help herd management on a exotic ranch. The offer was to go out for a weekend and harvest doe black bucks and doe axis as well as any hogs seen. This has got me thinking that with the disparity of game weight that I would see, how does one choose the proper ammunition?

I have a savage .270 and typically shoot 130gr bullets (while hunting). I have been warned to step up to at least 150gr for hogs (expect to see hogs in the 200+lb range). However, I am also concerned with 130gr performance in game as small as a black buck (80lbs).

Is this anything to be concerned about? Should I just stick with the 130gr? I don't have the $$ to purchase a .243 or such for black buck and use the .270 for the other (the only other suggestion I have gotten).

As always here, thanks in advance,


GinSlinger

 

[Art Eatman]

Since you never can know what will show up when, I'd just go with the 150-grain bullets and not worry. They might not expand quite as much in the deer as a 130-grain, but that's a trivial issue. It seems to me to be more important to get the better penetration in a hog...

And you won't have to worry about different points of aim/impact.

, Art

 

[critter]

I'd prolly use the 130 in a Nosler Partition. Quick expansion of the nose, plenty left for penetration. Have fun!

 

[Art Eatman]

critter, it's not known if GinSlinger loads his own. Are the Noslers available as factory ammo?

A 130-grain premium bullet would most likely give as good penetration as a garden-variety 150, I imagine.

Art

 

[GinSlinger]

I do handload, so that is an option. However, the best factory ammo from my rifle has been the Winchester Supereme Ballistic Silvertip (Nosler BTBT130gr) which consistently shhots two touching holes four shot groups at 100yds, and sub 1.5" at 200. I am very comfortable with this load and know what it will do. Are we suggesting that this load would be a good one for my situation? I am concerned about the ballistic tip performance on something as small as a black buck doe, but am more concerned with anchoring a hog if the shot presents itself.

I have been handloading Sierra Gameking 130gr with nearly the same performance as above. And I have a box of Nosler Ballistic Tips (130gr) that I have not yet worked up a load for.

Winchester offers 150gr in Partition Gold and Power Point, as well as a 140 gr loading using Fail Safe all of which are Nosler Bullets. If I need to move up in weight, which aspect of these should I be looking for, rapid expansion or controlled, etc. I am trying to learn to choose ammo for all future situations I might find myself in, so any and all help is very welcome.

Thanks,
GinSlinger

 

[Dr.Rob]

Black bucks are no bigger than antelope and the 150 gr game king WILL expand on them with a solid kill shot.

Have a buddy who has killed antelope and wild boar with a 270 loaded with 150gr bullets. Avoid 'ballistic tips" for hogs as the plastic cap is merely an aerodynamic cover to a big hollwpoint. You won't get the penetration you need on a hog.