Can I hunt Elk with a .270?

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Gasitman

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So here is the deal, I have not hunted in years, well since I had shoulder surgery. I had a browning 300 win mag and it tore the <deleted -- Sam> out of me. I am not a fan of mule deer, I think they taste like dog <deleted -- Sam>. I may do some black tail around enumclaw or something, but my main goal is to go elk hunting. I applied for a disability permit that allows me a few advantages, like hunting from my quad, and getting me a key for the gates on Talbot and pope and Weyerhaeuser properties. I can not be climbing all over the place and the permit allowing me to use my quad is a god send.

Anyways, I want something light, something that will not kill me to sight in after 20 or so rounds. Will a 150gr, barnes .270 bullet do the trick? Inquiring minds want to know.
 
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i dont know about elk but a remington 7600 in 270 might be a good gun, or possibly a browning BLR in 270...i had one in 243 that i loved
 
I really liked my Ruger No. 1 in .270, but I sold it because I do not hunt.

I could hit a pie plate at 100 yards off hand with a 4X scope. Not spectacular, but I did not practice much and I never measured my groups.
 
Absolutely. There are people who will probably tell you that you can't, but they are wrong. I've shot numerous elk with 150gr bullets from a 30-06, and two elk with a 150gr bullet from a 300 savage. I've seen two elk killed with a 270 shooting 150gr bullets. You don't need big magnum cartridges shooting heavy bullets to kill elk, you just need to hit them well. Plenty of elk are killed with 270's every year. Keep your shots to distances you can accurately shoot and you'll kill elk with your 270. Good luck!
 
So is a muzzle break key? I am looking at a savage with the accustock, and accutrigger. It also has a muzzle break, I am wondering if a 7mm mag with a break will be less of a recoil?

I know the rifle is a different thread, but for right now I need to figure out if the round is good. I load my own, so I can get a Barnes bullet that I am told is the best hunting round you can buy.
 
Sure you can.
Your bullet selection is good also. If you're going to use a standard caliber, make sure you've got a bullet that will hold together and penetrate well. No fast expanding stuff that looses weight.
Barnes TSX, Nosler Partition, Swift A-Frame. Something like that, and you'll be fine. I wouldn't take any long quartering shots or anything, but if you know the limitations of your rifle, you'll be fine. But that applies whether the caliber is standard or magnum.
Happy hunting.
 
270 will work fine on elk. Put a muzzle brake on it and you will barely notice the recoil. It will kick like a .223.
 
So what rifle would you recommend then for longer range shooting, I imagine 400 yards would be the most, but around the 200 yard mark. I am really leaning towards a savage with a accu trigger and an accu stock. Seems to me Savage has come a long way in the last few years.
 
Yep a .270 with a decent bullet makes a fine elk round. And of course like all other rounds it is only capable within it's useful limits.

400 yards is getting out there for any round. Try to get closer you'll find that you get a heck of a lot more one shot clean kills if you try to close to 200 yards before firing. If there is any wind I like to be 200 yards or closer no wind and I feel comfortable at 300 only on a very special day do I think 400 is a good idea and beyond that you need some special equipment to make it happen.
 
I don't know anything about barnes bullets. I personally killed 2 elk with my .270 1 was with a 140 gr. nosler accubond and the other was with a 150 gr. nosler partition. the pics are on THR somewhere. I shoot mine with a slip on recoil pad and it is not bad at all and I'm like 130#'s. When I hunt I take off the recoiil pad. Jeff
 
Gasitman, the 30/06 and the 270 have nearly identical recoil, however, the energy and range both projectiles offer is different. The 30/06 is superior. Put a brake on the muzzle and you have very manageable recoil. Beware though, if you don't have ear plugs you will quickly understand how loud a rifle becomes with a brake. It is not healthy for you ear drums, remember that. Personally, I'd rather deal with the recoil. The weight of your rifle also will play a major roll in recoil. The lighter the rifle, the more felt recoil.

As for the projectile (assuming 30/06), I would not go with anything less than a 165gr bullet for elk. If you happen to get the opportunity, don't sell yourself short with a lighter bullet. Can you kill an Elk with a 270, 130gr? Of course. Would it be my first choice, it sure wouldn't! My favorite bullet for hunting is the Hornady GMX's. They have a good BC and are devastating on big game. Barnes TSX, TTSX, MRX, Nosler Partition, E-Tip,Hornady SST, Berger VLD hunting, are all exceptional.

As for the rifle, they all are competing right now for business and all are doing their best to provide accurate rifles. It all depends on what you want to spend. I'm tired of hearing Savage is more accurate than Remington. My Remington puts 7 shots in one hole and I've posted the results. I've put three shots in a hole nearly the circumference of the bullet. What should I call that .15 moa? For the money, I really like the Howa 1500. I've never been a fan of these rifles, but I am now. I think a lot of people underestimate the importance of how a rifle "fits" its user. These rifles are VERY comfortable and are rated for 1.5 moa. Your choice of the Savage w/'accustock and accutrigger is a great rifle also.
 
to answer the question about losing accuracy with a semi... it depends on the semi. For instance, BAR's get rave reviews while Remingtons get mixed reviews on both accuracy and durability. I have neither, but I think that illustrates my point. The fact remains, a semi will greatly reduce the recoil that makes it to your shoulder.
 
There is not a hooved animal in the US that I would not confidently hunt with a 270.

That said, a 270 is far from light recoiling... if you have shoulder problems, you will still have to take other recoil reducing measures. Also, I would NOT recommend the 7600 in any long-action cartridge.
 
Most guides will tell you that a big percentage of their clients use the .270Win and it takes down elk about as well as the bigger boys. The key, of course, is bullet placement and if you flinch with a 300 Ultra-Mega-SuperKickAss-Whooper-Macho Light wt cannon then all of that power just hits a tree in the next zipcode and the elk goes on to live another day.
Which Barnes are you thinking? Nosler's "Partition" has a 50 year track record of being a supurb elk bullet.
 
If the Swedes use the 6.5 x 55 for moose and the Canucks use the .303 Brit on elk and moose, then the .270 Win can do it much better.

i personally will bring my K 31 loaded with Hornady 165 gr BTSP to take elk or moose . Of course, ill limit my shots to less than 200 yds.
 
I've put Elk down with a .30-30 Winchester. They are NOT bullet proof. The 270 is an excellent Elk caliber using the heavier bullets.
 
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