jimmyraythomason
Member
I'm sure that depends more on the rifle than the round. My Weatherby vangard in .270 had very little in the way of recoil BUT my High Standard (HVA action) kicked the stuff out of me!
Can I hunt Elk with a .270?
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desidog
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More than the cartridge, the weight of the rifle really matters when it comes to recoil. More weight dampens the recoil; and if you're on a quad and not carrying the gun around all day, i'd go with a heavy bull contour barrel instead of a sporting contour.
I've heard some argue that the .270 is fine for cows, and a little light for bulls; but shot placement matters much more, and if you're flinching due to expected recoil then that's a major impediment to accuracy.
I've heard some argue that the .270 is fine for cows, and a little light for bulls; but shot placement matters much more, and if you're flinching due to expected recoil then that's a major impediment to accuracy.
captain awesome
Member
absolutely! you should feel the difference on my 338 win mag. My 115lb mother actually LIKES it with the compensator on it. with a good recoil pad and compensator, you can shoot a lot of stuff comfortably that previously would have been a bruiser.
A 270 is definitely able to do it, but its not my first choice.
Ideally it should be a magnum to reach farther . In high country , the distances are deceiving. A bull looks like too close but is way farther away. So know your distances and limitations of your cartridge. Get as close as possible Thats the challenge.
rbernie
Contributing Member
A BAR with a BOSS system would be a terrific rifle for someone that's recoil sensitive and will be hunting from a stand or quad.
270 win is my prefered ELK cartridge. I have pleanty of larger calibers, but still prefer the old reliable 270. Both my 270's will shoot 150 gr Partitions MOA. Even at shots approaching 400 yards (390), the 150 partitions have never failed to penetrate both sides. That 390 yard shot was on a 5x5, he dropped where he stood.
I have no idea how many hunters I know around here in s.w. Idaho, who have killed bull elk with their .270 Win. rifles, with great success.
Although I've not used one on elk, I've used my .280 Remington on elk, with handloads containing a 160 grains Nosler Partition bullet and 54.0 grains of IMR 4350 powder. I assure you that works perfectly on elk. Very little difference between the .280 and the .270. A .270 with a 150 grains Nosler Partition bullet will put some fine meat in your freezer so long as you shoot accurately.
Best of luck on your elk hunt.
L.W.
Although I've not used one on elk, I've used my .280 Remington on elk, with handloads containing a 160 grains Nosler Partition bullet and 54.0 grains of IMR 4350 powder. I assure you that works perfectly on elk. Very little difference between the .280 and the .270. A .270 with a 150 grains Nosler Partition bullet will put some fine meat in your freezer so long as you shoot accurately.
Best of luck on your elk hunt.
L.W.
thirdeagle
Member
+1 on the .270 win for elk. I carry a CZ 550 FS in .270 when hunting elk in SW MT (thanks to CZF). I carry an old Ted Williams .30-30 when I know the cover is going to be thick. Keep yer' belted magnums...I'll take the .270 any day.
Well, I went to find my rifle today, no such luck on the .270 I did buy a savage weather warrior 30-06 wit a muzzle break. Only one I could find was the 30-06 and the .308. Maybe I should of went the .308 route, but I hope this is the right choice for me. Seems to me with the muzzle break, and their recoil system butt pad, I should be ok.
UltraMag1981
Member
Benelli R1
If you are considering a semi, I would recommend a Benelli R1 with the comfortech stock. Mine is in 30-06 and is just as accurate as my rem 700 and savage model 10 predator. Last year I killed a doe with it at a little over 500yds!!! So either it was a lucky shot or the rifle is accurate. I like to think its accurate lol. I believe that the make it in .270 aswell and with it being a semi, and with the addition of having the comfortech stock, it will barely kick. I wouldnt get rid of my Benelli for anything, I love that gun!
If you are considering a semi, I would recommend a Benelli R1 with the comfortech stock. Mine is in 30-06 and is just as accurate as my rem 700 and savage model 10 predator. Last year I killed a doe with it at a little over 500yds!!! So either it was a lucky shot or the rifle is accurate. I like to think its accurate lol. I believe that the make it in .270 aswell and with it being a semi, and with the addition of having the comfortech stock, it will barely kick. I wouldnt get rid of my Benelli for anything, I love that gun!
CoRoMo
Member
Of course you can, but if you are asking whether you can kill an elk with a .270, that is a question about your abilities, not the rifle's performance.
That's another question about your proficiency. A 50gr bullet will kill the largest bull elk, if it is sent into the right spot. But a 500gr. bullet won't even affect a heifer calf elk, if you can't hit her.
I've managed to kill elk with regularity, using nothing more than 130gr. handloads through my .270 rifles. FWIW, those same handloads can 'do the trick' on bowling pins set out at a quarter mile. But I claim a bit of credit for that feat as well.
Skylerbone
Member
I put a Simms LimbSaver pad on my 700 and added a shoulder shield. The stock style by the way can make a huge difference. Get a laminated thumbhole for the added weight and recoil reduction.
ReloaderEd
Member
I have a left handed 270 winchester savage 110D. It does a good job on elk using a heavy nosler bullet. Last elk I dropped was at about 100 yds and hit it in the center of the neck. Only fools take belted magnums and try to hit animals at 500 yards. Respect for the game you hunt is essential. be safe
sureshot
Member
With ease the real question is can you make a good shot palcement with the rifle and do you have the some large grain bullets like 150grain for your .270 I've taken many moose with a .270. the fact is that it might talk a while for it to realize that it's heart and lungs are gone and that it should be dead. Most of the area that I hunt is near big open slashes with 100-200 yard shots being common.
sleepyone
Member
I would have to disagree with the statement that the .270 and 30-06 have about the same "felt" recoil. I have two new Winchester M70 FWs in each caliber with with wood stocks, and I can "feel" a big difference. These are identical rifles except for caliber about six months apart in age. They both have the nice decelerator (sp?) recoil pads that come stock from FN now. After shooting a box of 150 gr. through my 30-06, I am ready to lay it down for the day. I can shoot a box of 150 gr. from the .270 and not be in much discomfort. My daughter, who is 5' 5" and about 140 lbs. says the same thing; although she really likes her featherweight .243 the best.
Skylerbone
Member
I put 60 rounds down range on Sunday with my 30-06, 180gr. Nosler partitions with 55-57gr. of Hodgdon 4350. No bruises, no broken blood vessels and no ache. I'm not terribly recoil sensitive but having a father who deals with pain daily has me looking ahead. He's got a .300Win Mag. with custom break on a TC Encore. Nice combo with the Flex-Tech stock (the stock reduces recoil) and Simms pad.
The LimbSaver combo on mine replaced a Pachmayer Decellerator and Past recoil shield. Once the new stock arrives it should shoot like a .223. If you'll be hunting from a quad, a heavy rifle/heavy stock combo shouldn't be a problem.
The LimbSaver combo on mine replaced a Pachmayer Decellerator and Past recoil shield. Once the new stock arrives it should shoot like a .223. If you'll be hunting from a quad, a heavy rifle/heavy stock combo shouldn't be a problem.
I think you made a great choice in that SS Savage 30-06 w/brake in your situation.
But after taking 26 elk, I respectfully recommend to reduce your maximum range to from 400 to 300 yds or so, unless the conditions are very much in your favor, and if you spend some time practicing at long range to learn the new gun.
Hits are easier nowdays with laser rangefinders and improved optics, but I consider the 06 as kind of in the "adequate" class of elk rifle, not so much the "ideal".
A 400yd shot at a big bull quartering towards you at the edge of a steep timbered canyon at dusk might be a good one to pass on with the 30-06.
But one strolling in a meadow at 9 in the morning at a known lasered distance with a well practiced shooter, well, what the heck.
But after taking 26 elk, I respectfully recommend to reduce your maximum range to from 400 to 300 yds or so, unless the conditions are very much in your favor, and if you spend some time practicing at long range to learn the new gun.
Hits are easier nowdays with laser rangefinders and improved optics, but I consider the 06 as kind of in the "adequate" class of elk rifle, not so much the "ideal".
A 400yd shot at a big bull quartering towards you at the edge of a steep timbered canyon at dusk might be a good one to pass on with the 30-06.
But one strolling in a meadow at 9 in the morning at a known lasered distance with a well practiced shooter, well, what the heck.
T.R.
Member
I killed my first 3 elk dead as Julius Caesar with 30-30 carbine while hunting with my Grandad in Bighorn Mts. of Wyoming. They didn't get away! I shot into the chest organs from approx 80 yards and kept shooting until the animal toppled over. Generally two hits stop the animal and another to finish.
270 has taken scores of elk and many African animals as well. Now that Premium bullets are widely available in factory ammo, this oldy-but-goody is even more impressive!
TR
270 has taken scores of elk and many African animals as well. Now that Premium bullets are widely available in factory ammo, this oldy-but-goody is even more impressive!
TR
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