Factory loads for deer in .270win

[nico]

I'll be deer hunting for the first time this year (went last year, but only watched) and was wondering if someone could recommend some good factory loads in .270win for Mid Atlantic size deer. I don't mind paying more money for a better chance of a DRT shot, but I'd say my limit is ~$30/box. I was also wondering about bullet size. The friends that I went with last year got a deer with a 130gr softpoint (don't remember what brand) at about 100 yards and it left a 6" exit wound. I'd like to keep meat destruction to a minimum if possible. I've heard people on here mention that 150gr bullets will destroy less meat. Is there merit to this or did I misunderstand what they were saying? What about 140gr? Does anyone have any experience with the Hornaday Light Magnum loads?
Thanks

edit: sorry if this should have been under Hunting mods. I don't mind if you guys move it.

 

[RaySendero]

Really, just about any 270 load with 130 grain or heavier bullet is adequate for your deer!

If you want a 150 grain factory load - Try the silver PMC ammo loaded with the 150 grain Sierra GameKing.

 

[45Badger]

Almost any soft point 150 grain factory load will do just fine.

Frankly, any 130-150 gr factory load will do just fine.

If you shoot it broadside thru the lungs, you won't have to worry about damaging meat. Broadside thru the ass is another thing.......

 

[auschip]

My rifle likes the 130 Grain Winchester Ballistic Silver Tip. I'm not sure what size mid-atlantic deer run, but I was confident in my shots anchoring large South Texas whitetails as long as I did my part.

 

[nico]

from what I've heard, the deer in texas would eat the deer around here. I guess what I was asking with the 130 vs 150 grain question is if I'm choosing between the same factory load in 130 or 150 grain, will the 150 grain cause less meat damage?

Also, is there a reason to use ballistic tips over normal soft tips?

 

[Delmar]

Nico, generally speaking-when you go up in grain weight, the slower the bullet expands.
Handloading for my Rem 700 in 270 Winchester is a necessity for 130 grain bullet weights, as the factory overall length is too short for good accuracy.

You can back down the powder charge some on a handload if the bullet you select is doing too much damage, or you can up the bullet weight and get similar results.

Edited to add: Stay away from the Hornady light magnum loads if you are looking for less meat destruction. If you like Hornady products, try the Hornady Custom in 140 grain. Good accuracy for factory stuff, and less meat destruction.

 

[nico]

thanks for the suggestions. From looking at ammo, I came up with another question to bug you guys with. I understand that a boat tail bullet is supposed to be more aerodynamic, and hence more accurate than a flat base bullet. Are there any downsides to the boat tail shape?

 

[GlocksRock]

I use Winchester 130 grain ballistic silvertips, and some 130 grain handloaded Nosler ballistic tips.

 

[JohnMc]

I've seen 130 grain Remington CoreLokt for sale this year. That'll do the trick nicely.
I like the Ballistic Silver tips, but $13 a box for CoreLokt is a good deal.
JohnMc

 

[unreal45]

check out midwayusa i like 150 grain nosler partitions myself

 

[outfieldjack]

My rifle likes the 130 Grain Winchester Ballistic Silver Tip. I'm not sure what size mid-atlantic deer run, but I was confident in my shots anchoring large South Texas whitetails as long as I did my part.

I use the Ballistic Silver Tips as well. They run about $25 for a box of 20 though.

 

[mete]

Having butchered deer shot with the 130s ,I'd stick with the 150. Less damage though perhaps not as spectacular kills. Most deer in the east are taken within 50 yds so the 130 has too high a velocity at that range.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Less damage though perhaps not as spectacular kills.

I prefer DRTs over "spectacular" kills.

What kind of less "spectacular" kills do the 150s yield?

 

[sumpnz]

I understand that a boat tail bullet is supposed to be more aerodynamic, and hence more accurate than a flat base bullet. Are there any downsides to the boat tail shape?

Unless you're planning on taking 400+ yard shots, there is little to be gained from a boat-tail bullet. You will see a flatter trajectory thanks to the higher ballistic-coefficient of the boat-tail, but for practical hunting purposes you'll never notice the difference. Now, for long range target shooting the boat-tail can have a big advantage. For you, though, unless you're going to handload, I'd only get the factory loaded boat tails if they're on sale enough to make them cheaper. Handloaders claim boat-tails are easier to place in the mouth of the case.

 

[Mannlicher]

While any load will do, some are better than others for Eastern Whitetails. I like the Remmington 130 grain Corelokt.
I have been hunting with the Federal 150 grain for the past few years, but they don't do as well as the 130s

 

[mete]

Those that insist on DRT [dead right there] kills , which are spectacular kills since "it never moved an inch" use the 130 and get lots of meat damage . I want the meat and usually try for lung shots to minimize meat loss.I also go for penetration so I want a heavier bullet. Lung shots in my experience result in the deer going about 50 yds and mostly bled out. So it goes 50 yds , big deal !!

 

[party01]

I always take shots that are just behind the front shoulder to minimize meat damage. It wouldn't matter then which bullet weight you used just about anything with a .270 is going to pass through. If you want to see a lung or two laying where you shot the deer use the 130's.

 

[nico]

Unless you're planning on taking 400+ yard shots, there is little to be gained from a boat-tail bullet. You will see a flatter trajectory thanks to the higher ballistic-coefficient of the boat-tail, but for practical hunting purposes you'll never notice the difference. Now, for long range target shooting the boat-tail can have a big advantage. For you, though, unless you're going to handload, I'd only get the factory loaded boat tails if they're on sale enough to make them cheaper. Handloaders claim boat-tails are easier to place in the mouth of the case.

that's pretty much what I've heard about them. The reason I asked is cabelas sells hornaday 150 grain boat tail soft point and 150 grain sst for exactly the same price.

 

[sumpnz]

nico - In that case I'd buy a box of each and see which one groups better. Or, just pick one and be done with it.

 

[WhiteKnight]

FWIW, the half dozen or so deer that I've shot have all been with 130 factory loads and all were DRTs without extensive meat damage.

I just bought my .270 ammo for the season - Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 130-grainers.

 

[Carlos Cabeza]

The Remington corelokt 130gn. stuff does really well unless your looking for some long range accuracy. Put the bullet where it's supposed to go and the only damage you'll see is the deer's vitals. I like to eat the heart if it's not gelatinous goo.

 

[9 m&m]

I just shot a doe today with my .270. I was using Winchester 130 gr. Power-points. It left a wicked exit wound. It blew the deers' lungs out all over the ground beside it. The deer ran about 20 yards before it bled to death. I would say they work pretty well.

 

[BJPARKER]

No need for premium

No need for premium bullets, as years of shooting Rem Corelocks and Winchester power points and silver tips for deer have proven reliability. More importantly is what your rifle will shoot most accurately. I've also used the PMC silver box which my 760 likes also- 130-150gr, either will do, but I also think the 150gr does less meat damage. Good luck!

 

[tex_n_cal]

from what I've heard, the deer in texas would eat the deer around here.

Oh I wish that were true, but it's not South Texas deer get bigger than the ones in central Texas, but not as big as the ones up north in the midwest. Big bodied deer are better adapted for cold climates, ya know.

I have shot two deer with .270's, and both were DRT. One shot with a handloaded Nosler simply collapsed. The other shot with a handloaded Sierra 130 boattail stood straight up in the air and collapsed.

The 150's will probably destroy less meat, but they probably also allow more chance of it running off - and I hate hunting after I shoot.:banghead:

I would avoid the Light Magnum loads, they work great but are uneeded for short ranges.

 

[lwsimon]

Silvertips dont' shoot straight in my Remington .270, but they are deadly accuract in my Winchester. YMMV. Also, i missed an AMAZING buck with silvertips in the rain. SO beware of obstacles!