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06-05-2019, 08:17 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 236
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.270 win factory ammo for elk
Hi everyone,
I am planning an antlerless elk hunt this coming winter. I'll be using my .270 Winchester. I do not load my own cartridges, so I'm limited to factory ammunition. So far I've mostly shot 'cheap' Federal Blue Box from this gun. I get decent groups with it (1 1/8 inch or so at 100). My question is whether you guys would consider it acceptable for elk. And if not, what would be the most logical step up in factory ammo? Would Fusions be significantly better? Or should I be looking at partitions, tsx, etc.? I will not be attempting a shot beyond 250 yards under any circumstances, regardless of the load.
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06-05-2019, 08:20 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: My House
Posts: 13,464
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Do not overthink this...
Do not overthink this. Let this be your first and last stop. Seriously.
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/27873...ariantId=61998
$18 more than the Fusions. I'd say that is money very well spent.
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06-05-2019, 08:25 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 236
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sns2
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I should have mentioned this in my initial post: Those seemed like the obvious choice to me, given what I've read on here, but I picked up a box of them before last hunting season, and surprisingly, they shot very poorly out of my rifle. 3 inch groups.
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06-05-2019, 08:34 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,153
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When you hit the elk in the lungs or heart at <250, he will die from the bluebox. Accuracy is more important than bullet construction.
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06-05-2019, 08:46 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 6,496
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150gr Nosler PT or 140 AB. Most 270 guys seem to run 130's but 150s are superior ballistics.
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06-05-2019, 10:10 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Central Kootenays BC
Posts: 432
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I've used both the Federal Fusion 130gr and 150gr on cow elk and both were effective. My gun really likes them, whereas it does not like the Federal Premium Nosler 150gr. The Fusion is a good bullet.
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06-06-2019, 07:07 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,619
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150 grain Nosler partition in 270 has killed many Elk. Its a tried and tested bullet right up there with all the latest ones.
My son killed 3 with it all one shot kills.
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06-06-2019, 09:48 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 371
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there is some very high quality manufactured ammo out there right now. Spend the money to find the one that shoots the best in your gun, then the cost is minimal after that.
I second this. I like them in my daughters 7-08 and my 7mm mag
https://www.cabelas.ca/product/31120...ade-ammunition
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06-06-2019, 09:59 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by huntwat
When you hit the elk in the lungs or heart at <250, he will die from the bluebox. Accuracy is more important than bullet construction.
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That's a fact, and the elk will die at 300 or 30 yards from the same bullet, and neck or spine shots are "bang flops".
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06-06-2019, 10:01 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 371
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1
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06-06-2019, 10:09 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 45,145
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IAMhunt
That's a fact, and the elk will die at 300 or 30 yards from the same bullet, and neck or spine shots are "bang flops".
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Unfortunately, if the neck or spine shot is just slightly off, and doesn't sever the spine, the animals sometimes get up and run off.
Personally, I like the TTSX, Accubond , , or Partition for elk, just find out what shoots well in your rifle. 130gr is plenty in the 270win , if you use a quality bullet.
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Only accurate guns are interesting.
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06-06-2019, 10:17 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11
Unfortunately, if the neck or spine shot is just slightly off, and doesn't sever the spine, the animals sometimes get up and run off.
Personally, I like the TTSX, Accubond , , or Partition for elk, just find out what shoots well in your rifle. 130gr is plenty in the 270win , if you use a quality bullet.
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Most of the 30 or so elk I have killed we're shot in the neck or the spine, a few in the head, they dropped dead pretty much where they stood
And several of those at varying distances with lead cast bullets,
they are Elk, not Rhinoceros
From. 9 paces out to 350 yards/ metres ,
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06-06-2019, 10:30 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 45,145
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IAMhunt
Most of the 30 or so elk I have killed we're shot in the neck or the spine, a few in the head, they dropped dead pretty much where they stood
And several of those at varying distances with lead cast bullets,
they are Elk, not Rhinoceros
From. 9 paces out to 350 yards/ metres ,
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And I have witnessed first hand animals that had to be shot again, or tracked a long ways, after they dropped at the shot, and got up and ran off, after a neck shot. The spine is a small target, and a very small error can result in a wounded animal.
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Only accurate guns are interesting.
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06-06-2019, 10:39 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11
And I have witnessed first hand animals that had to be shot again, or tracked a long ways, after they dropped at the shot, and got up and ran off, after a neck shot. The spine is a small target, and a very small error can result in a wounded animal.
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Maybe marksmanship/bullet placement should be mandatory before issuing tags to incapable shooters with $100 boxes of ammo,,,,,,
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06-06-2019, 11:03 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cold Lake
Posts: 1,723
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Federal fusions have always been my go to factory loaded cartridge. Cheap accurate in all my guns and very well made. Used them in my .270 few years ago to take my bull moose.
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06-06-2019, 01:49 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Port Alberni, Vancouver Island, BC
Posts: 3,444
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Shot more than a few moose, a handful of elk, and some seriously big black bears with my 270.
It loves the 150 grain Nosler Partitions from the high end Federal category.
Also throws 130's and 140's quite well, but with the bigger critters I prefer a few more grains.
As the others have said, find what YOUR Rifle wants, then run with it.
Best of Luck!
Nog
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06-06-2019, 02:31 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 94
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I've killed 3 elk so far, 1 big bull, one spike and one cow, all with federal blue box. However, I have limited myself to 100 yards or under, and only shoot when their shoulder is out of the way. Has worked beautifully every time.
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06-06-2019, 02:35 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 220
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Your gun doesn't like the nosler so if it were me I'd be shooting copper bullets. shoulder shot and your elk won't be going anywhere.
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06-06-2019, 10:09 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 236
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Thanks a lot for the replies everyone. Some interesting opinions in here. I'll probably try fusions and see how they shoot, and maybe some of the Federal copper blue box as well.
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06-06-2019, 10:16 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 533
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teberle
Thanks a lot for the replies everyone. Some interesting opinions in here. I'll probably try fusions and see how they shoot, and maybe some of the Federal copper blue box as well.
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What kind of rifle do you have and how often do you properly clean the barrel?
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06-06-2019, 10:56 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 236
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GMX
What kind of rifle do you have and how often do you properly clean the barrel?
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It's a Tikka T3 lite stainless. I generally clean it with Wipe-Out after each use. Rarely put more than a box through it at a time.
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06-06-2019, 11:16 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 1,224
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Any 6.5mm mono metal out of a slingshot or thrown by hand. Just kidding, any cup and core or mono metal .277 should work quite nicely.
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06-06-2019, 11:16 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Calgary
Posts: 23
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I would try few other brands (not necessary expensive) before hunting season starts and see which one your gun prefer, mostly in 150 grain for elk. Like someone said here before, shot placement is most important.
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06-07-2019, 12:04 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 243
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06-08-2019, 09:10 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,521
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IAMhunt
Most of the 30 or so elk I have killed we're shot in the neck or the spine, a few in the head, they dropped dead pretty much where they stood
And several of those at varying distances with lead cast bullets,
they are Elk, not Rhinoceros
From. 9 paces out to 350 yards/ metres ,
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Horrible advice for a newbie.
Shoot lungs accurately no matter the weapon.
Bang away!
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"We're not polishing fine china here"-Belichick.
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06-08-2019, 09:22 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 15,847
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Quote:
Originally Posted by huntwat
When you hit the elk in the lungs or heart at <250, he will die from the bluebox. Accuracy is more important than bullet construction.
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Hogwash
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06-08-2019, 09:31 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Caroline
Posts: 7,272
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Quote:
Originally Posted by huntwat
. Accuracy is more important than bullet construction.
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I prefer the best of both. Who wouldn't?
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2. You're stupid
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06-08-2019, 09:36 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 838
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck
Hogwash
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Surprised you’d say that
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06-08-2019, 09:46 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: My House
Posts: 13,464
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Deer_Hunter
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Seeing the OP gets 3" groups with 150 Partitions, this ^^^ would be where I would head.
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