.270 win factory ammo for elk

teberle · #1 06-05-2019, 08:17 PM

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.

sns2 · #2 06-05-2019, 08:20 PM

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.

teberle · #3 06-05-2019, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

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.

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.

huntwat · #4 06-05-2019, 08:34 PM

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.

270person · #5 06-05-2019, 08:46 PM

150gr Nosler PT or 140 AB. Most 270 guys seem to run 130's but 150s are superior ballistics.

JTRED · #6 06-05-2019, 10:10 PM

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.

buckman · #7 06-06-2019, 07:07 AM

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.

Flatlandliver · #8 06-06-2019, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sns2

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.

Federals work perfectly well. So do these.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/32182...fle-ammunition

kritz · #9 06-06-2019, 09:48 AM

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

IAMhunt · #10 06-06-2019, 09:59 AM

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.

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".

kritz · #11 06-06-2019, 10:01 AM

1

elkhunter11 · #12 06-06-2019, 10:09 AM

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".

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.

IAMhunt · #13 06-06-2019, 10:17 AM

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.

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 ,

elkhunter11 · #14 06-06-2019, 10:30 AM

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 ,

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.

IAMhunt · #15 06-06-2019, 10:39 AM

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.

Maybe marksmanship/bullet placement should be mandatory before issuing tags to incapable shooters with $100 boxes of ammo,,,,,,

Hogie135 · #16 06-06-2019, 11:03 AM

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.

IronNoggin · #17 06-06-2019, 01:49 PM

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

Black Feather · #18 06-06-2019, 02:31 PM

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.

mediumrare · #19 06-06-2019, 02:35 PM

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.

teberle · #20 06-06-2019, 10:09 PM

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.

GMX · #21 06-06-2019, 10:16 PM

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.

What kind of rifle do you have and how often do you properly clean the barrel?

teberle · #22 06-06-2019, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMX

What kind of rifle do you have and how often do you properly clean the barrel?

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.

HVA7mm · #23 06-06-2019, 11:16 PM

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.

PolMark · #24 06-06-2019, 11:16 PM

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.