.270 ?

J

JKump

New member
A friend of mine just got a Ruger Mk77 .270 for deer hunting. He bought two boxes of Federal Fusion ammo 130 grain and the 150 grain. Which one will be better for deer hunting? I hunt with a 308 and could not give any advice, however, I have heard the 130 grain is the way to go. Any comments either way.
 
Either bullet weight will work fine.

I always prefered the 130's when I used a .270 Win. The shoot a little faster, and a little flatter.

Daryl
 
My take on it was use 130 for deer and smaller, and use 150's for elk. That has served me well in the past when I used the .270 for elk. Truthfully use the ammunition that groups the best regardless of weight. Bambi will not know what grain of bullet that was used.
 
I shoot the 130 out of my 270. Great weight, Never needed a 150gr bullet for anything i hunt, even elk. Not saying a 150 is a bad choice though, I just like the 130s. I shoot the same loads for everything i hunt with my 270.
 
Shoot the one that works best in your gun. In my Win '70 .270, I can shoot Remington 130 PSP and Federal Classic 130 PSP interchangably (same point of impact). Winchester 130's group equally well, but the point of impact is several inches off from the other two therefore they are not interchangeable (I would have to rezero the scope).

However, if I load up 150's, my groups suddenly start looking more like something a shotgun would shoot. It just doesn't like 150's.
 
My rifle is pretty accurate with both but I pretty much keep to 130g now. The .270 made it's reputation on flat shooting 130, and it used the round's ballistics to it's advantage.

If I was only going out for Moose or even elk, I'd probably re-sight in for 150. For an all around bullet, 130 is probably best though.
 
Some .270 Winchester barrels have a hard time stabilizing 150 grain bullets.
Most barrels have a hard time with anything over 150 grains.
The 1:10" (common) rate of twist is optimal for 120-140 grain projectiles.

For deer, 130 grain bullets will be just fine.
 
Another reason that the 130's work better on small deer, whitetail, is that the copper jacket is thinner on the bullet, making the bullet less likely to pass through the deer, and more likely to expand on the thin skinned, smaller deer.

The reverse is true for the 150 grain loads, thicker copper jacket will penetrate deeper and expand more slowly, making it better suited for larger deer, such as elk.

This, from one of my books by Jack O'Connor. I don't believe just anything because a gun writer says it, but, he was a hunter who wrote from his own experiences. Best -
 
My wife, mother, and I have had great success with 130 grain projectiles. My mother shot a massive bull elk last year, and the 130 grain pill did jiust fine.
 
my opinion, the 130 psp has more velocity and energy, fits the .270 well-use it. had no problem taking 240lb. Pa. buck last season at 130+ yards.
 
I've got an old Ruger 77 in 270, and have shot several elk with it. I always reloaded Speer 130 gr. boat-tails. They kill elk ded, but never seem to exit. I like a bullet to expand and exit for that gory red blood trail to follow.
So, I got some Speer 150 gr. Grand Slams. Shot a big cow about 100 yds. out. Still no exit. The hide on an elk must stretch like rubber on the far side. I almost always find the bullet right under the skin. Maybe I expect too much. The elk all died within a reasonable distance and except for the blood trail thing I've got no complaints. btw 56 and 55 gr. IMR 4831, CCI 200's. jd
 
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