Bullet Weight in

[jmr40]

As a default suggestion it is hard to go wrong with a 130 in a 270. But if 150's shoot better there isn't really any downside.

Velocity needs to be converted to foot-pounds of energy. You need at least 1000 ftp-Lb for white tails.

I've found impact velocity to be a better predictor of performance than energy numbers. But 1st you have to know the minimum and maximum impact speeds that the particular bullet you are using is rated for. As long as the bullet is moving at a speed adequate to expand on impact it will kill game. Unless it is faster than the maximum impact speed where it may over expand and not give adequate penetration.

These numbers are somewhat related to energy, but depending solely on energy numbers can create false expectations. Some bullets with high energy numbers still won't penetrate, some with low energy numbers will still give good performance.

 

[dahermit]

You need at least 1000 ftp-Lb for white tails.

Unless that comes from some mystic Oracle atop a mountain, I would expect some rationale or proof as to the validity of that statement.

 

[44 AMP]

You need at least 1000 ftp-Lb for white tails.

No, sorry, you don't.

What you NEED is whatever your state game laws specify as legally acceptable to hunt deer.

If your friend needs to know, simply have him give his ammo/bullet maker a call, and see what they recommend.

 

[Unclenick]

Good point! Around here, it would be a shotgun slug or a straight wall metallic cartridge.


Cola308,

Given your friend has a .270 Win, were I he, I would head out with several bullet weights, as suggested above, and just see which one I could make shoot the smallest groups within the target velocity range, and go with that.

 

[Nathan]

A friend wanted me to ask that question. I use a 308 using Remington Core Lokt 150gr. Personally. I told him 130 GR he wanted more opinions. So I shot the question by here.

IMO, 130-150 gr in a plastic/hard tipped standard construction bullet.

 

[hdwhit]

Unclenick wrote:
lethality prediction, ...two mechanism schools, one the penetration school ... and the hydrostatic shock school,...

Thank you for the well-researched post.