Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles The BEST .270 bullet

I've been digging into my reloading for the up coming season. Looking at the reloading bench there are all types of bullets and powders to make some type of prescription for an Elk this year with my 270 WSM.

Looking at the bullets I have 140 grain TSX, 140 grain Accubonds, 150 grain Interbond, Interlocks, and 150 grain Partitions. Yeah any of them would do but I get into the more detailed stuff and try to pick out the most efficient to work up a load for. Lately I've been thinking again on the 160 grain partition. Last year I just couldn't see any advantage because the BC was low and with the velocity loss it didn't seem to make much sense over the others.

The one thing that it did have was a sectional density of .298!, the highest in the whole 270 line up.

I started looking into what this meant. I found that bullets with higher sectional densities are known for deeper penetration with all things equal. So if we are seeking a bullet for big game this could be another specification to take into consideration. I read an article that bullets above .279 in sectional density are desired.

I looked up the sectional densities of the bullets I have and then compared the Ballistic Coefficient. I know a lot of people don't think much of the .270 as a big game cartridge but I found that the Nosler Partition 150 and 160 grain bullets are .279 and .298 in sectional density.

I think I am going to work up the 150 grain partition this year. The BC isn't so bad, the sectional density is great, it's a flat base which usually gives a little more velocity/efficiency, and the partition has lived through all the years for one reason or another.

LUCK

Tripple shock is all you need to know.

emphasis added

Problem is, they usually aren't.

ok what is the anticipated distance of the shot? I Fit is over 350 then maybe worry about the numbers if not use teh biggest heaviest slug you got

Mathman nailed it. The change caused by a middling difference in sectional density is probably much smaller than the change wrought by what kind of tissue the bullet meets. It's probably a second order effect.

Any good bullet will work well under most normal circumstances.

If your intended impact speed is in excess of 2800 FPS, choose a premium bullet such as the AccuBond, Partition, or other fine bullet to ensure the bullet will hang together on impact.

Again, if your intended impact speed is less than 2100 FPS choose a premium bullet or a Hornady spire point to ensure that the bullet will reliably open. The spire point and most premium bullets open down to 1800 FPS.

If you don't fall into one of those special cases, whatever you have handy that gives good accuracy will probably work about as well as anything you could shoot.

I'm fond of AccuBonds, mostly because I got a great deal on a bunch of them. There are lots of good choices that will work.

I don't shoot a 270, but I do have a 7x57 which is almost its ballistic twin. FWIW, I really like 160/162 grain bullets in that, and drive them to 2750 FPS at a measured 56 KPSI peak.

170 gn speer rn

There are all sorts of good .270-caliber elk bullets these days, but I have seen quite a few elk (and even some moose) taken with the 150 Nosler Partition and it will flat do the job.

I like the 140 NAB

If the 150 partition doesn't do the job, it likely isn't the bullet's fault.

Barnes TSX 130gr and up.

Pretty hard to find anyone who has actually used the 150 Partition that was disappointed.

+++

Denton, I ran 160/162s at 2860 in a 7mag for less recoil and meat damage, nice load in your Rigby.

If I were picking a bullet for the 270, I'd start with these:

140 NAB
TTSX - not sure if in 140, but anything from 120-140.

Nothing wrong with a partition.

No flies on the 150 Partition but I'd take a serious look at the 150 NorthFork. I haven't tried 'em in either of my 27 cal. rifles yet but they do perform in my .338. I've found them slightly more accurate and maintain weight better in that .338.
More expensive but then, again, you're not gonna want to shoot a box at the range.
Bear in Fairbanks

The best 270 bullet should have a diameter of 0.308" and have 30-06 Springfield stamped on the head of the case. (all other things being equal, of course.)

For the moose hunt this year am going to leave my .338 home and take my .270 WSM. A few days ago shooting 150gr. Hornadys they were going into .75" at 200 yards. Have loaded some 150 partitions up for trial as soon as the temperatures drop a bit.

Past experience with the 150 partitions in the regular .270 have proved they will do the job. The majority of my moose were taken with this load and caliber.

Jim

130 tsx or ttsx flat accurate and will knock them down. YMMV

Loaded 50 cases today. 130 gr. TSX over 54 gr of 100v hybrid.
That load may kill a black tail or even a bear. May be a little rough on a bobcat.

130 gr. partitions will kill an elk.
Allan