Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Favorite 150gr 270 bullet

Interested to hear what has been your go to 150gr bullet in the 270 Winchester across medium big game. Deer, hogs, elk, black bear, nothing crazy. Also not looking for a 150gr bullet that needs to be pushed fast. Range is 350yd and in.

I’ve got lots of experience with lighter loads in the 270 and wanted to try out some of the heavies considering I hunt mostly 200yd shot and less type terrain.

So far in factory loads the partition is shooting 1.5-1.75MOA. Federal blue box 150gr JSP shooting a steady 1.25moa and sometimes better.

I’m tempted to stop at the 150gr federal blue box, buy a case and call it good.

I used the 150 Pt for decades although I’ve used other bullets during that time, too. I’ve killed 25+ elk with the 150 Pt. Currently though I would say the 160 Pt.

Partitions in general work across the widest range of velocities—hang together and penetrate up close, and open up and penetrate way out there when velocity has fallen off.

Having said that, I’m slowly transitioning to copper bullets.

I’m apparently jinxed—I can’t recall ever having factory ammo shoot worth a hoot…..

Fed blue box 150 gr round nose here. It shoots incredibly well out of a my 700 with factory 24" barrel. Results have been quick kills.

That's been our experience as well--both the quick kills on elk, and the quickest kill I've seen on a moose with a heart-lung shot. It's also killed quickly with lung shots on big mule deer.

But we're also using more monos as well. Overall they don't kill as quickly, though lighter, faster monos help. We like the reduced damage to meat....

I really wanted the partition to shoot well and I’m sure I could hand load and make that happen but I’m being lazy and trying factory stuff. At least I’m saving my brass.

https://rogerssportinggoods.com/sig-sauer-270win-140grain-elite-hunter-centerfire-rifle-ammunition/

3 shots in 1 enlarged hole. Shoots POI with the factory Federal 150 Partition load out of my Tikka

was 12.99 a box

Oh stop it!!!

😊

150 grain Nosler Partition.

150 gr Nosler Partition…….. simply outstanding.
It’s accurate, it expands well, it penetrates and is reliable on big bone. Very few other bullets do all that……

Gonna be odd man out here, but I like the 150 grain Corelokt RN bullets. Obviously not an optimal long range bullet but IMO their terminal performance is near ideal for a general purpose .270 load. I've broken both shoulder blades on a moose with them on a couple occasions, but the RN and ample exposed lead will still dump a fair bit of energy and get nice clean kills on smaller/ lighter animals. I've only ever recovered them from moose, but the recovered bullets always look good.

I once shot a big moose in the shoulder with this load at about 50 yards, and as I fired he swung his head into the path of the bullet. The bullet broke his jaw, then went on to strike low in the shoulder (presumably already deformed), break through 2-3" of bone and still take out the lungs. Thats pretty good performance from any bullet IMO, especially a cheap one that will also routinely DRT deer with a lung shot.

As others have said, 150 partitions are absolutely fantastic bullets with excellent performance. Hornady 150 SP have also been good on the 7-8 deer I’ve been put them through. And in a few rifles they’ve shot 1/2 moa.

First three elk I killed with a rifle and first Alaskan moose I killed while in the Navy were with the 150 RN Corelokt. They are a good broadside and quartering away bullet, but unlikely to penetrate the length of elk starting at the north end of a southbound bull. But a 150 Pt will.

Also, as MD has mentioned a number of times the Corelokts aren’t what they used to be, but I’ve always been curious if that applied to the RN.

My dad continued to use 180 Corelokt RN’s in his 06 until he retired from hunting at the age of 91.

The 150 NPT has always been great. That said the 150 Sierra SPBT has been good to us too. Very easy to get to shoot and has performed well in game too.

I wouldnt hesitate to take a quartering-towards shot with them either, but agree that risking a Texas heart shot on an elk wouldn't be wise.

At least until the bankruptcy the RN Corelokts seemed to perform about the same as they ever did. The current boxes still have the diagram on the side that shows the RN to have a thicker jacket... not sure what thats worth.

Not on elk. When I got out of the Navy in ‘81 that’s what I used on elk for several years. I thought Pt’s were too expensive. When I started guiding and saw how Pt’s performed I realized there really was a difference in bullets…..

I’ve had very good luck with 150gr Federal Fusion. Factory and as a component bullet.

I found a bunch of old hornady round nose 150s for my daughters rifle, hope the work

I had some 150gr ballistic tips at 2900fps. But I already had a load with 140 gr SST for off season range time, MOA out to 600 yards and 130 ttsx for deer and elk.
Im now working up a load with 140gr TGK for deer and range time.
That link for $18 is about as cheap as you can get for premium ammo.
Hands down is what I’d be buying if i didn’t reload.

The 150 Nosler Partition has been incredible on Elk and Moose for me. I also like the 160.
Bullet choice really matters on these large deer

Partion all the way and leaning on going 160.

Too cheap not to try, got 4 boxes headed my way. 👍🏼

What, those blue box Federal's don't shoot good!!!


I do like partitions the best, but for factory ammo, that Federal is pretty good stuff. For deer and hogs, it will be perfect, and not cost an arm and a leg. Good luck buddy!!!

Don't fret those Federals, even at 400 yards. They do just fine, if your rifle is up to the task. This was shot with my featherweight, and a cheap azzed scope. So your rifle should sling them even better..:

I'd throw in the 150 AB as well.

You can also try the 150 grain Swift A-Frame or North Fork.

Gee, it seems a lot of bullets work well in the ol' 270....who knew??

In factory ammo the Winchester Power Point has worked wonderfully for me. Did a whole lot of killing with that 150 grain in a .270 WSM. Honestly, I think you would have a hard time finding a bad 150 grain .277 hunting bullet. In hand loads I have used the 150 Hornady IL, Nosler Partition, Game King, and Ballistic Tip and they all worked extremely well. That is in both the WSM and standard 270 which I use allot more.

This is what I expected to hear and what I was generally thinking…there sure has been enough folks say specifically Nosler Partition to where I’m going to at least try again with them.

I took my first ever deer with a 270Win in Nov, with Win PP 150gr which is really accurate in my Rem 700. Got this rifle near 3 years ago, had toyed with different loads of my own, but all in 130gr and 140gr, 3 different bullets, but had never really gotten serious with it, hunting with my other rifles. Then early this year I finally tried a box of Remington CL 150gr, it did about as good as any thing else I'd reloaded. Then I tried the Win PP 150gr factory and it's very accurate. Dropped my deer DRT at 55yds. So since I decided to try reloading 150gr Hornady IL and also tried them with H4350, my 30-06 powder. Bingo! Still teaking it out slightly but I'm there as good as I need1"- 1.25" @ 100yds @ 2725fps is plenty hot for me, 75yds as far as I've ever shot at a deer! And recently found the 130gr IL and H4350 to be exceptionally accurate. Haven't shot at game, but from my experience with IL's in other rifles, I'm confident they'll do beyond the call of duty! But I wouldn't hesitate to use Rem CL or Win PP, either in 150gr out to 250yds! Never tried the Fed Bluebox, no need to now, but I know they'd probably do as well!

In factory ammo, I'll toss another vote to the Remington 150 gr. semi-round nose. It is very accurate in the rifles I have tried it in and works great on whitetail and hogs at woods ranges.

The Nosler Solid Base bullet works well also. They may be making that again
in 150 gr 270. You can work up loads with the SBs and then drop 1/2 grain powder
for the Partitions. Same poi and velocity. Back in the day the SBs were cheaper to shoot.

Purely anecdotal, but I've always found that rounds that shoot bullets more or less specifically designed for them tend to work well with just about anything. IMO its part of the reason that the .270, .243, 30-30, .303, and 6.5's all seem to punch above their weight. The bullets are either designed to work with the specific calliber, and/ or the rounds that drive the bullet market for the particular caliber all have very similar balistics.

140 gr Partition.

The 150 Fusion has shot great in 270 WSM and killed quickly - even on a couple marginal shots.

Any testimony for/against Norma Oryx?

I would bet the same results as prior posters. In a 270 it will be plenty accurate.

150 grain Speer hot cor. My rifle doesn't like partitions

If the Accubond won’t shoot, try the Partition.

I use 130 grain ballistist tips in the 3 I ownn now and another i load for. I did have a Sako that would not shoot 130’s, but sure liked the 150 grain partitions

Tough to beat a 150NP. Although these W-W PP's in my Kimber have me wondering why I'd keep looking:

You keep looking because like all gun nuts you can’t help it. It’s an illness with no cure. Edk

For near 40 years it's been the nosler partition, since they decided to start sand/salt dry f'kin their lifelong customers, I stocked up heavily with 150gr Speer Grand Slams and Norma Oryx from RavenRocks, I don't expect to be disappointed.

Never had any problems with the 150gr Hornady spire point. A bunch of moose have fallen to my loads with this bullet. Both in my gun and a few friends that wanted me to load some for them. I never could figure why Big Red didn't have these in factory loads.

Another fan of the 150 gr Nosler Partition here. With RL26 with Alliant’s data, I get 3025 fps from a 22” barrel and superb accuracy.

Seems virtually every 150 grain 270 bullet out there is a good one. I have used a bunch of Speer Hotcors, Partitions, Hornady Spire points and Winchester Power Points. All performed perfectly.

If you don't load your own its up to whatever factory load your rifle shoots best. I load my own ammo for all my rifles and found 150 partitions with RL26 was as good as it gets in my 270

I used top loads of H4831 getting only mid 2800 fps. Worked just fine. Yes the Partition is my favorite.

Dang good to know that 219W. Thanks.

Love me some partitions. I scored 150 pulls from a guy here on the 'Fire who posts regularly in the Classifieds. Worked out to something like 55 cents per bullet shipped.

I'm using H-4831sc at around 2,800 fps for these. Recovered one from a Blacktail buck I shot stem-to-stern back in November. Picture perfect - need to post up some pictures.

I have a small stash of 150 Partition Golds that I'll work up a load with RL-26. This is just the regular partition on steroids.

150 grain Hornady spire point interlock.

bomtek44

Have 2 boxes left.

My favorite 150 is the 160, but I’m nearly out after loading some up for my son. Have a hundred or so 150gr NPs so those will probably replace the heavier ones.

Tried the 150s over 60gr of RL26, but they were a bit hot in my Hawkeye. I’ll give them a go again in my old FN that just got a bit of a redo.

Honestly, just about any 150-ish bullet should be just fine for deer and similar, even softish ones like Sierras.

Pappy,
An early lot of RL26 with 60g and 150 Pt’s did fine, later lots were too warm at 60g. I didn’t get any clear pressure signs but I’ve shot so many 270’s over the years I could tell.

I now use 59g at around 2950fps, it’s quite accurate, and I’m perfectly happy with that velocity.

Although my go-to 150 Pt load still involves H4831….

And yeah, my fav Partition load these days is the 160g.

In the beginning when I moved to Wyoming I was a hard core 30-06 guy. I picked up a custom Mauser in 270 really cheap from a guy that needed a stake to make it to his first check. 19 inch barrel, pretty light, express sights on it that probably cost more than I paid for it. Had to alter a Leupold base to get the screw holes to line up properly and put a 4 power Leupold on it. It was my backup rifle and loaner. Guy always needs people to help carry meat out elk hunting. That rifle made a bunch of one shot kills on Mulies and elk first with Speer's 150 gr. Hotcor than the same weight Partiton. Gave me a high opinion of the 270 for sure.

Thanks for that info. I’m gonna clock those out of my FN and see how it does, but will probably drop the charge for interchangeability sake.

FWIW, I load the 160s over the now discontinued W780, a middle of the road charge of 56gr. Have another pound of that.

That's what I'm thinking too. I love the price tag on the interlocks, and the fact Hornady has kept the shelves stocked, when other manufactures can't, or they feel the need to totally rape the hell out of us with their price increase. Frankly, those others can go fu ck themselves. Was that too harsh buddy?? ha ha. Maybe to some, but oh well.

Oh, Matt, those 150gr Federal blue boxed bullets look like this, and are $24.97/box at Wally world. I'd just use those, if your rifle likes them. No need to overthink it, especially if you don't want to handload:


Guys saying they are only good to 200 yards, are smoking something pretty heavy. Or on acid..

That would have been the 150 grain Nosler Partition……until it was replaced by a Barnes mono in 140 grain! memtb

Couple years back I scored 3 boxes (25ct) of WW Failsafes .277" anybody ever use these?. Mb

I found them to be inaccurate. Too many components to keep bullet balanced in my opinion.

Those bullets look a lot like Hornady's 150 gr. RN.

150 partition.for.elk and 150.sierra for.deer. great.loads for both and fun to develop them

This as well. My old Remington 721 will drive nails with anything you feed it.

Osky

Some of the newer monos are set to act more like NPT’s.

Check out CEB, Lehigh and Hammers. I’ve used CEB and Hammer. Only kill was with a Hammer. Pretty impressive terminal performance. And all the monos I’ve tried seem really accurate.

They not cheap.

DF

I bought a case of 130's and a case of 150's. Deer get the former and pigs the latter.

I should have known you’d have a stash.

Today I took my 1948 FN out to re-sight it after some futzing around I did and used those 60gr RL 26 loads that were a bit warm in my Ruger. Fired 8 of them and there were no obvious signs of trouble, but the average velocity was IIRC about 3070, with good SD and ES. I was shooting at 50, but accuracy seemed good. Still, I’m gonna take your hint and drop that load a grain. Alliant data shows 3022 with 60.8gr, with the F210s I used, but Fed brass, presumably less roomy than my WW brass.

Like they say, stop adding powder when you reach the top load OR top velocity…..

Barnes 130 TTSX
Nosler 130 Ballistic Tip or Accubond
Hornady 145 ELDX
I would shoot whichever your rifle prefers.

150 grains Nosler Partition ahead of 58 grains of H4831 = dead bull elk.

150 Hornady does well at 270 win speeds.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/17760436/1

Started out loading 150 gr. Speer HotCor for bulk, and Nosler Partitions for hunting.

Have since settled on Speer 150 gr. Grand Slams (current mono-lead core).

W/ enough H4831 powder to get ~ 2800 fps out of a 22" Bbl., don't think there is anything in the lower 48 it won't drop out to 400 yds.

Inexpensive, precise, and generally a pass-through w/ a nice exit wound, without the explosive destruction.




GR

Quite a few years ago I hunted a couple seasons with a guy who used them in his .300WM, and he claimed they shot quite well for him. They seemed far too tough for deer and terminal performance was pretty underwhelming. My .270 shooting Corelokts knocked deer down significantly quicker, but no way would he try anything else.

He was just one of those guys... pretty sure he lugged around that .300WM, belittling everyone else's "pea shooters", because he thought it proved something about his manhood, and pretty sure he mostly shot those Failsafes just because he thought the chrome cases looked cool.

I don’t shoot factory loaded much. If I felt like using 150 grain bullets, I’d guess it would be depend what I was hunting. If I had to use only one bullet for every animal I’d use partitions.

We found the failsafes to be too tough for our Alabama whitetail as well. They penetrate right through without opening up much at all. 130gr ballistic tips was our go to but used 130gr GameKings too.

The trophy bonded bear claw shot great out of a T3 I had but only took one large doe with the load.

Wanted to update after some range time. Those sig loads shot exactly the same for me. All in one hole and and same POA/POI as the Federal factory partition 150gr load.

I’ve ran like 6 or 7 different factory loads through this T3’s (I got used for a steal) and dang if it doesn’t shoot every thing well enough. I’ve got some more range time next week and I plan on taking some pictures and posting them. It’s been an interesting journey as I rarely ever try this many different loads in one gun.

If nothing else it’s been a testimony of Tikka rifles, I’ve just never ran across a bad one. They all are light, reliable and accurate. Looks and fit/feel are subjective and they do the important stuff well at a price I like.

So far the 130gr partition is shooting just under moa and the 150gr partition 1.25-1.5moa. The 150gr federal blue box 1-1.25 moa. 150 GameKings are .75 -1 moa.

My rifle definitely shoots the lighter stuff better (I didn’t list all the 130gr stuff I’ve tried) with the 140gr tipped GameKings seeming to be the sweet spot in the middle consistently shooting better than I can hold. Most groups all in one hole but a few in the .75moa range where I think it’s me not the load or gun.

I've changed my tune about Tikka's, I've always maintained that they are a very cheap design produced to a very high standard. When the T3 first started showing up in my neck of the woods they were priced higher than their Winchester, Remington (who at that point was still fairly reputable), and Ruger counterparts. Comparing a T3 hunter to a Winchester M70fwt for instance (which IIRC actually cost less at that point) I couldnt understand how anyone would pick the T3. Slowly but surely the competitor's prices have climbed, and in many cases the QC has suffered or the products are simply produced to a lower standard, and its pretty hard to argue that Tikka isnt the best bang-for-buck option out there right now.

The 140gr Nosler Accubond really outperforms its weight. Use it as my primary bulllet in 270win, 270wsm & 270wby.

We have used the 150 Oryx on 2 deer.

They hold their weight well, expand bigger than i would like, causing less penetration than I would like . Good bullet, but I would use others on bigger game.

VERY accurate for me.

Sierra 150gr sbt. Many elk and deer dead

"I’m apparently jinxed—I can’t recall ever having factory ammo shoot worth a hoot….."

It's been a few years but when I bought my last .270 on an impulse at a gun show, I stopped off and a Walmart and picked up to boxes of 150 gr. Winchester Power point ammo. I've always bought a couple of boxes of factory to check out a new to me firearm. The next day I took it to the range to get an idea on how it would shot. I ran four 5 shot groups allowing a minute between shots and a five minute cool down after each group. The first group was just about .50" The last group was .80" as by then the barrel was quite warm.

The next time at the range I tried the rifle with my pet load using Winchester's long discontinued WMR powder and the 150 gr. Sierra Game King. Again running five shot groups. First group was .375" and the last .75" again using the same spacing between shots.

I also used WMR with the 150 gr. Nosler Partition with results similar to what I got with the Sierras. Interesting note is both load shoot almost to exactly the same place. I forget which did which but the center of the group for one bullet was a half inch to the right of the center of the first group so that if I shot a group of six shots, three Sierras and three Noslers, the final group was right 1.5". I could mix and match on a hunt and not worry about where the bullet would hit on the game.

While I haven't used a 270 as much as maybe I should have, I have found that it is one of the easiest cartridges to work up an accurate and powerful load. I will admit that I prefer the 150 gr. bullet for all game in the .270. The few 130 gr. bullets I tried were accurate enough but I felt they damaged too much good eating meat so went with the heavier version. The last animal I took with a .270 was an antelope in New Mexico on a private ranch hunt, Easy stalk to about 75 yards from the "goat" and the 150 gr. Sierra did a number on the animal. Entrance hole was about an inch and exit 1.75 to maybe 2.0".

One of my hunting buddies uses a .270 almost exclusively for all his hunts. His favorite bullet, even for elk, is the 150 gr. Sierra Game King although lately he's been working with one of the Barnes TSX bullets. Dunno if he'l make a permanent switch of go back to the game King.
PJ

I’m tempted to stop at the 150gr federal blue box, buy a case and call it good.[/quote]

That's what I would do.

I shot 4 does with the SIG ammo last week. No issues there either. Glad I bought 25 boxes of it.

270 Win velocities are easy on 150 grain bullets - I think one would be hard pressed to find a 150 that didn't work well.

I've used the 150 Ballistic Tip and 150 Partition on elk with indistinguishable results...

My thoughts as well. Find the one that shoots and you're covered from bucks to bulls.

As the grand ole' 270 Winchester continues to be a great hunting cartridge. I see no reason for it to fail, may it always be a great round.

Lately, I've settled into 130TTSX for most purposes, but I have taken a couple moose with 160NPs over RL26 with great results.

Partitions

Nosler Partitions, Swift A Frames, and Hornady Interloks are all winners.

PARTITION..

The 150 grain partition has always worked good for me.

I never really thought about having a .270, until I got a Mod 70 in a trade. It is an amazing shooter with 130 Interlocks and also the 150s. I settled on the 130, as I shoot only deer with it. I would not hesitate to use the 150 Interlocks on about any game, though.

Favorite the 150 grain Speer Hotcor. Second the 150 Nosler Partition. Used the 150 grain Hornady's some both the spire point and the round nose. All great bullets.

150 Partitions have been excellent for my family on a large variety of game from whitetails and hogs to kudu, sable, and Zebra. It’s my absolute favorite bullet for the .270 WCF.

When I carried a 270 a lot I mostly shot 130s. NBTs and interlocks.

When elk were on the menu I used 150 partitions and used them throughout that hunting season at home and abroad. They worked perfectly on all manner of game from antelope to elk.