I entered a sweepstakes on line the other day for a whitetail hunt out west and got to thinking what rifle would I take if I won? It was a free hunt for two including airfare, guide, accommodations etc. It was a BYO rifle however and not a complete package deal. The smart thing if I had the money would be to probably buy a new rifle in one of the .300 Win Mags or better yet the .300WSM.
I let my Ruger .300 Win mag go several years ago on a trade for something else. I also let the 30:06 go a while back. My two best in house candidates would be the .308 Savage Weather Warrior and the older Ruger Model 77 Mark II in .270 Win.
Since the game would be whitetails, I would likely take the .270 Win with whatever factory load shot the best. I would probably opt for one of the premium 130 grain bullets available for a flatter trajectory.
The .270 has better long range ballistics than the .308 does and since the game is whitetails only, one of the premium 130 grain loads that shoot real well would be just the ticket. One could argue and probably convince me that I should never have let my Ruger .300 Win Mag go and simply use that. I do regret letting that rifle set up slip through my hands, however what is done is done. If I ever had the money to get another one, I would probably buy one of the .300WSM rifles.
Dan
http://www.gunnersden.com/index.htm.270winchester-ballistics-hunting.html
In the chart below with a 130 grain bullet and a 200 yard zero, the bullet only drops 5.7 inches at 300 yards and -16.7 at 400 yards. The .270 would make a good 300-350 yard rifle on whitetails.
270 Win. Ballistics:
Rifle Barrel Length: 24 Inches.
Ammuntion: Hornady, 270 Win., 130 Grain SST Bullet, Superformance.
Bullet Diameter: .277 Inch.
Bullet Weight: 130 Grains.
Bullet Ballistic Coeffecient: .460.
Note: FPS. = Feet Per Second, FT. LBS. = Foot Pounds & IN. = Inches. |
|
Range
|
Muzzle
|
100 yds.
|
200 yds.
|
300 yds.
|
400 yds.
|
500 yds.
|
Yards
|
| Bullet Velocity: |
3,200
|
2,984
|
2,778
|
2,582
|
2,393
|
2,213
|
FPS.
|
| Bullet Energy: |
2,955
|
2,570
|
2,228
|
1,924
|
1,653
|
1414
|
FT. LBS.
|
| Bullet Trajectory: |
- 1.5"
|
+ 1.2"
|
0"
|
- 5.7"
|
- 16.7"
|
- 33.7"
|
IN.
|
Another Link to .270 Win performance:
http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.270+Winchester.html
EXCERPT:
"I am going to post only the factory ammunition load data here as I do not hand load any longer:
Factory ammunition
Today, there is a huge range of factory ammunition for hunters to chose from and it is common for factories to offer two to three distinct lines of ammunition, standard, semi premium and premium. For the hunter, shopping for .270 ammunition can end up a confusing and frustrating affair. More often than not, hunters, regardless of their financial means, will opt for a low priced load and buy several packets in order to gain practice.
Winchester Olin, PMC, Remington, Hornady and Federal all offer basic entry level 130 and 150 grain soft point bullets. In earlier days, these designs were the feature loadings. Muzzle velocities for the 130 grain loads now average 3030fps from 24” barrels. Both Federal and Winchester offer the hottest loads producing between 3050 and 3060fps, right on advertised specifications. PMC is now the slowest at 2900fps but makes for a good light recoiling medium game, moderate range load, duplicating the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser with hand loads.
Generally speaking, the basic factory 130 grain soft point loads produce hydrostatic shock on medium game down to an impact velocity of 2600fps. Remington, Federal and Olin loads stay above the 2600fps figure out to between 150 and 175 yards. Between the impact velocities of 2600fps and 2400fps, hydrostatic shock is absent but wide wounding leads to fast killing in a matter of a few seconds. The above factory loads break the 2400fps at between 250 and 275 yards. At impact velocities below 2400fps or beyond 275 yards, wounds become narrow and killing delayed. At these ranges, rear lung shots should be avoided in favor of the forwards shoulder point of aim.
Winchester Olin standard loads currently feature the 130 grain Power Point at a true 3060fps in 24” barreled sporters, the 130 grain Silver Tip also at 3060fps and the 150 grain Power Point advertised at 2850fps for a realistic 2780fps. The ball powder used by Winchester in their 130 grain loads loses little velocity in shorter 22” barrels to the order of 20fps per inch of barrel lost while the 150 grain load is true to the rule of thumb losing 35fps per inch.
The 130 grain Power Point and Silvertip are ideally suited to lighter deer species but each performs differently. The Silver Tip’s original aluminum ballistic tip gives explosive expansion for cross body lung shots while an attempt to arrest mushrooming occurs at the cannelure which in turn tends to cause a delayed but gradual total disintegration of the projectile . The 130 grain Power Point offers slightly more controlled expansion and although the Silver Tip will sometimes exit lighter medium game on cross body shots, the Power Point’s longer wound channel is more able to create a broader exit wound for blood trailing.
The 150 grain Power Point load gives around 2710fps in the average 22” sporter, duplicating factory .308 Win 150 grain loadings. The low velocity of this loading, initially designed to minimize meat damage, also helps control expansion and prevents bullet blow up at close ranges. The Power Point produces fast killing on medium game at close ranges, creating free bleeding exit wounds on cross body shots. Nevertheless, this load suffers in open country at ranges beyond 100 yards due to the low velocity resulting in narrow wounds.
Olin’s semi premium Supreme load features the130 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip for a true 3050fps. Marketed under the brand name Ballistic Silvertip CT (Winchester Nosler Combined Technologies), the Nosler is dressed with a Grey colored polymer tip to symbolize the traditional Silvertip bullet. The Ballistic Silvertip is coated in black colored Lubalox which decreases bore friction allowing loads easily reach advertised velocities within industry pressure specifications.
Ballistically superior to the original Silvertip, the BST is designed purely for long range open country work on medium game. Terminal performance is very similar to the original Silvertip and identical to the 130 grain Sierra GameKing where velocity is equal. At close ranges, energy transfer occurs incredibly fast, creating large internal wounds which peter out quickly. On animals over 40 kg ( 80 lb ) cross body shots result in either a small exit wound or none as the remainder of the projectile comes to rest under the skin. The BST will either disintegrate or shed its core when striking pelvic bone at close range, a clue as to why Nosler developed the Partition Bullet many years ago. At longer ranges, the BST comes into its own, simply due to higher BC’s than traditional .270 offerings which translates into higher downrange velocity for wider wounding. The BST remains above 2400fps out to 325 yards.
During the mid 1990's Winchester released the 140 grain Failsafe at 2920fps. With its Lubalox coating and four expanding blender blade like petals, the Failsafe was marketed quite aptly as the Black Talon along with an eagle claw emblem. The front of the Failsafe is similar to the Barnes X while the rear features a lead insert similar to the Partition. The Failsafe is an extremely stout bullet, out penetrating all .270 hunting bullets on the market. The Failsafe produces the smallest frontal area of all .270 projectiles and likewise can produce equally small wound channels. On lighter animals, the Failsafe gives slow kills, even at close range, when shots strike behind the shoulder into the rear lungs. If shoulder bones are struck, an extremely violent wound channel is created which momentarily bells out the offside skin. If the gut is breached during the projectile’s travel, gut fiber follows the path of the bullet and becomes trapped in large clumps under the skin where it was temporarily belled ( similar to the 300 magnums. ) This bullet is best suited to animals weighing in excess of 150 kg (330 lbs ) and an optimum choice, though at its absolute limit, if using the .270 for neck shooting heavy game.
A recent addition to the Winchester supreme line is the Nosler 140 grain Accubond (Lubalox coated) producing a mild 2950fps in 24” barrels and 2880fps in 22” barrels. As an all-round medium game bullet for the .270, the Accubond is one of the best on the market. While higher muzzle velocities would be useful, the Accubond performs well out to 300 yards on a variety of game and produces broad wounding for fast kills.
One of the more commonly used brands of ammunition because of its economy, is PMC ammunition. Standard loads in the Bronze line include the 130 grain soft point at an advertised 2950fps and 150 grain at 2750fps. The 130 grain load is regularly used by budget minded hunters and at realistic muzzle velocities of 2900fps, is a lower recoiling, modest performing load giving best performance inside 250 yards.
PMC Silver brand loads include the Sierra 130 grain GameKing at 3050fps and the 150 grain GameKing at 2850fps. The 130 grain GK works well at the true muzzle velocities of 2900fps, producing fast, uniform kills with ordinary cross body and slightly quartering shots on medium game inside 250 yards. The 150 grain bullet is definitely different. On lean animals, kills can be delayed due to a lack of energy transfer. The 150 grain GK is best used on game weighing above 80kg (180lb) as a safe minimum. At 2750-2800fps, this load is again best used out to moderate, rather than longer ranges. That said, penetration of the GK launched at 2750-2800fps is much better than the typical jacket core separation that occurs when this bullet is hand loaded to 2950fps and driven into vitals from raking angles.
The PMC Gold line features the 130 grain Barnes TSX at 2910fps and 150 grain TSX at 2700fps. Although these are both good projectiles, the velocities of PMC ammunition in sporting rifles are far too low for optimum performance.
Current light weight loadings from the Hornady Custom line include the 130 grain SST and 130 grain Interlock bullets at an advertised 3060fps. Both loads produce over 3000fps in 24” barrels and 2920fps in 22” barrels. Neither of these loads are as good as one might come to expect from Hornady.
The Interlock soft point is prone to total disintegration at close ranges when striking bone while the SST is prone to suffer early jacket core separation under the same conditions. In some cases, penetration of the SST may be as little as 6”. Nevertheless, both projectiles produce wide wounds and fast killing when matched to light framed game. No doubt both bullets have been used to take most North American game however for best performance, limiting as it may seem, both loads are best suited to game weighing less than 60kg. The SST produces fast killing out to 325 yards, the Interlock soft point producing best performance inside 275 yards.
The 130 grain SST is also offered as a Superformance loading at 3200fps. Along with this, Hornady now manufacture the 130 grain GMX bullet at 3190fps for around 3120fps in 22” barreled sporters. This homogenous copper bullet, like the Barnes TSX, does its best work at either close range/ high impact velocities or on tougher animals. The GMX is ideally suited to game weighing above 90kg (200lb) and up to 320kg (700lb).
Medium weights from Hornady include the 140 grain Interlock BTSP at an advertised velocity of 2940fps for just over 2900fps and 2830fps respectively along with the 140 grain SST Superformance load at 3090fps giving around 3020fps in 22” barrels. Of these, the SST is the more spectacular killer on medium game and even though it is only 10 grains heavier than the often shallow penetrating 130 grain SST, the 140 grain version is a better bullet. Neither of the 140 grain bullets are totally reliable for close range raking shots on Whitetail sized deer however wounds created by the SST are usually severe enough to slow animals down and allow for fast follow up shots. The 140 grain SST SF load is extremely violent and fast killing out to 275 yards, retaining its ability to produce broad wounding out to 400 yards.
The heavy weight of the Hornady line is the 150 grain Interlock at 2840fps for realistic velocities of 2770fps. This soft bullet opens up quickly on impact, even at low velocities. Penetration is usually excellent on cross body and quartering shots but poor with tail on shots. Unfortunately, approximately one bullet in one hundred will suffer bullet blow up on the shoulder bones of game weighing as light as 60kg (130lb). The lower velocities of this load do help minimize occurrences of bullet blow up but also dictate that the 150 grain Interlock is best suited to closer ranges if high shock and broad wounding is to be maximized.
Remington’s traditional .270 130 grain loadings are the Bronze point and Core-Lokt at an advertised at 3060fps. The Bronze point performs similarly to Winchester’s Silvertip, an explosive design for open country hunting while the Core-Lokt utilizes controlled expansion. From current velocities of around 3030fps, the Core-Lokt does its best work inside 250 yards while the Bronze point is superior out at the 300 yard mark due to its ability to create wider wounds. As much as the Core-Lokt projectile is a good performer on game, there is an definite change from fast killing inside 250 yards to very slow killing at 275 yards with rear lung shots. For fast kills at longer ranges, the Core-Lokt must be driven through shoulder bones. The Bronze point has a more aerodynamic shape in comparison to the flat tip design of the Core-Lokt but it does not have a greatly superior BC. Performance is instead, enhanced through the use of the more explosive bullet design.
Remington’s heavyweight standard loading consists of the 150 grain round nose Core-Lokt at an advertised 2850fps for true velocities of 2800fps. This is a well designed projectile and while it would have been nice to have a pointed 150 grain Core-Lokt at 2950fps, the factory 150 grain loading is sufficient for bush/woods hunting large medium game.
Remington have, in the past, made several attempts to produce high grade ammunition. For many years, performance was retarded by low velocities. The 135 grain and 140 grain Remington Extended Range loadings are prime examples, neither achieved over 2800fps in 22” barreled sporters. Next came the 130 grain Nosler Ballistic tip but again, fairly mild at around 2850fps. With competition being centered around high velocity loadings, Remington finally made more effective changes.
The latest .270 offering under the brand name Remington Accutip, is similar, if not identical to the Hornady 130 grain SST (it may well be). The Accutip is colored bronze in line with Remington's original Bronze Point ammunition. The 130 grain Accutip loading produces 3060fps in 24” barreled sporters and 2990fps in 22” barrels. Performance is identical to the SST.
Remington now offer 3 core bonded loadings in their premier range. These include the 130 grain Swift Scirocco at 3060fps, the 140 grain Core-Lokt Ultra at 2925fps and finally the 140 Swift A-Frame, also at 2925fps. The 130 grain Scirocco is a fast expanding, fast killing bullet suitable for all around work on medium game. Like the InterBond, penetration is excellent on medium game with all but tail on shots. The 140 grain Ultra is similar to the Scirocco in terminal performance but lacks the high BC of the sleek Swift bullet. The A-Frame, which has a very similar shape to the Core-Lokt, is the stoutest of the three, offering deeper penetration and optimum performance on Elk sized game.
Federal’s traditional standard .270 loads include the 130 grain Hi-Shok at 3060fps and 150 grain Hi-Shok round nosed at 2850fps. These loads are also branded as Vital-Shok and more recently- American Eagle. Construction of the Hi-Shok is near identical to the Remington Core-Lokt however the Federal projectiles are somewhat more brittle and prone to lose vast amounts of weight when striking bone. Like the Core-Lokt, the 130 grain Hi-Shok has a low BC and loses a great amount of velocity over a moderate range, resulting in very slow kills beyond 250 yards with rear long shots. This load is usually extremely accurate in a wide variety of rifles- providing the rifle itself is an accurate platform. It therefore goes without saying that at 300 yards, using an accurate rifle, the Hi-Shok load can produce fast kills with extra care to shot placement.
The Federal Premium branded ammunition features both standard and enhanced velocity (HE) loadings for bolt action rifles. Loads include the 130 grain Sierra GameKing, the 130 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and 130 grain Partition, the 130 grain Barnes TSX, the 130 grain Fusion (core bonded), the 140 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, 140 grain Accubond, 145 grain Fusion, 150 grain GameKing, 150 grain Partition and finally, the 150 grain Fusion.
Unfortunately, Federal’s attempts to try and cover all bases has a tendency to cause more confusion rather than offering solutions. Furthermore, most gun store owners simply cannot afford to carry such a vast range of stock. Several of these loads duplicate the performance of others within the line and are ultimately, counter productive.
The 130 grain Sierra GameKing and Ballistic Tip bullets at 3060fps produce identical results on game. Explosive wounding and adequate penetration for cross body and quartering shots on lighter medium game are the hallmarks of these bullets. It is somewhat unfair that the GameKing is listed as a premium projectile because as a reloading component, the GK is a basic budget cup and core style projectile. Realistically, Federal could or should replace the Hi-Shok bullet with this very fast killing and accurate offering.
The 130 grain Partition was, as mentioned, a favorite of Jack O’Connor’s. Although O’Connor used this bullet on all game, the 130 grain bullet is better suited to lighter animals and on game weighing less than 80kg, the 130 grain Partition really shines. The Partition is always at its best when correctly matched to the job at hand. The 130 grain projectile has a low SD and simply cannot be expected to give the same deep penetration that the 150 grain Partition is capable of.
The 130 grain TSX at 3060fps is best suited to use on larger animals, weighing above 80kg (180lb), up to the size of Elk with ordinary chest shots. On lighter animals, as velocity falls below 2600fps (225 yards), the TSX does not meet enough resistance to impart shock within the first half inch of penetration. Kills on light game can slow regardless of the usually good internal wounding. This can however be avoided by ensuring shots are aimed to strike major shoulder bones and the forwards section of the lungs.
The 130 grain Fusion bullet at 3060fps is a fast killing bullet on lighter medium game inside 250 yards. Penetration is on par with the Partition although slighty better where heavy bone is encountered. Apart from this, the Fusion offers nothing that cannot be done with the Barnes 130 grain TSX.
The 140 grain TBBC is offered at a velocity of 3100fps. Why Federal felt the need to offer both the 130 grain Barnes and the similar 140 grain TBBC is anyone’s guess. Performance of the TBBC duplicates that of the TSX.
The 140 grain Accubond at 2950 is as already mentioned, a very good load. The Accubond is somewhat faster expanding and faster killing than the 130 grain Fusion at longer ranges or the 150 grain Fusion at all ranges.
The 150 grain Sierra GameKing advertised at 3000fps, gives around 2950fps in 24” barreled sporters and around 2880fps in 22” barrels. The 150 grain GameKing is an odd projectile; too stout for fast kills on light game with rear lung shots but too soft to be useful on larger medium game. This load is perhaps best suited to game weighing right around the 80kg (180lb) mark at extended ranges of 200 to 350 yards- a very narrow range of performance.
The 150 grain Partition is an excellent projectile, one of the very best. Ironically, Federal load this projectile to 2850fps for a realistic 2800fps rather than the much more useful velocity of 2950fps (from 24” barrels)."
The only change I would make might to my current rifle would be a new higher end scope with a ballistic plex set up of some sort on it.
A couple of options to consider from SWFA:
