.270 for Big Elk

[LVHunter2314]

The largest caliber I have is a 7MM mag that I know will do the job. MY problem my Dad and I are going on the hunt of a lifetime this year and Dad is going to use the Mag. I have a .270 that is great for Muleys and I have taken several cow elk with it. But I am not sure that it's going to be enough gun for Elk over the 320 inch mark. Any help you guys can offer will be appreciated. I can go out and buy a new gun but at this time would prefer not too.

 

[Silentstalker]

The 270 is plenty for elk. Shoot a high quality bullet and moderate distances and only shoot if you can put it through the ribs broadside. I have seen the ole 270 kill plenty of elk. Good luck on your hunt!

Chad

 

[GSH]

270 is fine, if you have taken cows with it in the past you will be fine...A 320 bull only refers to the size of the horns, all elk have the same vitals.

 

[Hell_Hole]

The 270 will kill it with no problem, if there are many other hunters in the area, you may want to use a lager caliber to anchor them before they run over the ridge.

 

[camonick]

put a .270 bullet in the lungs and prepare for a heavy packout! Its shootplacement and bullet construction that matter the most.

 

[completesportsman]

You'll probably want a 338-378 Weatherby for BIG elk!

Just kidding, 270 should do just fine.

GO HEELS!

 

[LVHunter2314]

Thanks guys I shoot that .270 very well so confidence is high for shot placement. I have just had it in the back of my head that the 7mm is the gun I would always use. But since Pops and I are going together I opted to let him have that one. Again thank you

 

[Roy]

The .270 is great for elk - big or small - it has a maximum effective range of up to 450 yards for elk and will work at longer distances if you know how to shoot, the maximum effectivity goes down a bit beyond that. Great caliber.

UTROY
Proverbs 21:19 (why I hunt!)

 

[stinky]

Wellllll, about the only thing that the 7mm has on the .270 is kick and about 50 yards. Look it up, the big 3 (rem, win, fed) post such data on their websites.

Your .270 is good for around 400 yards on elk. This is based on conversations w/my friend, who has hunted CO elk, w/a .284 (which is just about identical to a .280) and the ranges that he has used his gun.

Also, stand back, there are going to be some folks that take exception the the two above statements.

 

[sworhntr]

I will agree with stalker, good quality bullets and bullet placement and it should work fine. My first rifle was a 270 and used 130gr bullets and did'nt have a problem.

 

[sageadvice]

Just don't be fooled into using the 150 grain round nose bullets. Round nose bullets are fine in tubular magazines, thick brush country, and up to 250 yds or so. After that, they loose velocity very fast causing major loss of energy and flight path elevation. Stick with high down range energy pointed bullets and leave those round nose jobs for elephant...

Joey

 

[sagebrush]

Years ago, when I was shopping for my current deer rifle, I was convinced on the 7MM Remington Mag. The only problem was the dealers in my area were sold out the the brand rifle I wanted in that caliber. I really wanted to get my rifle and didn't want to wait two more months. Back to the drawing board on caliber. After a lot of study, I bought a .270 Winchester. The ballistics difference between the two is really very minimal. The only advantage of the 7MM is 165 gr bullets in factory loads over 150 gr bullets in the .270. I use Speer Nitrex 150 gr with the Swift A-Frame on elk and it lets the air out of them just fine.

 

[KILLERBEE]

info from my book
maximum effective range for a .270 wichester is farther 370 yrds with a 140 gr bullet than it is [335 yrds] with a 150 gr bullet.
the maximum effective range is the last point a bullet is traveling AT LEAST 2000 ft. per second AND carrying AT LEAST 1500 ft. lbs. of energy. [ they CAN kill farther, these are just good effective numbers that are real accurate]

with a 140 gr. bullet traveling 2980 ft per second at the barrel sighting in will be very close as follows

2 1/2" high 100yrds
center at 27 yrds
1" high at 50 yrds
2 1/2 " high at 100
3" high at 140
2" high at 200
center at 250
3" low at 290
16"low at 400
36"low at 500
sighting it in like this will give you the greatest distance of shooting without having to adjust your hold,[ the great distance to stay no more than 3" high to 3" low]


hope it helps

 

[apollosmith]

.270 has worked great for me on several elk. I've only had one take more than a step and that was due to poor shot placement. I'd highly recommend a good premium bullet in 150 grain.

You can see video of what my .270 did on my bull elk this year at http://smithplanet.com/archives/my-elk-hunt It dropped right in it's bed and did little more than twitch after that.

 

[JadgBob]

That is a great litle video clip! What brand and model camera do you have?

Bob

 

[dwalton]

My wife dropped her 330+ bull with a 270 loaded with 130 grain Partitions. A shot to the boiler room had him acting like a drunken sailor. A 270 with a premium bullet will get the job done.

 

[apollosmith]

It's a Canon GL2. Great camera and fits in my pack just fine. The camera man was a bit jumpy at the shot, but it turned out good. I had no idea the other camera was even rolling. He was spotting for us and decided to try and get it on camera and it just worked out perfect. These aren't pros by any means, just buddies that were willing to bring cameras along. It's sure a great way to remember a fantastic hunt.

BTW, I used Federal Fusion in 150 grain.

 

[Boskee]

That .270 shooting a Nosler partition, accubond, Trophy bonded, or swift a frame will anchor them just fine. Try to keep the shots 400 or less and if you do your part you'll fill the freezer and that spot over the mantle. Bull elk can be tough critters but hardly any of them can survive the bad medicine that a well placed shot in the boiler room from a .270 can provide. Thousands of bulls throughout the west have been shot with .270's and never knew the difference. Hope you have a great hunt and one of the best attributes of the .270 is it's accuracy and that coupled with a good opportunity are the recipe for a memorable trip.

 

[lilhun6993]

I've shot a 270 almost my whole hunting career and thats by choice. i"ve used 300, 308, 300 mag. they all work and have their plusses. but i have killed 3 elk, small and large, longest at 423 yards, and she put em down 1 shot. its not necessarily the gun its how its shot.

 

[1911]

>.270 has worked great for me
>on several elk. I've only
>had one take more than
>a step and that was
>due to poor shot placement.
>I'd highly recommend a good
>premium bullet in 150 grain.
>
>
>You can see video of what
>my .270 did on my
>bull elk this year at
>http://smithplanet.com/archives/my-elk-hunt It dropped right in
>it's bed and did little
>more than twitch after that.
>

Man Apollo, I still get a kick out of watching that video. That spotting scope footage is just awesome. Watching him fold then hearing the distant shot ring out.

 

[bowhunt10]

That sounds like some great advice by people who have been there and done it. Now which would you guys choose if you had the choice for antelope , mule deer and elk. a 30-06 or a .270?

 

[coues52]

I would still use the sierra 140 btsp.3" high at 100yds =back straps,lol.Danny

 

[Pappabull]

A good reason to tell your wife you need a new gun. Then go buy a 300 Win. Mag.

 

[shootem]

I use 140 grain accubonds and have had great success with my 270. Antelope, Deer, And Elk. Works Killer!!

 

[sagebrush]

When you put antelope and mule deer in the mix, I would choose the .270 over the 30-06 every time. 130 gr Hornady SST makes it a flat shooting one shot kill.

 

[LVHunter2314]

Thanks for all the info guys. I have been a big fan of Best of the West and ordered some of their Berger Bullets in 140 gr. I am testing them this weekend and will see just what the fuss is. They are very pricey but I don't reload and the performance I have seen on the show looks fantastic. I know it's shot placement that counts and I can probably get the same results with Hornaday 140 gr. bullets but we'll see.