270 Win. At short distances.

[Wolfer1980]

Jack O'Connor extolled the virtues of the 270Win for all sorts of good reasons, but mostly because he got "paid" to do so, until he found out he had a dedicated audience who also appreciated the excellent cartridge.

However, O'Connor also extolled cartridges such as the venerable 30-06 Springfield and even the 30-30Win.

O'Connor made a lot of money and gained a lot of valuable notoriety, along with his wife Eleanor, on the back of the 270Win.

That wouldn't have been possible if the cartridge wasn't as good as it was and still is.

I remember him making a comment at a trade show, comparing the Swede 6.5x55 to the 270Win. He called them "somewhat twins" when loaded with comparable bullet weights to equal velocities. There was a lot more, but that's the part which stuck with me and started my love affair with the 6.5x55 Swede as well.

Up until a decade ago, I've always avoided the 270Win, or any other 270 cal cartridge. NOT BECAUSE THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM.

I shoot a lot of different cartridges and calibers, especially which share bullet diameters, such as 223, 243, 25, 264, 284, 308-312, 323, 338, 458.

That covers a huge spectrum of performance, none of which the 277 cal cartridges do better or worse, and really do nothing else but fill a very small gap between some already very capable cartridges.

For a long time, other than a few wildcats, there really weren't any other cartridges utilizing the 277 diameter bullets than the 270Win.

I didn't need or want another "odd" caliber on the shelf, which couldn't be used in any other cartridge, or that I felt like going down another rabbit hole with a wildcat.

I had friends doing that, they made up 277/308 chambered cartridges, 277x39 improved cartridges, 277x57, and one even had to try his hand at his own magnum cased 277, based on the 458 Win mag, because he had a lot of cases on hand and a 277 barrel he had picked up somewhere.

They were all fun and interesting, but ??????????

 

[Suther]

If the 7mm Backcountry takes off and proves itself, manufactures (Rifle/Ammunition) will possibly produce such in all cartridges. The 277 Fury has raised my eyebrows a few times, but what bolt action will take the pressures?

According to Federal the BC case handles the extra pressure and if it's safe for 65k with a brass case it's good to go with the BC too. No redesign of rifles needed.

 

[Wolfer1980]

Jack O'Connor extolled the virtues of the 270Win for all sorts of good reasons, but mostly because he got "paid" to do so, until he found out he had a dedicated audience who also appreciated the excellent cartridge.

However, O'Connor also extolled cartridges such as the venerable 30-06 Springfield and even the 30-30Win.

O'Connor made a lot of money and gained a lot of valuable notoriety, along with his wife Eleanor, on the back of the 270Win.

That wouldn't have been possible if the cartridge wasn't as good as it was and still is.

I remember him making a comment at a trade show, comparing the Swede 6.5x55 to the 270Win. He called them "somewhat twins" when loaded with comparable bullet weights to equal velocities. There was a lot more, but that's the part which stuck with me and started my love affair with the 6.5x55 Swede as well.

Up until a decade ago, I've always avoided the 270Win, or any other 270 cal cartridge. NOT BECAUSE THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM.

I shoot a lot of different cartridges and calibers, especially which share bullet diameters, such as 223, 243, 25, 264, 284, 308-312, 323, 338, 458.

That covers a huge spectrum of performance, none of which the 277 cal cartridges do better or worse, and really do nothing else but fill a very small gap between some already very capable cartridges.

For a long time, other than a few wildcats, there really weren't any other cartridges utilizing the 277 diameter bullets than the 270Win.

I didn't need or want another "odd" caliber on the shelf, which couldn't be used in any other cartridge, or that I felt like going down another rabbit hole with a wildcat.

I had friends doing that, they made up 277/308 chambered cartridges, 277x39 improved cartridges, 277x57, and one even had to try his hand at his own magnum cased 277, based on the 458 Win mag, because he had a lot of cases on hand and a 277 barrel he had picked up somewhere.

They were all fun and interesting, but ??????????

 

[Wolfer1980]

Shoot heavier bullet. For thicker bush

 

[Wolfer1980]

I have killed everything in alberta except bison with 270 win. For close up twist doesn't matter. Get a heavier roster partition or other well built hunting bullet.

 

[Denver Steve]

Bush hunting short ranges with a 270, sounds like you need to be running a 180 grain woodleigh weldcore bullet.
The bullet stabilizes in a normal 1-10" barrel. Here it is on the left, next to a thirty caliber 220 grain Nosler partition, for a size reference.

 

[Lastgun]

WOWSER Beauty Whitie ! That’s a Bragging about Deer

Earlier in the fall that same buck had double drops as well that hung 12 inches on both sides...Saw him limping badly across the pasture one late afternoon and put him down before the wolves got to him.

A super stud heavy duty 185" 5x5 that he ran with for a few years beat the crap out out of this much smaller bodied but mega racked king during the brutal rut...He went 209" gross even though he was missing those 24 inches of drop tines.

 

[ToeCutter]

This is where the 30-30 comes into play.
Everyone knows a 30-30 is needed in every gun locker/safe to be taken out for a walk on such occasions .

The Yellowstone effect is standing in the way of that currently, no way am I paying the stupid prices people think their clapped out M94 is worth right now.

 

[pathfinder76]

If the 7mm Backcountry takes off and proves itself, manufactures (Rifle/Ammunition) will possibly produce such in all cartridges. The 277 Fury has raised my eyebrows a few times, but what bolt action will take the pressures?

Yours apparently

 

[270WSMXBolt]

All obstructions, grass or brush, thick or thin, will cause a poor shot. I don't think the OP was saying they shoot through the stuff. Cheers

 

[track]

Yours apparently

It appears that way.

 

[pathfinder76]

Minus the steel case to boot. Glad it’s your face and not mine.

 

[mimile]

At such short distance, you should choose your bullets carefully. Cup and core bullets should not exceed 2900 fps when they hit the game, otherwise they can explode or destroy much meat. Mono bullets like speed, they do not open below, say 2200 fps. Partitioned bullets and bonded are more reliable than cup and core at short distances, with the same speed.
If you don't have a chronograph or want to keep it simple, go for a 150 bullet of any kind. The velocity will be in the 2800 fps for most commercial offerings, which is perfect for short distances. This includes Hornady Il, Nosler partition, Remington CL and Federal Blue box. The least expensive is the CL. If I were you, I would start with it and if your rifle shoots it well, call it a day.

 

[Joel]

At such short distance, you should choose your bullets carefully. Cup and core bullets should not exceed 2900 fps when they hit the game, otherwise they can explode or destroy much meat. Mono bullets like speed, they do not open below, say 2200 fps. Partitioned bullets and bonded are more reliable than cup and core at short distances, with the same speed.
If you don't have a chronograph or want to keep it simple, go for a 150 bullet of any kind. The velocity will be in the 2800 fps for most commercial offerings, which is perfect for short distances. This includes Hornady Il, Nosler partition, Remington CL and Federal Blue box. The least expensive is the CL. If I were you, I would start with it and if your rifle shoots it well, call it a day.

While that does sound like really good advice, just wanna say last year I shot a bull moose and a decent whitetail buck with 130gr fed blue box, both under 100 yards (the moose was 30, deer maybe 80) and neither bullet blew up. Not to challenge you, as thats all sound. Just that that particular bullet seemed to hold up okay.

 

[mimile]

While that does sound like really good advice, just wanna say last year I shot a bull moose and a decent whitetail buck with 130gr fed blue box, both under 100 yards (the moose was 30, deer maybe 80) and neither bullet blew up. Not to challenge you, as thats all sound. Just that that particular bullet seemed to hold up okay.

The official velocity of the 130 grain Federal Blue box is 3060 fps. In fact, it is rarely above 3000 at the muzzle and often in the 2950. By the time it reaches 80 yards it is well below 2900 fps. What matters is the velocity at which the bullet hits the game, not muzzle velocity. We are in agreement.

For hunting at a short distances, I have some 130 grains loaded at a muzzle velocity of 2820-2850 fps. They work extremely well (Nosler Partition and hornady interlock) and have very mild recoil, almost like a 6.5x55.

 

[Joel]

The official velocity of the 130 grain Federal Blue box is 3060 fps. In fact, it is rarely above 3000 at the muzzle and often in the 2950. By the time it reaches 80 yards it is well below 2900 fps. What matters is the velocity at which the bullet hits the game, not muzzle velocity. We are in agreement.

Ah, I see! for some reason I thought it was higher. Thanks for the explanation/correction

 

[kaskad]

All obstructions, grass or brush, thick or thin, will cause a poor shot. I don't think the OP was saying they shoot through the stuff. Cheers

No I am more concerned with meat damage and an ethical kill. While hunting from a stand I make sure the excess brush is out of the way so this is less of a concern to me. This is an interesting video by the way. Thanks

 

[bearhunter]

At such short distance, you should choose your bullets carefully. Cup and core bullets should not exceed 2900 fps when they hit the game, otherwise they can explode or destroy much meat. Mono bullets like speed, they do not open below, say 2200 fps. Partitioned bullets and bonded are more reliable than cup and core at short distances, with the same speed.
If you don't have a chronograph or want to keep it simple, go for a 150 bullet of any kind. The velocity will be in the 2800 fps for most commercial offerings, which is perfect for short distances. This includes Hornady Il, Nosler partition, Remington CL and Federal Blue box. The least expensive is the CL. If I were you, I would start with it and if your rifle shoots it well, call it a day.

This is good advice. Cup and Core bullets, for the most part can fail when they're used under 50 yds. That's why I don't load them faster than 2900fps.

The vast majority of the Deer I've shot have been under 100yd and several out of blinds and tree stands, between 20 yds to 75 yds.

 

[270WSMXBolt]

No I am more concerned with meat damage and an ethical kill. While hunting from a stand I make sure the excess brush is out of the way so this is less of a concern to me. This is an interesting video by the way. Thanks

With the 1 in 10" twist .270Win my bullet of choice for hunting is Nosler 130grn E-Tips. But I roll my own. Yes with higher velocity they usually go through, but don't fragment like jackets can at close range. My experience is they just drop where they are standing. There may be more blood shocked meat depending on shot placement. That's probably from the higher velocities. But that's pretty ethical IMHO. 140grn Accubonds rolled up to speeds of 2600-2750fps would perform good at close range but bone deflection can change the ability for the bullet to not fragment regardless of velocity. Whatever the case the .270 win will kill efficiently at close range with pretty much any bullet. I do recommend using good quality bonded bullet or monolithic copper for better control of expansion at higher velocities. Cheers

 

[track]

I spotted this buck at over 500 yards, stalked within 100 yards, then shot him at 50 yards. The 240 Weatherby did it's job, accompanied with a 90 grain Accubond, with muzzle velocity of 3,684 fps. Bullet ended-up on the far side, under the hide, weighed 36 grains. Not much meat damage, but had to trim some superficial bloodshot. My favorate bullet is the Nosler accubond. BTW, I've been consuming lead shot birds and big game for decades, my lead-blood-test is normal.............stay away from monolithic bullets, they don't expand properly.