Winchester FailSafe Bullets

South Pender

South Pender

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I was rummaging around in some older reloading supplies I had stored and ran across two boxes of Winchester FailSafe bullets--.270, 140-grain. I obviously bought these many years ago for a .270 Win. I had at that time, but never used them. I don't think the FailSafes have been made recently.

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They look like a great bullet--perhaps on the tough side--that should hold together and retain close to 100% weight and would seem to be a great choice on larger, tougher game. I'd like to consider them with my current .270 Win., but wonder about their ability to expand on lighter big-game species.

Does anyone here have experience on game with Winchester FailSafe bullets?
 
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South Pender said:
Does anyone here have experience on game with Winchester FailSafe bullets?
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Years ago when they first came on the market I shot a mule deer with a 180 grain 30 calibre launched from a 30-06. It went a quarter mile or so after the shot and required a coup de grâce when I tracked it to it's bed. Cleaning the deer it appeared there was very little expansion with a minimal wound track. On the other hand I shot a moose with the same load and the bullet punched through both shoulders and left lots of damage on the way through.

One thing about the FailSafe is definitely use Nosler's data for the bullet and watch for signs of going over safe chamber pressure as they can go from safe to unsafe in a big hurry.
 
Three or four yrs ago I shot an elk with a 180 grain failsafe. Broadside shot through the lungs. Elk went approx 75 yards or less and piled up which is fairly normal for elk. If I could find more I would buy them. To me very good on heavy boned animals like elk and bear. If I had my wishes I would likely not use them on deer for fear of penciling through. Never shot deer with mine so no experience there.
 
'Boo said:
One thing about the FailSafe is definitely use Nosler's data for the bullet and watch for signs of going over safe chamber pressure as they can go from safe to unsafe in a big hurry.
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There's Nosler data for the FailSafe bullets? I have Nosler Nos. 4 and 9 but didn't find anything for Failsafes.
 
I remember when these were called (Black Talons), but I guess in our snowflake filled world we can't use that term anymore.
 
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Fail Safe's are more than just a little on the tough side. I would believe that they may arguably be the toughest bullet ever made. I am quite certain that they would be wasted on deer sized critters, but they bring the .270 into the real of good elk and moose medicine for sure. They are a fantastic bullet for the big stuff. Drive them as fast as you can and still maintain accuracy.
 
skidderman said:
Three or four yrs ago I shot an elk with a 180 grain failsafe. Broadside shot through the lungs. Elk went approx 75 yards or less and piled up which is fairly normal for elk. If I could find more I would buy them. To me very good on heavy boned animals like elk and bear. If I had my wishes I would likely not use them on deer for fear of penciling through. Never shot deer with mine so no experience there.
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They work just fine on Deer/Bears and yes, they are very tough.

I've taken a couple of Deer and Bears with them in 180 grain/30cal/30-06. Never recovered a bullet as the shots were just over 100yds with 2900fps muzzle velocity.

I still have a box of 25 left. Don't know if I'll use them.

I find they aren't much different in performance than the Nosler offerings and later GMX monometal bullets. Accuracy is OK for hunting.

I found I had to clean the bore more often and that after cleaning, at least 3-5 rounds were needed to get good consistent accuracy for the next 10+ rounds out of my rifle.
 
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