Bullets in the .270 Win. For the Larger Big-Game Species

[South Pender]

The conventional wisdom among gun writers and experts has always been that, in the .270 Win., 130-gr. bullets are ideal for pronghorn- and deer-size game, whereas 150-gr. bullets are better for the larger species of North American big game. We can add the 160 Nosler Partition to this list.

So, for you big-game hunters, among these heavier .277 bullets, which are your favorites for the larger big-game species? I’m thinking here of elk, moose, and caribou, and maybe bears. Two candidates that stand out for me are the 150-gr. Swift A-Frame (which appears to be very stout with a bonded front core) and the 160-gr. Nosler Partition (with great sectional density).

So what others stand out?

 

[bloc]

I haven't used any, but the Barnes 150 TSX looks like a good possibility IF your barrel is a 1:9.5.

With a slower twist, I don't think you'd lose much with a 140 TSX.

Those who use these seem very happy with them on all manner of large game.

One thing for sure: you'd never have to worry about core/jacket separation!

 

[Rednexx]

I always thought shot placement will over come many faults of a lighter bullet or heavier depending on your or others way of thinking. I have used 130 gr. on Deer and Antelope with no noticeable difference, but have little or no experience with larger game with that or any weight . I also thought the 140 gr. was a good trade off weight wise as has nearly velocity capabilities of the 130 gr. and the energy of the 150 gr. I also think the higher the BC the better the bullet for accuracy. I don't know if this answers your query or clouds the waters.

 

[RegionRat]

If you can, I would trend toward those heavier bullets for the game you listed. Placement still requires penetration on those animals.

 

[Hohn]

Bullet design trumps bullet weight. A heavy bullet that is soft nose will still mushrooms enough to reduce penetration and/or come apart on you.

At the other extreme are monolithic bullets that can have excellent penetration even in lighter weights.

Personally I’d be looking at a heavier bonded or monolithic bullet: 150 or 165 ABLR, 130 e-tip, 150 interbond, 130 GMX, 145 ELD-x.

I don’t hunt anything bigger than small deer with a Berger or Sierra as they are too fragile in construction in my view and either come apart with insufficient penetration or ice pick through and through. YMMV.

I’ve always wanted to try the Woodleigh weldcores..

 

[Rick300]

I have used the 150 Partition with great success.

 

[lhsako]

150 partition, barnes X/e-tip/GMX. also tipped trophy bonded . Good price for a stout bullet. check them out.

 

[FeMan]

I have killed a pile of animals including elk, bears a and large hogs with my .270 and 130 Barnes TSX over the years. Nothing ever walked away. I know you said heavier bullets but I agree that bullet design trumps all and for the few 130s I recovered, they all weighed right at 130 grains. I never felt the need to go heavier with the Barnes.

 

[Zero333]

There are so MANY good .277" Elk/Moose bullets to choose from...

150 Partition
150 A-Frame
150 Accubond-LR
150 Interbond
150 TSX
150 Grand Slam
145 ELD-X
140 A-Frame
140 Partition
140 TSX
140 Accubond
130 Partition
130 TTSX
130 A-Frame


All the above bullets will do what you need them to do without any drama.

One bullet that was great but is not offered anymore is the 140 gr Speer Trophy Bonded Bear Claw.
Unfortunately Federal Premium bought that bullet from Speer and doesn't sell it as a component.

 

[South Pender]

There are so MANY good .277" Elk/Moose bullets to choose from...

150 Partition
150 A-Frame
150 Accubond-LR
150 Interbond
150 TSX
150 Grand Slam
145 ELD-X
140 A-Frame
140 Partition
140 TSX
140 Accubond
130 Partition
130 TTSX
130 A-Frame


All the above bullets will do what you need them to do without any drama.

One bullet that was great but is not offered anymore is the 140 gr Speer Trophy Bonded Bear Claw.
Unfortunately Federal Premium bought that bullet from Speer and doesn't sell it as a component.

Federal now sells the .277 140-gr. Trophy Bonded Tip bullet (and a 130-gr. as well). As I understand it, this newer Trophy Bonded bullet is an upgrade of the earlier Trophy Bonded Bear Claw with a polymer tip and a couple of other tweaks. Here's an article about the newer Trophy Bonded Tip bullets from Handloader magazine:

https://www.handloadermagazine.com/trophy-bonded-tip

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Back in the 80's I took a rather large Canadian moose with my 270. I don't recall any bullets being offered over 150 in the Nosler partitions I usually use. I did find a 160 Barnes. Took the Moose with one shot at 150 yards using the Barnes. 80% retention, mushroomed nicely.
Partitions are my goto. Today I'd use the 160 Nosler. Normally I use a 130 Part for Elk, Deer, etc..