Should I start all over?

[CatskillCrawler]

A few years ago I worked up loads for my .270W for a western elk/mule deer hunt. I decided to use the 140gr AB because it has better trajectory/energy numbers over the 150gr bullets once you get out near 300 yds. It also shoots very well in my rifle. During this work-up, I also had 140gr NPs shoot very good too but the ABs shot a bit better and had the higher BC. I also had very good results with 140gr TBBCs. Since then, the 140gr AB has taken numerous WTs, a 350lb black bear and a 760lb dressed bull moose without a hitch.

Scrolling up to real time now...

In review, the benefits I saw in the 140gr over the 150gr are very minimal in real life and again, don't begin till 300+ yds. I also feel that the 270W gets a bit risky on a bull elk past 300 yds. Should I invest the time and money to try and work on a 150gr load in order to capture the increase in SD that the 150gr bullets offer?

This .270W will be my back-up elk rifle and primary mulie rifle. Yeah, I think too much...

 

[6mm Remington]

I completely agree, and I think you are thinking too much! That will work just perfectly fine for your elk rifle whether for a backup rifle or not! The 140 gr. AccuBond will serve you well. I loaded for a friend in his 270 and he shot many elk with a 130 gr. Partition, some of them quite far. Need to hit them right with whatever you are shooting, and you have a dead elk.

Proof is in the pudding and look at what it did to that moose you shot. I feel an elk is a tougher, harder animal to put down than a moose, but a moose sure is a lot bigger for the most part.

Relax and practice much, and good luck to you on your hunt.
David

 

[SJB358]

I'm with David here. You have a known great load. Nothing to be gained. The little extra penetration would be hard to measure.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Nope.

 

[6mm Remington]

Nope.

A man of few words! :mrgreen:

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Done. I'm easily persuaded. I was thinking same but it's always good to have someone else or two or three.. say the same.

Thanks! 8)

 

[300WSM]

I agree for the most part but.......

what happens if you shoot the 150 and whoa...it actually shoots a little better than the 140

now depending on how you look at it.... you either have something else to make your thinking muddy and a mess, or you have a better more confident choice.

Are you going to be second guessing yourself unless you try them? That is a nightmare.

 

[IdahoCTD]

I wouldn't sweat the bullet weight. I have a friend that has shot a couple elk over 500yds with 130gr PT's. Every bullet was found under the hide on the far side.

 

[DrMike]

The 140 AB or the 140 PT will work very well on elk. Keep what you have.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

300WSM - thanks for muddying the issue! I don't think it's possible to shoot better than the ABs in this rifle. If so, I wouldn't notice it in the field anyways because I'm already the weakest link in this chain.

I got to thinking about this while I put together a components order and let my curiosity run amuck. I'll be fine. I think...

 

[JD338]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Work up a load with the 150 gr PT. You have the 140 gr AB to fall back on.

JD338

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Work up a load with the 150 gr PT. You have the 140 gr AB to fall back on.

JD338

I think I'm going to do that with my friend's Rem 700 Mtn LSS in .270Win. He's going too and this will be his primary rifle. We've already proven it doesn't like boattails so I was going to try the 140 and 150gr PT. I want him to get some 150gr Deep Curls too and give them a fair shake.

I'm sure I'll twist up a few PTs to try thru my barrel. I just can't help myself.

 

[35 Whelen]

I think you are probably already at the top of your game with what you have now. Fooling around with a 150gr is going to approach trying to split a frogs hair five ways ................
Idahos comment on the 130PT being found right against the hide, on the far side, is the same results we found with that combo. So to me that is as good as it gets; total transfer of all the available energy possible; into the elk.
However if you are planing on launching projectiles; over the 300yds distance,on a regular basis you might want to step up into something of an entirely different league of horsepower; to do that with Bull Elk on a consistant basis. :wink:

 

[CatskillCrawler]

I think you are probably already at the top of your game with what you have now. Fooling around with a 150gr is going to approach trying to split a frogs hair five ways ................
Idahos comment on the 130PT being found right against the hide, on the far side, is the same results we found with that combo. So to me that is as good as it gets; total transfer of all the available energy possible; into the elk.
However if you are planing on launching projectiles; over the 300yds distance,on a regular basis you might want to step up into something of an entirely different league of horsepower; to do that with Bull Elk on a consistant basis. :wink:

I hear ya. I won't shoot anything beyond 300 yds anyways. My club's rifle range ends at 250 yds and I'm not shooting something without knowing I can do my part. Both the 358Win and .270Win that I will be using top out, in my opinion, around the 275-300 yd mark for bull elk.

Needs to get me a Whelen...

 

[SJB358]

Since 300 is your max, i don't think you'll be lacking a single bit. I've gone heavier for elk with the 338 and 35 but I wouldn't feel a bit outta place with my 270WSM with 140 ABs or 150 PTs. Having the ability to make that 300 yard shot is where you'll maximize your chances.

I love the bigger bullets when you start pounding the timber but if your willing to pass on less than great angles, your 270 will be excellent in all other aspects. Your 358 is really a shining star in that scenario. With a 225 PT at around 2400 you will be surprised over how much clout it carries. Bullet performance will be excellent and penetration will make you think you hit it with a much bigger rifle.

 

[bullet]

Since 300 is your max, i don't think you'll be lacking a single bit. I've gone heavier for elk with the 338 and 35 but I wouldn't feel a bit outta place with my 270WSM with 140 ABs or 150 PTs. Having the ability to make that 300 yard shot is where you'll maximize your chances.

+ ONE!!! Don't start over, use what you have, it will do the job just fine.

 

[nvbroncrider]

If it ain't broke don't fix it! Don't fix it until it's broke!!!