[.308 HUNTER]

I realize that the .270 is not a small game cartridge, but it is the only cartridge i am going to have for the next few months. What is the best choice of bullet for shooting foxes and coyote with a .270 Winchester? Is 90gr the lightest available for it? The lightest bullet possible would be good as it will reduce the recoil a little too. Im thinking about the Sierra 90gr Hollow Point?

 

[Davers]

This should help: http://www.reloadersnest.com/query_bw.asp?CaliberID=39&BulletWeight=90

 

[broom_jm]

I used to use Sierra's 110gr spitzers in my 270 and while they were very accurate, I never hit a coyote with them that didn't wind up with severe pelt damage. I didn't load them anywhere near "hot", so recoil was noticeably less than my 140gr deer rounds. If you want to save the pelts from foxes or 'yotes, you'll probably need to slow them down quite a bit, use a heavy bullet that doesn't expand, or switch to a smaller caliber.

Maybe you could contact Hornady to ask about their 110gr V-max and a reduced charge of H4895? That is a popular powder for reduced recoil deer loads.

 

[M1Garand]

Barnes make 120 grain banded solids for the 270.

 

[Saskshooter]

In my experience trying to make a varmint gun out of a .270, there is no such thing as a really good way to make a .270 be a good high velocity varmint round, unless you are willing to destroy pelts. If fur is not an issue, than many good bullets will work just fine. Accuracy is the issue, and accuracy will come from the particular load that your rifle shoots well. Finding it may take time and money.

Just buy some bullets and powders and start experimenting. I think it cost me almost as much as a decent varmint rifle to make my .270 (at the time, my only suitable rifle) into a decent varminter. It was still too loud and recoiled too much, but it shot straight and killed things decisively.

 

[doubs43]

In the late 1970's I lived in NM. I had a Ruger Model 77 with a 24" medium heavy sporter barrel by McGowan on it chambered in .270. I often used it for Jack Rabbits as practice for Mule Deer season and I got pretty good hitting running Jacks.

Looking at my data from 1979, I see that my best load was with 110 grain Hornady bullets over 41.5 grains of H-335 and a Remington 9 1/2 primer. Five shot groups measured between .932" up to 1.240".

It was an explosive load on Jacks. I once hit a Jack running away from me but moving slightly left. At roughly 100 yards, a large cloud of hair (hare?) shot 6-8 feet straight upward when the bullet struck. Two friends watching stood there with mouths wide open!

 

[Farrier Matt]

Seems like I ran across a company that made odd sized sabots. Not sure if they offered a 270 or not, but might check into shooting a 22 sabot out of a 270 rifle. I load 357s in my 45 colt using sabots and they work pretty well.

 

[MikeG]

Ballistic Tips if you don't want the fur.

If you want the fur, don't shoot it with a .270!

 

[.308 HUNTER]

I don't care about the fur. Yeah, i will probably use a reduced charge of powder also, so the recoil is minimised again.

 

[broom_jm]

I don't care about the fur. Yeah, i will probably use a reduced charge of powder also, so the recoil is minimised again.

Email or call the good folks at Hornady and I bet they'll have something for the 110gr V-max and H4895. FWIW - QL suggests a 50gr charge of H4895, under a 110gr V-max, will give right around 3000fps, with a case that is 87% full, generating ~48,500psi. My guess is that still blows a sizable hole in the off-side of yonder 'yote, but is like a maiden's caress on your shoulder.

 

[2Bits]

I have handloaded some Sierra 110 grn bullets for a .270 Winchester and I believe they would dissenegrate if they hit a blade of grass. They where accurate enough out at 100 yards but at 250 yards they were all over the place. I went back to shooting my 6mm Remington with 75 and 80 grn bullets, much better out come for me.

 

[Tang]

good choice. the .270 is a perfect varmint rifle

 

[broom_jm]

good choice. the .270 is a perfect varmint rifle

And depending on where you live, this includes the incredibly pesky varmints otherwise known as whitetail deer and wild hogs!

 

[Tang]

And depending on where you live, this includes the incredibly pesky varmints otherwise known as whitetail deer and wild hogs!

I would limit it to 'Yotes. No use in taking chances.

 

[M1Garand]

I would limit it to 'Yotes. No use in taking chances.

Are we talking about the 270 or that loud overrated 7mm RM?

 

[Tang]

Are we talking about the 270 or that loud overrated 7mm RM?

Thats my wife's gun haha. Most women like to use reduced recoil firearms

 

[doubs43]

Thats my wife's gun haha. Most women like to use reduced recoil firearms

Interesting. Elmer Keith's initial evaluation of the .270 was quite positive and he even commented that "It kills like lightning." Maybe that was before Elmer discovered that more recoil equals more killing power?

 

[Jakeway]

Years ago a friend gave me a box of Sierra 90 gr hollow points. My first test load of 58.0 gr IMR 4350 )60 gr is max per Sierra manual) gave me 3300 fps, good accuracy and tight groups, so I never changed anything. I haven't shot any critters with it, though; just shoot at the 300 yard gong with them. Recoil is a bit less than the 130 gr 270, but don't expect .243-type mild recoil.