Ammo Choice - Winchester Model 70 - 270 Win

[salt n sage90]

I inherited a Winchester Model 70 - 270 win. with a 3-9 Leopold on it.
My wife and I already have deer guns, but if I go elk hunting I figure something larger than my 243 would be smart.

I have always shot Federal ammo. Does anyone have any suggestions or had really good experiences with anything specific.
Otherwise I was likely going to go with 130 gr. Federal Premium Nosler Ballistic Tips. It came with a few so Ill just stock up.
I just want to sight this gun in and be consistent with the ammo choice.

Thanks.

[blackveltbowhunter]

I shot that exact cartridge from the exact rifle and they shot decent and good bullet performance on deer. The last 8 or so years I have shot a handloaded 140 accubond with great results in both accuracy and terminal performance. Due to a break in I used Remington 130 core lokt in 2022, they shot good for accuracy but, bullet performance was terrible on my blacktail.  I know its likely a one off as I have seen tons of bucks dropped with that cartridge. 

No data on performance for elk. Haven't had an opportunity to use a rifle on one yet.

[vandeman17]

Hornady SST shoot nice out of my rifle

[bobcat]

Since you're wanting to hunt elk I'd suggest using a bullet that's made to stay together. If Nosler, go with Accubonds or Partitions. Weight doesn't matter too much, 130 to 150 grain in a 270 is fine.

[MADMAX]

Since you're wanting to hunt elk I'd suggest using a bullet that's made to stay together. If Nosler, go with Accubonds or Partitions. Weight doesn't matter too much, 130 to 150 grain in a 270 is fine.

Accubonds👍

I’d use it for deer too

[WSU]

Small sample size, but my family and I have shot a handful of elk with 130 grain barnes bullets.  It worked fine. 

[Tenkara]

150 grain core lokt works great out of my model 70.

[kramman]

You are gonna find a lot of different responses.. it depends on what your gonna do with it? I have a 270 and have found it shoots the core lokt bullets very well. I use 130s in eastern montana and 150s in the okanagon when I use to rifle hunt. I would say try a few different rounds and find what the rifle likes to shoot.  Best of luck.

[spin05]

My Tikka .270 win likes the 150g Federal Fusions.  The animals not so much.

[bearpaw]

I inherited a Winchester Model 70 - 270 win. with a 3-9 Leopold on it.
My wife and I already have deer guns, but if I go elk hunting I figure something larger than my 243 would be smart.

I have always shot Federal ammo. Does anyone have any suggestions or had really good experiences with anything specific.
Otherwise I was likely going to go with 130 gr. Federal Premium Nosler Ballistic Tips. It came with a few so Ill just stock up.
I just want to sight this gun in and be consistent with the ammo choice.

Thanks.

Those cartridges usually work fine. We've had dozens of elk, deer, and bear shot with 270's and a few moose too, all with an assortment of 130 to 150 gr bullets including federal 130's. I would suggest shooting a couple 3 shot groups, but most 2870's I've been around are not very choosy, verify the load shoots good in your gun, put the bullet where it should go, and it will do the job.

[Wingin it]

I’m a big fan of Nosler Accubonds. I’ve used them on several deer and a few elk too. Terminal performance has been very good every time.

[300rum]

If you can afford it, buy a few boxes of various manufactures/bullet weight that you like, 3-4 boxes should work.  Shoot a couple of 3 shot groups from each box, then confirm the best with a 5 shot group.  After that, find a case (10 boxes or 20 if you can afford it) at the lowest price and be done with it for the rest of your life.  Sell the ammo that doesn't shoot as well on this site at a discounted price to get some of your money back.   

[buckfvr]

If you can afford it, buy a few boxes of various manufactures/bullet weight that you like, 3-4 boxes should work.  Shoot a couple of 3 shot groups from each box, then confirm the best with a 5 shot group.  After that, find a case (10 boxes or 20 if you can afford it) at the lowest price and be done with it for the rest of your life.  Sell the ammo that doesn't shoot as well on this site at a discounted price to get some of your money back.   

 

[MeepDog]

My Tikka .270 win likes the 150g Federal Fusions.  The animals not so much.

Federal fusions are an excellent bullet at an excellent price point. They have a bonded core and can withstand bone impacts and I don't think another bullet comes close at the price point.

Also if you're rifle likes federal terminal ascent, they are excellent bullets. Truly top class.

[C-Money]

Since you're wanting to hunt elk I'd suggest using a bullet that's made to stay together. If Nosler, go with Accubonds or Partitions. Weight doesn't matter too much, 130 to 150 grain in a 270 is fine.

  Hornaday Interlocks are really good too. My family reloads .270win, and have had very good success on deer and elk with the 140 Accubond & Interlock. My son just picked up a .270 last fall. We sighted it in with 140 Hornaday interlock factory ammo. May be the best groups I've seen from factory ammo. He tipped over a PA whitetail buck at 100yards using the new rifle and the Hornaday ammo.