.270 Effective Range

[azffhunter]

Good morning all! I have recently purchased a Weatherby .270 and have been getting it dialed out to 500 yards. But I have a question on the effectiveness of that caliber at long distances. I'm more of an archery hunter, but I am beginning to dabble a little with rifle hunting so forgive me if I sound "rifle ignorant". So, we all know (or should) that shot placement is always key so I don't need more information on that.

 

According to my ballistic charting (iSnipe) using a 130 grain round here is the relevent info:

 

Distance Velocity Energy

100 2,992 2,584

200 2,795 2,294

300 2,606 1,960

400 2,424 1,697

500 2,250 1,462

600 2,083 1,253

 

So what I really want input on from all of you is what do you think, given the information above, is an effective range that would provide enough stopping power to make an ethical shot.

 

3...2...1...GO!

 

As always, thanks in advance for your input.

 

Jeremy

[POB]

I always thought that 1500 ft.lbs was the cutoff, sooo anything out to 500 should be good. That being said, bullet placement is much more important. The 270 is a GREAT cartraige.

[AverageJoe]

1,000 ft lbs is the cutoff. Good to 600+. Have fun

[AverageJoe]

.270 weatherby magnum or .270 winchester in a weatherb rifle?

[azffhunter]

.270 weatherby magnum or .270 winchester in a weatherb rifle?

.270 Winchester

[JakeL]

I've heard 800 ft lbs for deer, and more like 1200 for elk. But 1000 for deer and 1400 for elk would offer more leeway. One more limiting factor to killing potential besides bullet energy is bullet expansion at low velocity.

 

Look at these links to some nosler bullets. Halfway down there is a diagram showing bullet expansion at various velocities. The partition bullet expands reliably way down to 2000 fps. On the other hand, the E-Tip lead free bullet shows much less expansion at 2000 fps.

 

http://www.nosler.com/Bullets/Partition.aspx

 

http://www.nosler.com/Bullets/E-Tip-Lead-Free.aspx

 

This isn't to say that those E-Tip bullets wont expand, and wont kill game. But they would simply be less effective at delivering their killing energy, and there are probably better choices for ranges over 400 yards.

 

Now I don't mean to be talking about specific bullets and whats better, but just to show that some bullets are better than others in terminal ballistics at long range. Just make sure if you are going to shoot at long range, your bullet choice is appropriate.

 

And before I finish I just want to preach a little, just a little. At ranges that long (300 yards +), it is very easy to miss or wound game. Be responsible, and if you shoot, follow up just like you would in archery. Look for blood, follow the animal, etc. When a huge canyon separates you from any blood trail, it can be really tempting just to assume it was a miss. Who wants to bother hiking for hours just to confirm there is no blood? Not many people. If you're not absolutely sure of yourself, and ready to take full responsibility for shooting at those ranges, please don't.

 

Ok, sorry everybody. I will get off my soapbox now. Go ahead and hunt however you want as long as its legal.

[azffhunter]

I've heard 800 ft lbs for deer, and more like 1200 for elk. But 1000 for deer and 1400 for elk would offer more leeway. One more limiting factor to killing potential besides bullet energy is bullet expansion at low velocity.

 

Look at these links to some nosler bullets. Halfway down there is a diagram showing bullet expansion at various velocities. The partition bullet expands reliably way down to 2000 fps. On the other hand, the E-Tip lead free bullet shows much less expansion at 2000 fps.

 

http://www.nosler.co.../Partition.aspx

 

http://www.nosler.co...-Lead-Free.aspx

 

This isn't to say that those E-Tip bullets wont expand, and wont kill game. But they would simply be less effective at delivering their killing energy, and there are probably better choices for ranges over 400 yards.

 

Now I don't mean to be talking about specific bullets and whats better, but just to show that some bullets are better than others in terminal ballistics at long range. Just make sure if you are going to shoot at long range, your bullet choice is appropriate.

 

And before I finish I just want to preach a little, just a little. At ranges that long (300 yards +), it is very easy to miss or wound game. Be responsible, and if you shoot, follow up just like you would in archery. Look for blood, follow the animal, etc. When a huge canyon separates you from any blood trail, it can be really tempting just to assume it was a miss. Who wants to bother hiking for hours just to confirm there is no blood? Not many people. If you're not absolutely sure of yourself, and ready to take full responsibility for shooting at those ranges, please don't.

 

Ok, sorry everybody. I will get off my soapbox now. Go ahead and hunt however you want as long as its legal.

It is my absolute goal to get a shot as close as I can to increase the probability of a well placed shot. Shooting at distances much beyond 300 yards would be a last resort for me and the conditions would have to be right. I definately don't mind putting the work in to close the distance, or to follow up on a shot to confirm one way or the other. I believe in taking the best shot that will allow a quick kill. To me if it's questionable, I will pass or come up with another plan of attack. I believe this is the right way to hunt and what I teach my children.

[azffhunter]

I've heard 800 ft lbs for deer, and more like 1200 for elk. But 1000 for deer and 1400 for elk would offer more leeway. One more limiting factor to killing potential besides bullet energy is bullet expansion at low velocity.

 

Look at these links to some nosler bullets. Halfway down there is a diagram showing bullet expansion at various velocities. The partition bullet expands reliably way down to 2000 fps. On the other hand, the E-Tip lead free bullet shows much less expansion at 2000 fps.

 

http://www.nosler.co.../Partition.aspx

 

http://www.nosler.co...-Lead-Free.aspx

 

This isn't to say that those E-Tip bullets wont expand, and wont kill game. But they would simply be less effective at delivering their killing energy, and there are probably better choices for ranges over 400 yards.

 

Now I don't mean to be talking about specific bullets and whats better, but just to show that some bullets are better than others in terminal ballistics at long range. Just make sure if you are going to shoot at long range, your bullet choice is appropriate.

 

And before I finish I just want to preach a little, just a little. At ranges that long (300 yards +), it is very easy to miss or wound game. Be responsible, and if you shoot, follow up just like you would in archery. Look for blood, follow the animal, etc. When a huge canyon separates you from any blood trail, it can be really tempting just to assume it was a miss. Who wants to bother hiking for hours just to confirm there is no blood? Not many people. If you're not absolutely sure of yourself, and ready to take full responsibility for shooting at those ranges, please don't.

 

Ok, sorry everybody. I will get off my soapbox now. Go ahead and hunt however you want as long as its legal.

It is my absolute goal to get a shot as close as I can to increase the probability of a well placed shot. Shooting at distances much beyond 300 yards would be a last resort for me and the conditions would have to be right. I definately don't mind putting the work in to close the distance, or to follow up on a shot to confirm one way or the other. I believe in taking the best shot that will allow a quick kill. To me if it's questionable, I will pass or come up with another plan of attack. I believe this is the right way to hunt and what I teach my children.

+1 I will take a look at those links...thanks for the info!

[reganranch]

All great info here.

[loco4coues]

+1 on what has been said. With your bullet info, it looks like your good to 600 with no problem as far as bullet performance.

[Scooter]

You don't sound rifle-ignorant. You at least have some load/ballistic data to go off of. Now, that being said- unless you have the equipment to verify that what your rifle/bullet combo will accomplish, take charts from a free iPhone app for what they are... a good place to start but NEVER a good place to base your decision off of. The .270 is a fantastic deer cartridge. It shoots "flat", hits about as hard as a 30-06, and can be carried in a featherlight rifle configuration. I would say, out-of-the-box, sighted in, with average factory ammo, and a good optic the .270 is a 400 yard rifle all day. Lots of Kudos for you getting lots of practice in- and I have no doubt from the language and concern evident in your post that you will make an ethical, informed decision when the time comes and you need to squeeze off that round at your target. Good luck!

[azffhunter]

You don't sound rifle-ignorant. You at least have some load/ballistic data to go off of. Now, that being said- unless you have the equipment to verify that what your rifle/bullet combo will accomplish, take charts from a free iPhone app for what they are... a good place to start but NEVER a good place to base your decision off of. The .270 is a fantastic deer cartridge. It shoots "flat", hits about as hard as a 30-06, and can be carried in a featherlight rifle configuration. I would say, out-of-the-box, sighted in, with average factory ammo, and a good optic the .270 is a 400 yard rifle all day. Lots of Kudos for you getting lots of practice in- and I have no doubt from the language and concern evident in your post that you will make an ethical, informed decision when the time comes and you need to squeeze off that round at your target. Good luck!

"FREE"? I'll have you know I spent a whole $10.00 on that program. For that price the info better be 100% accurate!!! Just kidding...I was pretty skeptical myself. But yesterday I shot at various distances ranging from 200-600 yards and was pretty surprised at how accurate it was. Not perfect...but I would say far more accurate than just using the mil dots. Worth the $10 anyway...lol

[naturegirl]

this is my opinion and I love my 270..... have you considered a larger grain bullet for deer? different things need to be factored into that decision. for me i prefer 300 yd or less shots.

I believe i used 130 gr for pig and 150 gr for deer. there is very little to adjust in between.

[firstcoueswas80]

Shoot the 140 accubond and stuff will die

[elpepe25]

Just a question while were on the subject. Who determined 1000 ft./lbs or whatever is what it takes to kill a deer sized game? Is that what it takes to cause a bullet to expand properly?

 

Archery hunters routinely take animals with 40-60 ft/lbs. I understand that the 2 devices kill differently and that more power is better.

 

Just a question.