.270 for elk?

[skoger]

Hey Guys, my wife got drawn for a bull elk tag here in KY, I have a avage 110 that is set up as a switch barrel rifle, have .22-250,.243,.270 and 30/06 barrels for it, .270  is accurate and has a integral muzzlebrake so it doesnt kick much more than the .243 she is used to hunting with. I bought 5 boxs of Hornady Interlock, 150gr  for her to hunt with. Shots her will be limited to about 300-350 yds. This load zeroed at 100 will only drop 7 inches at 300, I believe this will be adequate for elk, especially with the high sectional density, what do all you  veteran elk hunters think? She has taken 13 deer, knows how to shoot, I and her brother will be allowed to accompany her on the hunt for calling, etc. All feedback appreciated.

[Hammer]

Hope she has an enjoyable elk hunt and bags a big one.

.

[tammons]

With the right bullet and a good shot no problem.

A guy on the 6.8 spc site shot a 5X elk in Colorado at 380 yards with a 6.8 spc and 110 gr Accubond.
He is a top shot though, and had his rifle zeroed at 300 yards.

[xhogboss]

.270 will work just fine -

[sage flats shooter]

My wife uses a .270 with 140 gr accubonds... don't try to get her to use a different gun... that one is hers and she will be using it.  she has accounted for 5 elk with it in 10 years we have been married.

Steve D. the HP

[justgoharder]

a .270 is absolutely fine!
up until i was 14 i used a .243 - my dad made sure my shots were all under 100yrds and we never had any elk running off wounded.
an accurate shot from a small slow moving bullet will kill much 'better' than a poorly placed shot from a magnum

[taylorce1]

The .270 and 150 grain Nosler Partitions have accounted for all but one of my elk and that one fell to a .30-06 with 180 grain Winchester Power Points.  The .270 is good elk medicne and I sure wouldn't hesitate to use it on any bull elk I came across at normal hunting ranges.  I'm not into the long range hunting and to date my longest shot on elk is 250 yards with my .270 Win. 

[hank mcmauser]

  I think the .270 will do just fine,however are you certain of the info given about bullet drop at 300 yds? I'm not doubting you,it just doesn't sound right to me. I'd hate to see her miss at 300 yds.  If you plan to shoot at this range,I would advise zeroing the rifle for a 200 yd zero, it should put you about 2-1/2-3" high at 100 yds. Also a good Idea to get  out and bust some caps at those ranges,it will give you an idea of what you're rifle is really doing way out there. And it will instill confidence .

I like to run this program when figuring out drops,and it has proven to be pretty dead on  in all loads I've checked out.
http://www.handloads.com/calc/index.html

[bluealtered]

The .270 is pretty much a go to rifle for a lot of people here in the west for elk. It will do the job very well with proper placement. About the only thing i have different to say is that just as many people use 130gr as 150gr here in oregon. blue

[skoger]

Thanks guys. Hank you are right about the drop. This load shoots very flat, zeroed 3" hight at 100, it is spot on at 300yds. Had her shootin off a rest at a lasered 300, she shot 3 shots into 2", with a 4x12x4- Burris fullfiedl. Of course the xhairs cover up some drop, but she can hold dead on at this distance. I had her shoot some the other day at 275 yds, cardboard elk silhouette, with shoulder drawn on it, no vitals. She was shootin off a tall pair of cross sticks I made for her out of elm yard rake handles. I told her to shoot at the back edge of the shoulder I had drawn, that way if she pulled left, she centered the shoulder, right the lungs on the target.She shot 3, first one hit dead center of the edge of the shoulder I had drawn, next 2 was 2&1/2 inches to the right, but all in the boiler room, center mass!

[wile E coyote]

^^^^Sounds like a recipe for how to fill a freezer. I wish her good luck and happy hunting.

[laportecharlie]

I think the majority of experienced Elk hunters that I know in my part of Colorado either use a 270 or their wife or children use one.  Plenty of gun.
Charlie