Author Topic: first blood with NEF Handi .270 (Read 627 times)

borg1 · « **on:** November 30, 2004, 02:11:31 AM »

Hi all,

The .270 downed its first deer last night, a 4 point buck. Tore up the front right neck, shoulder, and about 4 mid left ribs as it exited via the lungs. Bullet broke up, one piece came out base of left side of neck. Overall, a pretty devastating shot. Not really impressed with Sierra Gamekings in the Federal loading (130 gr bullets) due to break up (JMHO).

The ironic thing is that i did not shoot the deer. I loaned my rifle to a friend (in rifle season you'd have to pry my Tikka .308 out of my hands). I did not see anything

but at least the night was a success. Afterwards, i realized the .270's first kill was out of my hands...

The Tikka has downed two doe so far...

safetysheriff · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2004, 05:08:22 AM »

b1'

Too bad you weren't behind the trigger. But hey, my revolver wasn't even pulled yesterday to get onto a deer -- so at least you've got one that saw some action.

I'm loading some Game Kings in the weight I don't like for the .243 for my buddy -- 100 gr's -- because that's the best(?) deer bullet they had at Gander Mountain at the time. I wanted 87 gr' Hornady's, but figure that the reputed light jackets on the Sierra's may make up somewhat for the reduced velocity of the 100 gr' load -- for use against whitetails. We'll see.

Hope you get one, too,

SS'

borg1 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2004, 05:48:43 AM »

Safe-T, those sierra's should be ok provided velocities are down. i bet the .270 loaded with 150 gr Sierra's would be ok. 130's are too light compared to velocity from what i've seen. Hornadys should be ok, but i'd take a close look at Combined Technology's loadings. I beleive they are bonded bullets and so should stand up to high velocities a bit better. They're also easier on the pocket book than the premium bullets, like fail safes... Just my 2c worth. i am sure your loadings will work great! :-)

Fred M · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2004, 06:57:05 AM »

I never ever heard a good thing about the Sierra Gane King. I would never use them. The Hornady Interlocks are another story they are simply outstanding in any caliber I have ever used them in. For the price they are the best bullet bargain par non.

I use the 100gr in the 25 Hunter and never had a failure. The same goes for the 7mm-o8 or the 280AI with a 139gr Interlock, I used that bullet in Africa without a hitch. Not to mention the 180gr in the 30-06 and the 300Wby. and the 250gr in the 340Wby. Man that 250 gr is a real performer
on Elk, no tracking with them babies.

borg1 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2004, 07:21:31 AM »

Fred, I agree. I use the ib's and sst's in my .308 and i never have any problems. one can purchase good bonded bullets at very reasonable prices. In fact, i am moving from 150's to 165's in the .308 this winter. working up a good load over the winter and summer months. Not sure if i'll use Hornady or CT bullets, both i think both are fine and inexpensive choices for bonded bullets. I'll likely try the 150's in the .270 unless someone has had stability problems in the Handi with this weight of bullet.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2004, 08:31:16 AM »

Quote from: borg1

Hi all,

The .270 downed its first deer last night, a 4 point buck. Tore up the front right neck, shoulder, and about 4 mid left ribs as it exited via the lungs. Bullet broke up, one piece came out base of left side of neck. Overall, a pretty devastating shot. Not really impressed with Sierra Gamekings in the Federal loading (130 gr bullets) due to break up (JMHO).

The ironic thing is that i did not shoot the deer. I loaned my rifle to a friend (in rifle season you'd have to pry my Tikka .308 out of my hands). I did not see anything but at least the night was a success. Afterwards, i realized the .270's first kill was out of my hands...

The Tikka has downed two doe so far...

What yardage did the deer get taken at? I always had real good luck with the 140 grain Hornady BTSP...and used them from when they first came out...till a couple years ago when I traded my 270 off...another good bullet to try is the Speer flat base Hotcorehttp://www.speer-bullets.com/html/ballistics/detail2.asp?name=1459

they seem to hold together very nicely and don't cost an arm and a leg either...I'd worry about the 150 grainers...they might be a little harder to open on whitetails...

Mac

borg1 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2004, 08:36:40 AM »

It was about 80 yards.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2004, 04:56:17 PM »

Fred M'

I wouldn't recommend the Sierra Game Kings either because of them opening too quickly -- from what I've heard. But I've also seen Rick Jamison (the Shooting Times 'man') state that he lost his best deer -- in Pennsylvania -- to a 100 gr' Hornady. FWIW, Jamison is not at all my favorite writer, being 'lost' at times from what I can see..... But he wrote that his buck was lost to some Ohio hunters when the Hornady didn't anchor it. Of all things, this was in his article in ST's "High-Performance Calibers" booklet in 1986.....recently picked up at a show here in NE Ohio. Yes, the 100 gr' Hornady spire points may be somewhat changed today, but I don't know if I'd expect them to be the answer in the .243 cal' either. I'd rather go with a lighter, faster bullet.....but Gander Mountain didn't have them. It's a compromise that my buddy will be gambling on, much as I hate to say that. With the slower impact velocity I hope that they will open up and do the job.

Take care,

SS'

borg1 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 02, 2004, 06:01:40 AM »

What about 150 grain remington core loks for the .270? Or possibly the 130 gr. version? ~10-11 $$ for 100 of 'em!