Author Topic: Opinions on 130 gr. 270 bullet toughness (Read 2378 times)

bilmac · « **on:** October 03, 2008, 07:08:32 PM »

How would you all rank 130 gr 270 bullet toughness? These are the ones I have shot and have an opinion about, but I admit it's really a guess. From most fragile Rem Bronze point, Nosler ballistic tip, hornaday standard, Speer hot core,winchester power point, remington core lokt, Winchester HP(obsolete),Sierra boat tail. the strongest. Add others you have experience with and rearrainge my list, this is just a guess on my part.

drdougrx · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2008, 03:09:52 AM »

Hi Bill.

I ve moved away from 130s because of this issue. I began to use nosler Partitions but then found they drill right through various animals. I currently use Nosler BTs, 150grs, and find they are just the ticket for me and deer sized game. I use the Part for tougher game and even used the 160gr part on a black bear (awesome results). I did use the 130part on mulie, and antelope and on some exotic sheep. I'll pass on the 130s. I'm told the 140 is best compromise.

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2008, 05:26:25 AM »

I would not consider the Sierra Boattail a tough bullet. They are designed for long shots, so they seem to "explode" like ballistic tips on anything this side of 200 yrds. I used them for years, but I switched to Accubonds. Don't get me wrong, they do a good job, but in 10 years, I had one pass through on a deer.

BBF · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2008, 05:38:16 AM »

without going thru your entire list, the WW Power Points are probably one of the most fragile bullets you can pick.Rem Cor Lokt, Speer Hot Cor, Sierra Flat Base, Hdy Interlok, not in order of toughness are probably workable in your deer&hog application.
Since you handload, you could go with less velocity on the hogs presuming on my part that these will be shot at closer range then the deer.

Autorim · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2008, 03:36:49 PM »

I agree on the 150 bullets in the .270. My standard is the 150 Nosler Partition and RL22. I have not tried the Accubond, but I expect it is an excellent bullet. I tend to shoot "heavy for caliber" bullets.

45 in the Hornet
50 in .222
69 in .223
55 in 22-250
100 in .243
125 in the .25
150 in the .270
140, 150 or 160 in 7mm
165 or 180 in .30
225 in .338

The exception would be the 45-70 and I shoot 300's in that. Just my preferences, but the logic is that if I am going to shoot a 150 grain bullet, I would rather shoot it in a .270 due to greater SD and BC.

bilmac · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2008, 07:11:41 PM »

To add perspective to what I am looking for is no elk bullet, I am in search of a meat harvester, for doe deer and antelope that weigh between 90 and 120 lbs. Heavy bullets are pretty hard on the critters unless you go real heavy and tough and send a lot of the energy out the far side. Also I'd just as soon not put up with the extra recoil if I don't have to.

I've tried 110s and they tend to be a bit erratic. I'll have a nice broadside shot through the lungs but still have a hole in the stomach, I guess cut by stray pieces of bullet or maybe bone. Happened to me twice just this year. I'm thinking that maybe the 130 wouldn't be too destructive if I shoot the toughest bullet I can come up with, send some of the energy out an exit hole and still have a bullet that doesn't spray shrapnel. I'm not interested in Nosler partitions, I've heard too many bad stories.

You all have already helped me revise my thinking I have always considered the Sierras to be a tough bullet but I haven't shot a lot of them and it was a long time ago.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2008, 08:09:05 PM »

I started out over 40 years ago with a WIN model 70 feather weight pre 64 with a 24" barrel shooting 130 silver tips, awlsome!
Discontinued, switched to WIN 150 round nose for about a year.
I used this gun for all my shooting, both deer and tons of ground hogs and foxes.
Since I was starting to shoot farther and farther on the ground hogs the round noses had to much drag and drop.
Switched to Rem 150 bronze points and had severail blow ups at close range on deer and stopped using them.
Switched back to Win 140s with good results but really didn't care for them, don't know why, they worked fine.
Switched to WIN 130 POWER POINT PLUS and have never looked back!
Although they have been discontinued years ago I have several hundred rounds and still pick a box up now and then.
I own and have used three WIN model 70s, two of them retired now, a custom 24" BULBERRY ENCORE, and a 28" WIN 1885 HIGHWALL.
I also have two WIN 270 WSMs, a model 70 and a HIGHWALL that do all of my 270 work now.
These two use 130 ballistic tips which I don't like (tears up to much meat) but the guns love them.
I forgot, I also have a Handi that I plan to give a try this year.
In the 40 some years I have lost only two deer with a 130gr 270 and one of those was my fault on a running deer that was quartering away from me at to much of an angle and the bullet hit a glancing blow to the shoulder. I never found him.
The other one was due to heavy rain at the time.
I found it two days later on the next farm over with a well placed shot through the lungs but he ran over 200YTDs through some woods and before I could track him down the rain washed out the trail.
Yes I love my 270s and the 130s.
They have always worked for me!!!!!!

LONGTOM

bilmac · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2008, 04:40:13 AM »

I wonder if you can buy silvertips as a componant for reloading?

Autorim · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2008, 02:25:20 PM »

I will still go with the heavier bullet. IME the Ballistic tip is very destructive, and also very deadly on whitetails. Even the 180 .30 caliber BT IME expands pretty rapidly at close range. I would think that the Sierra 150 in the .270 would do very well driven to moderate velocity. As to the Nosler Partition - I have taken lots of deer with the 100 grain Partition. They all died and I only recovered two bullets in about 30 years. I found the 100 grain Sierra to take deer well also, but with more destruction.

My hunting bullet in the 45-70 is the 300 grain Sierra.

By the way, if I had to sell my rifles and keep only one, I think it would be my .270.

charles p · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2008, 03:38:41 PM »

I would think a 130 grain standard bullet would work well for the deer you describe. I recommend the CoreLokt. I've taken about 200 with nothing bigger than a 150 in 30 cal and many with 110 in 25-06. A heavy bullet is not necessary and a premium bullet is often not as good as a non-premium.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2008, 05:33:00 PM »

bilmac:
"I wonder if you can buy silvertips as a componant for reloading?"

As far as I know the answer is no.
But WINCHESTER did bring the SILVERTIP line of ammo back out.
I got some in 270 and 30-30 but have not had a chance to try they out yet.
Are they the same as the old STs who knows.
If they are they will be a welcomed back friend!

LONGTOM

rickt300 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 07, 2008, 01:01:13 AM »

If your not shooting far drop your velocity down to around 2800 fps. The Speer Hotcors in 130 or 150 grain will give you what you need in a meat hunting load. My present load for this work is a 130 grain Nosler solid base at 2900 fps. It shoots better at the slightly higher velocity.

John R. · « **Reply #12 on:** October 07, 2008, 02:54:15 AM »

I load tthe 130gr. Hornady Interbond in my son's 270, and it is extremely tough.

BIGMOOSE · « **Reply #13 on:** October 07, 2008, 05:34:15 AM »

I have been loading up Sierra Gamekings trying to get me a good long range bullet.I am now shooting a 4 shoot sub moa group with a browning bar.I ordered me some 140 grain gameking hollow points,but I don't know if I want to go any further.

Heres a website I go to and get alot of info.It will give you some info your looking for.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_bullet_killing_power.htm

yooper77 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 07, 2008, 05:49:04 AM »

I only use 150 grain bullets in my 270 Winchester with IMR-4831 and have never been let down.

I have witnessed a recovered 130 grain Sierra GameKing Bullet shot from a 270 Winchester using H-4831 and gave absolute perfect mushrooming at 75 yards into a doe mule deer.

I have some old 277 caliber 150 grain round nose bullets I got free, so I am going to my IMR-4831 to develop a load. I am curious to see how these bullets will group and drop compared to the spire points.

yooper77

BIGMOOSE · « **Reply #15 on:** October 07, 2008, 06:44:06 AM »

Quote from: yooper77 on October 07, 2008, 05:49:04 AM

I only use 150 grain bullets in my 270 Winchester with IMR-4831 and have never been let down.

I have witnessed a recovered 130 grain Sierra GameKing Bullet shot from a 270 Winchester using H-4831 and gave absolute perfect mushrooming at 75 yards into a doe mule deer.

I have some old 277 caliber 150 grain round nose bullets I got free, so I am going to my IMR-4831 to develop a load. I am curious to see how these bullets will group and drop compared to the spire points.

yooper77

Yea I think it's got alot to do with the size of whitetail you're shooting.Down here in South Mississippi 130 grain would be the best choice because the deer are smaller.Someone hunting up north were the deer are much bigger might have better results with 150 grain.

yooper77 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 07, 2008, 07:23:45 AM »

Well my 270 Winchester likes 150 grain bullets best compared to the 130 and 140 grains, so I would use it on any size deer, really doesn't make any difference.

yooper77

coyotejoe · « **Reply #17 on:** October 10, 2008, 03:12:20 AM »

If you're looking for less meat damage, by all means go heavier in the bullet. It is a mistake to think that heavier bullets, within reason, don't work on lighter animals. They may not be needed but they do work and generally don't damage so much meat. Two of my friends once shot the same bull elk. They both fired at the same time and neither knew the other had fired until they got to the animal, which had dropped in it's tracks. There was no doubt which bullet had killed it, the 180 grain .308 had penetrated, expanded and exited, doing massive internal damage but with no lost meat. The 130 grain .270 had exploded in the shoulder and never got inside. When I picked up that front quarter it rattled with bullet and bone fragments.

Graybeard · « **Reply #18 on:** October 10, 2008, 03:48:36 AM »

I don't think anyone so far has answered or even for that matter attempted to answer the question actually asked which was:

Quote

How would you all rank 130 gr 270 bullet toughness?

I do NOT use 130s in the .270 only 140 Hornady BTSPs and Nosler 150 PTs but in an attempt to answer the question actually asked I'll offer the following in roughly descending order from toughest to softest.

Barnes X in all it's variations, Winchester Fail Safe, Swift A-Frame, Nosler PT then any and all normal cup and core bullets in no particular order.

Now I'm not sure if the new Nosler E-Tip is a 130 or not but it is right there with the X bullets in toughness if it is and so are the Winchester now discontinued bullets with the lead in the base rather than nose.

Still as I said I don't use 130s. On soft critters like deer I prefer the Hornady 140 and if I need toughness I go to the Nosler 150 PT. If one of those two won't get the job done then I need something other than the .270 Winchester for the job.

yooper77 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 10, 2008, 04:02:44 AM »

My pick would be a Nosler Partition for a tough bullet.

Also consider the Nosler E-Tip, which only come in 130 grain in .277 caliber.

http://www.nosler.com/?p=3&bullet=20

It nice to see Nosler getting a piece of the no-lead bullet market. Plus they are starting out cheaper then Barnes too. (Watch out Barnes)
I am sure we will see more calibers in the future.

yooper77

Doe Dumper · « **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2008, 07:30:33 AM »

The Fed Classic 130's worked great for me. Prob 50-60 deer killed with them. I think they use a Speer bullet in those if Im not mistaken. These came at ranges of hip pocket to over 300 yards.

bilmac · « **Reply #21 on:** October 17, 2008, 04:36:57 AM »

Thanks for the wisdom guys. I did decide to give up on the 110s for my last meat run this year and took the 130 gr rems that I had been using for a long time instead. The 110s were making entrance and exit wounds straight across from each other right where I put them, just behind the shoulders, but it was still opening up the paunch occasionally.

I only made one shot in the lungs this trip, but it was farther forward than I wanted, broke a shoulder, so it doesn't go into the data bank, except to say that the bullet appeared to go straight across. I'll know more when I butcher.

I was lucky to hit this gal at all, the wind was howling, can't get the pickup door open kind of hard, and I had to shoot 200-250yds straight across it. She was bedded facing the wind, I put the crosshair a couple inches in front of her nose and hit her at the front edge of the shoulders.

One plus to going back to the 130s is that they will do a better job in the wind, a bullet without the meplat the Rem has would do even better, maybe I'll try the Speers some more.