160 grain Nosler partition in .270

[Questor]

Have you tried the 160 grain 270 bullet from Nosler? Is there any advantage over the 150 grainers?

[Duffy]

Unless your going for something big the 130g bullets seem to do the job. I use a 140 but the only reason is that the gun shoots them better. Have gotten pass throughs on everything hit with it. Knew a fella that shot a elk in the rump with a 150g Sierra and while there wasnt anything left of the bullet it did make it all the way the chest cavity.

Ryan

[Reloader]

It would seem to me that for a bullet to penetrate endo through an elk there would have to be some bullet left.  Without the mass it wouldn't penetrate.

[Duffy]

Ok, Let me re-phrase that,  There wasn't MUCH left of the bullet.
What he showed me was a pile of jacket and a small bit lead core that they found along the wound channel and against the chest cavity when dressing the animal. I guess the jist of the whole thing is that even though everything came apart it still made it quite a ways. That's probably why it made it so far beings it didn't really mushroom, it just shed the petals and stayed a small diam.  I don't recall all the details as this was around 25 years ago but I remember him telling me it was not a good shot and he just got lucky. Lot's of people use 150's on deer sized game but the 130's seem to do just as well. If I were to hunt elk or larger with the 270 I would probably opt for a 150-160 also.

Ryan

[VernAK]

Questor,

I have used the 270, 160 Nosler for some years. It's not my every day cartridge but find it as adequate for most large game...I have taken moose, caribou and an interior grizzly with out problem. Accuracy is acceptable for hunting use.

[Dusty Miller]

Hey Duffy, them Texas heart shots are real effective!

[BNoz01]

I loaded up some 160 Nosler Partitions for a friend's 270 elk rifle several years ago.  If you subscribe to the theory that the 270 is border line for elk, then loading up heavier than standard 270 caliber bullets is a good thing.  

I do remember, that the Nosler manual reduced the max powder load for some of the 160 Partition loads when they came out with the #4 loading manual.  So, if you max out the loads in the #4 manual without pressure signs, you could try to find an older #3 manual.  

B. Noz.

ps -- I think the 270 is fine for elk when you do your part.  

[Dand]

My good high school buddy knocked over 2 or 3 moose with the 160 Noslers - a long time ago.  He loved them and they were very effective to 200 yards if I remember right.

[fffffg]

partitions seem to be able to make little guns into  big game guns.. the 270 is not a little gun but small for some of the game mentioned.. i would like the velocity of the 140 (dont have a 270)  so the front of the bullet would blow up for coyotes, fox, etc,  but true to nosler the solid section will pass thru..  my sons both shot as they grew up a 6mm 100 grain partition, broke an elks shoulder at 250 yards for my oldest when he was 12 and slammed a deer at 275 yards like my 300 mag for my youngest son..  now thats a 100 grain nosler not full velocity loads....  lost some accuracy but  shoots 1 1/2 inches at 100 yards..  100 grain hornadies shoot 1/2 inch in this same gun..  so you  may loose some accuracy, but for big game, which is what partitions are used for youl like them..  there are other high quality bonded bullets on the market by barnes and etc.. id see what shoots the best.. .  but nosler is definitly the tried and true standby.. ps dont shoot a big game animal in the butt or head. ... my opinion only..   dave..