Expert: Steven L. Ashe - 10/22/2009

Question
Hi Steven

I have an ammo question for you.  I am a one-rifle man, which is a nice, bolt action, Ruger 270.  I use this rifle to hunt both mule deer and elk.  In the past, for deer, I have used Federal Premium 130 grain BTSP ammunition and for elk I have used Federal Premium 150 grain NP ammunition.  My rifle shoots the Federal Premium ammo very well.  What I would like to do, instead of using two different bullets, is use one bullet to hunt both deer and elk.  In 270 winchester factory ammo, prefferably Federal Premium, if you were going to use just one single bullet for both deer and elk, exactly what bullet would you buy?

Thanks,

Harmon  

Answer
Hello Harmon,
First off, congratulations on the successes that you have had with your .270Win. chambered rifle!
I am firm believer in sticking with what has worked in the past. If you have successfully taken elk with your Fed. Premium 150 grain Nosler Partition cartridges, stick with that cartridge. The Nosler Partition in 150 grain will give you better penetration and will retain more weight than would and older designed 180grain bullet that is not bonded. The Nosler Partition is a proven performer on elk and other heavy deer, so if it shoots well in your Ruger, stay with it.
While the .270Win. cartridge was made most famous by it's performance with the 130 grain bullet, that bullet is a bit light for elk. The mule deer will not know the difference, when you hit them with a 150 grain bullet, as opposed to the 130 grain bullets that you have previously used on mule deer.
I agree with you, in terms of using one cartridge and bullet weight for everything. You are already on the right track by using one rifle for all your hunting and you are never undergunned with a good rifle, firing the .270 Winchester cartridge.
The famous old gun writer, Jack O'Connor, killed just about every game animal in the world, using a .270 Winchester chambered rifle. Jack said, "Beware the man who only owns one rifle. He can probably shoot it!" That, Harmon, is where you are! By only using one rifle, you are very likely to become very deadly with it and far ahead of a man who swaps off on a battery of rifles, for every hunt.
If you place your bullets and restrict yourself to your own set of limits, in terms of range, you will kill all the elk that you see in the field with the Ruger chambered in .270 Winchester and firing that 150 grain Nosler Partition.
Good luck and let me know how you do.
For years, I went west with a .270 Winchester, Model 70 Winchester rifle. Four years ago, I began using my single shot Browning B78 in 7mmRemMag, just because I wanted the challenge of a single shot rifle on deer. I have not seen any difference, between the effectiveness of my 7mmRemMag and my old .270 Winchester. Both kill very cleanly and effectively, if I do my part.
Best regards,
Steven L. Ashe