Downloaded .270, hunting story

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Over the past few weeks, I have posted a couple of topics on THR, which lead me to try downloading my .270 Winchester for hunting Missouri whitetails while reducing recoil pain in my aging shoulder. I settled on a handload using the Hornady 110 grain VMax bullet and 29.5 grains of H4895, which virtually eliminated recoil and gave me 1/2 MOA groups at 100 yards in my Ruger #1 Light Sporter. The Missouri regular firearms season opened Saturday during record breaking cold weather for this time of year. I saw one deer on Saturday, no shot.

Today was my second hunt, still cold with a north wind but with enough sunshine to make sitting in a tree stand bearable. About 3:00 PM I shot fat spike. It was a poor shot, hitting too far back. He went about 30 yards, stopped, and stood there. I have no doubt he would have collapsed in a couple of minutes, but I put a second shot into his chest. He flopped in his tracks and it was all over. I don't try to make excuses for a poor shot. He came into view behind me on the right side and I am right handed, so I was twisted into a very uncomfortable position. He spotted me as I raised the rifle so I hurried the shot. He moved to a location more in front of my stand, where I could place the second shot more accurately. No excuses, that's just the way it went.

There were no exit wounds for either shot. The only visible blood came from his mouth and nose after the second shot. Internal hemorrhage found when he was field dressed was impressive.

So my conclusions: Those who prefer complete penetration to produce a blood trail for tracking will not like this load. On the other hand, even a poorly placed shot caused enough internal damage to prevent the deer from going far. The second, better placed shot, caused instant collapse. And recoil was negligible. Those who want a usable load for deer sized game for hunters who may be recoil sensitive can confidently consider this kind of combination.

This combination is satisfactory for my hunting needs at this time. If it fails me in the future, I would still use a light bullet, but perhaps of different construction.

My thanks to those who offered guidance and their experience in my other threads. This has been an enjoyable and educational experience. After using only commercially loaded cartridges in the past, it's handloads for me from now on! And my missus is pleased that we have a table trophy. We are looking forward to enjoying this fellow.

spike2018.JPG
 
Real good to hear.

Now, that part about being uncomfortable and rushing the shot... some could take a lesson from that part of your account, too. I've had to shoot one twice before, too... didn't set well, but figured out why and how to avoid it.
 
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Real good to hear.

Now, that part about being uncomfortable and rushing the shot... some could take a lesson from that part of your account, too. I've had to shoot one twice before, too... didn't set well, but figured out why and how to avoid it.

I’m human, therefore fallible. But I’m also honest. I prefer one shot kills and most of mine have been, but getting it over quickly is paramount, regardless of the number of shots needed.
 
I’m human, therefore fallible. But I’m also honest. I prefer one shot kills and most of mine have been, but getting it over quickly is paramount, regardless of the number of shots needed.

That's all part of what I'm talking about. Being both human and humane. And do we not have to be honest with ourselves...
 
Excellent; well done! Glad things came together for you. Great when three hobbies—shooting, reloading, and hunting—come together. Thanks for sharing the journey!
 
Congrats on the deer. I haven't taken one yet this year. My son, on the other hand, is filling the freezer quickly. Guess I better get in gear.

As for you load, there has always been a view that a bullet should expend all its energy within the target animal, and thus not exit. The trade-off is that there isn't much of a blood trail.
 
D2860B1B-65DF-4175-BBED-833D9D820B2A.jpeg

Update

Second successful hunt Saturday evening, took a nice sized button buck on my Anterless tag (thought it was a doe, but, you know...).

98 steps, the hand loaded round slipped behind his shoulder blade, clipped the aorta, severed his spine. Dropped in his tracks, instantaneous. Again, no exit wound, but none needed. He was in the processor’s cooler 90 minutes after the shot. Looking forward to fine dining.

My reduced .270 handloads have proven themselves to my satisfaction. Hope I can enjoy them for a few more years. I have a batch of homemade summer sausage from deer #1 curing in the fridge. Hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving this year as much as I will!

Best to all of my fellow outdoorsmen for this holiday season.
 
Over the past few weeks, I have posted a couple of topics on THR, which lead me to try downloading my .270 Winchester for hunting Missouri whitetails while reducing recoil pain in my aging shoulder. I settled on a handload using the Hornady 110 grain VMax bullet and 29.5 grains of H4895, which virtually eliminated recoil and gave me 1/2 MOA groups at 100 yards in my Ruger #1 Light Sporter. The Missouri regular firearms season opened Saturday during record breaking cold weather for this time of year. I saw one deer on Saturday, no shot.

Today was my second hunt, still cold with a north wind but with enough sunshine to make sitting in a tree stand bearable. About 3:00 PM I shot fat spike. It was a poor shot, hitting too far back. He went about 30 yards, stopped, and stood there. I have no doubt he would have collapsed in a couple of minutes, but I put a second shot into his chest. He flopped in his tracks and it was all over. I don't try to make excuses for a poor shot. He came into view behind me on the right side and I am right handed, so I was twisted into a very uncomfortable position. He spotted me as I raised the rifle so I hurried the shot. He moved to a location more in front of my stand, where I could place the second shot more accurately. No excuses, that's just the way it went.

There were no exit wounds for either shot. The only visible blood came from his mouth and nose after the second shot. Internal hemorrhage found when he was field dressed was impressive.

So my conclusions: Those who prefer complete penetration to produce a blood trail for tracking will not like this load. On the other hand, even a poorly placed shot caused enough internal damage to prevent the deer from going far. The second, better placed shot, caused instant collapse. And recoil was negligible. Those who want a usable load for deer sized game for hunters who may be recoil sensitive can confidently consider this kind of combination.

This combination is satisfactory for my hunting needs at this time. If it fails me in the future, I would still use a light bullet, but perhaps of different construction.

My thanks to those who offered guidance and their experience in my other threads. This has been an enjoyable and educational experience. After using only commercially loaded cartridges in the past, it's handloads for me from now on! And my missus is pleased that we have a table trophy. We are looking forward to enjoying this fellow.

View attachment 811892
Because of the 6.8 phenomenon there are a lot of lighter 270 bullets to try. Solids for example
 
110 vmax in300 black out is great for deer. 110 in 270 is weak and should be avoided. you should know this.
 
Actually, some 110 bullets are excellent game bullets in the .270. The Barnes 110 TSX bullets have a good rep in the .270. Sierra even specifically recommended their .277” 110 SP bullet for medium game. At a reduced velocity even soft “varmint” bullets behave more like game bullets, not blowing up. Handgun hunters have proven this for decades. You should know this.


.
 
Real good to hear.

Now, that part about being uncomfortable and rushing the shot... some could take a lesson from that part of your account, too. I've had to shoot one twice before, too... didn't set well, but figured out why and how to avoid it.

Happens to everyone if you hunt long enough. Even the guys on TV miss sometimes.
 
Happens to everyone if you hunt long enough. Even the guys on TV miss sometimes.

I figure it goes back to how every time sets up different. We figure how to make next time work better than last time assuming it goes more or less the same way, but it's not foolproof. We set our guns to hit a certain way according to what we figure we need, but field positions will vary with terrain and movement of game. And celebrities are human too.
 
Congrats! I also hunted this year with my downloaded 270, but passed on a lot of small bucks and does. Antlerless season comes in this weekend, so I'll be back out.

You might consider bumping up to the Hornady 120gr SST instead of that V-Max bullet. You'll not likely see any noticeable increase in recoil and you'll get an exit wound. No exit wound would make me nervous where I hunt because the woods are so thick and there are a lot of places a deer run off and never be found. I would say at least give the 120 SST a try and see if the results are any different. You can always switch back to the load you're currently using.
 
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