Inexpensive factory .270 ammo for elk

[Newtosavage]

My son asked for a hunting rifle this year, and I'm planning on giving him a Tikka T3 in .270.

He loves my 7mm-08 Tikka, but he doesn't hand load and I felt the .270 would be easier and cheaper for him to buy ammo for, with basically the same ballistics.

What I'm looking for now are good, affordable loads to test in his rifle that he can use with confidence on elk. I know a lot of folks still use the tried and true Remington Core-lokt in both 130 and 150 grain, and even my vintage 1984 local Wal-mart carries those. But I've had mixed results with Core-lokt's accuracy. Some are great, and some are 2" loads.

Another one I'm looking at are the 150 grain Federal Fusion.

If someone could point me in the right direction with a Tikka .270 and factory ammo, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[jmr40]

I don't own a 270. But I've tried the Hornady American Whitetail ammo in 6.5 CM, 308, and 30-06. It is amazingly accurate for the price. While it carries the "Whitetail" name, the heavier bullet weights should be fine for elk.

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/270-win-140-gr-interlock-sp-american-whitetail#!/

 

[NoName47]

Win super x 150 gr. All I used before handloading, if it can go thru both shoulders of a deer, it should get to the lungs of an elk if it doesnt hit the shoulder. However if using a 270 for elk, I personally would not use a "cheap" bullet for elk. Bonded or copper bullets would be a much better choice. As far as caliber, if you havent bought the rifle yet, I would get a 30-06 instead. Recoil difference is minimal, ammo is same price as 270 and just as available, and a larger bullet wieght selection that can take anything on this continent. My dad took his 06 elk hunting last year with some 180gr ttsx that i loaded for him, shot behind the shoulder, went thru the ribs and exited thru the far shoulder.

 

[stillquietvoice]

My son asked for a hunting rifle this year, and I'm planning on giving him a Tikka T3 in .270.

He loves my 7mm-08 Tikka, but he doesn't hand load and I felt the .270 would be easier and cheaper for him to buy ammo for, with basically the same ballistics.

What I'm looking for now are good, affordable loads to test in his rifle that he can use with confidence on elk. I know a lot of folks still use the tried and true Remington Core-lokt in both 130 and 150 grain, and even my vintage 1984 local Wal-mart carries those. But I've had mixed results with Core-lokt's accuracy. Some are great, and some are 2" loads.

Another one I'm looking at are the 150 grain Federal Fusion.

If someone could point me in the right direction with a Tikka .270 and factory ammo, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

There are heavier bullet weights for 270 win the heaviest I've seen is 180 gr. There are nosler 160 available probably not real cheap but cheap when considering the price of am elk hunt. Perhaps you could do some load development to his new rifle.

I don't own a 270. But I've tried the Hornady American Whitetail ammo in 6.5 CM, 308, and 30-06. It is amazingly accurate for the price. While it carries the "Whitetail" name, the heavier bullet weights should be fine for elk.

https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/270-win-140-gr-interlock-sp-american-whitetail#!/

I just recently shot 2 boxes of hornandy white tails in my 7mm08 rem 700 it was decent for factory ammo. 1 moa put 10 rounds I'm 3 inches at 300 yds.

 

[Newtosavage]

Win super x 150 gr. All I used before handloading, if it can go thru both shoulders of a deer, it should get to the lungs of an elk if it doesnt hit the shoulder. However if using a 270 for elk, I personally would not use a "cheap" bullet for elk.

Neither would I, but I'm being practical. He's not into guns like the old man. Something he could grab at Wal-mart is what I'm looking for.

 

[Newtosavage]

Surely someone here has tried Federal Fusion 150's or Remington Core-lokt 150's from their .270 for elk hunting.

 

[FL-NC]

I wouldn't go "cheap" for an elk. I would want the round that is the most accurate, after trying several top-shelf rounds from the major companies.

 

[Newtosavage]

I wouldn't go "cheap" for an elk. I would want the round that is the most accurate, after trying several top-shelf rounds from the major companies.

I've already run a box of Hornady Precision Hunter 145 ELD-X through it. And it shot very well. But stores like Wal-mart don't carry that stuff.

 

[BigBore44]

It’s all dependent on what that gun likes. But I’ve never heard of any Tikka’s that lacked consistency. Federal Fusion would be a great choice. What shoots best in that rifle would be the best choice.

I have a box of 180gr Core-Lokts in my safe right now for my ‘06 should I go elk hunting next year. It’s been doing the job for 80 years. I bet it can still get it done.

 

[horsey300]

I haven't run fusion in .270, but have in other chambers, that's the one he should use, definitely! It's tougher bonded, like the Hornady interbond, so real long shots would be discouraged, and bc is more reminiscent of a tsx, but straight shooting and hard hitting/deep penetrating/nicely expanding (not exploding like the sst) is how to describe the fusion.

 

[Newtosavage]

I haven't run fusion in .270, but have in other chambers, that's the one he should use, definitely! It's tougher bonded, like the Hornady interbond, so real long shots would be discouraged, and bc is more reminiscent of a tsx, but straight shooting and hard hitting/deep penetrating/nicely expanding (not exploding like the sst) is how to describe the fusion.

Funny you mention that because I am about to buy a box of 150 Fusions for a range trip this morning. I've had great luck with those accuracy-wise, and they should be one of the better low-cost bullets out there. Most Wal-marts, Bass Pro's, etc. carry them too. I'll post my results here when I get them.

 

[FL-NC]

I've already run a box of Hornady Precision Hunter 145 ELD-X through it. And it shot very well. But stores like Wal-mart don't carry that stuff.

Buy several boxes online, problem solved.

 

[Newtosavage]

Buy several boxes online, problem solved.

Not the solution I'm looking for. I want something he can find locally. If I wanted to buy expensive ammo online, I wouldn't have started this thread.

 

[Jinx0760]

Federal Premium Nosler Partition 150g gets the job done on elk. My last elk hunt the guide would not let anyone carry Core-Lokt while he guided, had absolutely no confidence in bullet performance after impact.

 

[Gtscotty]

There are a bunch of good options in the Federal Premium lineup from Accubonds to Partitions to Edge TLRs, TBBC and full copper bullets. Hornady has some good options as well. Controlled expansion/bonded 140gr or 150gr bullets work fine, and that's what I'd look for. I wouldn't have a problem using a copper 130gr bullet either. It seems like what's available at your intended Walmart is the limiting question here.

 

[mustanger98]

So, if your local wallyworld is the limiting factor, why not just go there and buy a box of each .270 load they carry? See which one is most accurate and go from there. I figure you'll find your answer pretty quick.

Got a 200-300yd range? A 4" AR500 plate is nominally 2 MOA or less at 200 and on out. An 8" plate is 4 MOA or less. That'd be a quick way to gauge it. Either plate will be smaller than a deer's or elk's kill zone.

 

[Hookeye]

Buy him 5 boxes and he proly won't ever go to Wally for restocking.
I don't get the Wallyworld requirement though.
But if that truly exists, then I'd guess a visit to their sporting goods counter (like already mentioned) will tell you what's available.
For now.
Who knows what they will stock next yr, or if any lot to lot variance comes about within your chosen type.

 

[Hookeye]

Ammo is 2-3 bucks more a box ( .243 win) at my LGS (compared to Walmart).
Bargain, since it means NOT going to Wallyworld and dealing with that freakshow.

 

[horsey300]

LGS ammo is 2-3 bucks more a box ( .243 win) at my LGS (compared to Walmart).
Bargain, since it means NOT going to Wallyworld and dealing with that freakshow.

At our local freakshow, the sporting goods manager would spank you at long range with his .338 lm. I reckon your dealings with local talent can't be helped but that level was not so high road.

 

[LoonWulf]

Surely someone here has tried Federal Fusion 150's or Remington Core-lokt 150's from their .270 for elk hunting.

Ive not used the fusions in .270, but ive used what im fairly sure ARE fusions in a 6-284, and id be confident of them in a .270.
Corelokts are a standard here, and ive seen them used over, and over on deer. Ive seen them take some feral cattle also, which are elk sized. personally id limit my shooting distance, and i wouldnt hit a shoulder or take a raking shot, but other wise id be happy with them.

Id go with JMRs suggestion of the hornady whitetail ammo if its available, they are loaded with standard hornady spirepoints, which ive found to be very consistent and effective cup n core bullets. Stay off the shoulders and again avoid raking shots and they should perform well. They are also likely to be more accurate than the remingtons.

 

[Mn Fats]

Surely someone here has tried Federal Fusion 150's or Remington Core-lokt 150's from their .270 for elk hunting.

Me but not on Elk... Whitetail. I'm no expert but I'd imagine Elk isn't too much thicker than a whitetail. Maybe someone here can show otherwise. I always used good old Core-Lockts when I'm not reloading.

Not sure why but out of my Rem 700 270 and Model 8 in 35 rem, the cheap Rem Core lokts shoot the best. Even over Federal Premiums. Tight groups, excellent expansion and penetration. Of course, my experience is limited to whitetail.

 

[Hookeye]

Our local W is pretty bad these days.
Was OK 10 yrs ago.

Would think whatever ammo one store had (even if specialized by region) different businesses would also have.
At comparable pricing.

Saw at the gunshow today some WW value packs of 30-06. Dunno what chain stores sell them like that.
Reg PSP type bullets. Think .30-06 and .270 what the guy had.
Did not check price.

Even if the rifle did not like them the best, that'd proly be the way to go for practicing.

 

[Hookeye]

My 742 liked .30-06 Coreloks just fine.
My Contender liked the 150's in .35 rem (now discontinued dangit).
If cheaper ammo is accurate and the bullet performs like you want............SHOOT IT!

 

[Gtscotty]

I'm no expert but I'd imagine Elk isn't too much thicker than a whitetail. Maybe someone here can show otherwise.

Why would you imagine that an animal that's 500 - 700 lbs isn't much thicker than an animal that's 100 - 250 lbs? Even run of the mill elk are much larger in every dimension than whitetail. I'd kill a whitetail with pretty much anything legal, but it's worth using good, deep penetrating bullets for elk, even if the Wally World doesn't have them on the rack.

 

[Mn Fats]

Why would you imagine that an animal that's 500 - 700 lbs isn't much thicker than an animal that's 100 - 250 lbs? Even run of the mill elk are much larger in every dimension than whitetail. I'd kill a whitetail with pretty much anything legal, but it's worth using good, deep penetrating bullets for elk, even if the Wally World doesn't have them on the rack.

Sorry friend. Good points.