Which bullet?

[FemoralArchery]

Now that I've decided to stick with my .270 and invest in a rangefinder, I need to start looking at bullets.

I'm looking for bullets that will best fit each of my two purposes, or if I'm lucky, one that will do both.

#1. Coyotes. One of my closest friends is into skinning/stretching/selling coyote hides right now. If I kill one, I'd like it not to have a fist sized hole if possible. Which bullet would provide the smallest entry and exit holes on coyotes out to 500 yards?

#2. Elk. What bullet will provide the best performance on an elk?

We skinned 23 coyotes last weekend, from a coyote calling contest. I saw everything from holes as big as both my fists to holes I never saw until we turned them inside out. I am hoping results similar to the latter, if possible.

[FemoralArchery]

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1391113515.215863.jpg (143.55 KiB) Viewed 10146 times

Here's what I spent last Sunday doing. (That's my buddy there. Next time he calls me and asks if I want to hang out, the answer is NO!!!)

[UtPreacher]

Are you reloading or just looking for factory loaded bullets?

[FemoralArchery]

Both.

If I can find a good performing bullet that is factory loaded, that's a plus. I do have access to a reloading setup, so I will have the ability to reload.

[itsnlkthing]

No coyote experience but we've had good success with the Federal Vital Shock 150 grain Nosler partitions for elk...

[UtPreacher]

I shoot Barnes bullets that are great for not making huge holes in critters like coyotes but put elk down quick. You just have to push the bullet as fast as you can while maintaining accuracy for them to perform well on big game. Also I have never used them out of that caliber but my father in law has. I believe he was shooting the 130 gr. ttsx and it did great on his late cow hunt.
I think Partitions would be a great choice also just may make bigger holes.

[Still Hunter]

For elk...................150gr Partition.

[Swede]

I guess I fit in the middle of these different recommendations. If I had to go with one bullet that was reasonably flat shooting and had sufficient knock down power for elk, it would be 140 gr. I really don't know which manufacturer's bullet is the deadliest. I have used several, and all I know is that with a good hit, the animals die quickly.

[JJ Overkill]

ive been playing with the hornday 165gr GMX bullets out of my 300WSM. im not sure where the bullets is now but I weighed them all before loading I only used the 165gr my son found bullet that had gone through a 3/4" piece of plywood, half rotten log and buried in the dirt, weight was 162gr after impacting everything. this was @ 150yds. I like them a lot so far but I keep shooting elk with arrows so I haven't had the chance to try them on a live target.

[Buglemaster]

I've shot a 270 my entire life & loved the ballistics of the hornady 140 gr boattail for elk. As for a coyote round in that caliber, I haven't found it. It does kill em dead tho. A 270 is quite evasive on thin skinned ,light weight game. Needles & thread. Lots of it!

[Huntrgathr]

.270 is hard on dogs. I don't think you'll find a good load for both elk and coyotes. For elk and deer, I shot standards like the Core-lokt and Partition until I started reloading and shot a few deer with the Barnes TSX. If there's a better hunting bullet than that Barnes, I'll never find it. I'm done looking. They come out the exit side 100% intact, looking like a gnarly broad head.

After reading your other thread about buying a new rifle , I think you should. Load up your .270 for elk and get something smaller ( .204, .220 swift, 22-250) for coyotes.

[FemoralArchery]

I will get a new rifle, probably just not until next year. I want a light .223 or 22-250 for coyotes and such, so I will be looking for one.

I have a 22-250, which shoots amazing. I absolutely love this gun, but its got a bull barrel and there's no way I'm packing that thing around all day. I have killed hundreds of squirrels and chucks with it, I just don't like packing it around for any reason.

I also have a .243. I killed two dogs with it last winter, and I don't remember the holes being very big, but then again I wasn't looking at the damage either.

[cnelk]

I havent worked up a load for my 270 yet.

But I have for my 243 that works well for minimal fur damage.
I tried FMJ bullets, but with no expansion, the outcome wasnt favorable
And 80gr - 100gr seemed to be too damaging
After trying some others, I have settled on 55gr Nosler Ballistic Silvertips
I use 42gr of VARGET for propellant
The holes are very complimentary to fur sales - give them a try

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Nosler-W ... 741220.uts

Good luck

[RockChucker30]

Anything bigger than 22-250 and you get in the "coyote hammer / not saving fur" category. That said, a downloaded tsx would be a good bet.

For elk a hot tsx, accubond, or partition will work fine.

I had very impressive results with a 130 AB out of my 260 on deer this year. I like that bullet a lot.

BTW, I hate skinning cold coyotes. But it may be better than field skinning them when its 25 degrees with 30 mph winds.

[Elkduds]

RE elk: I found some factory loaded Doubletap brand in 270, loaded w 160 GR Nosler partitions. Bought 2 boxes from Cabelas Bargain Cave on clearance. This is an awesome elk round out to 200 yds. After that it slows down. Relaoders can build w this same Nosler. I'm not aware of a heavier factory load in 270. Also, your gun will display an accuracy preference for one brand/weight of bullets over others, you never know until you try them. Can't help w 'yotes, I let the predators run.

[Lefty]

If your not selling the fur, putting them down is more important.
I rolled a bitch at 178 yards off my driveway last year with a 160 ballistic tip from my 7MM big ugly hole
175 Federal game load makes a big hole also
My fatherinlaw use to shoot Horady solid copper jacket 140 boat tail. 7mm in 7 mm out

Guys that are just going for fur use a solid bullet traveling fast from bigger guns ( 243 and up )

For big game Im all about Particians in my wifes 30-06 (1.2") and my 7mm(.57") ballistic tips will pull that tighter witht he 30-06 (1") and the 7mm to a tight (.33")

[cnelk]

Anything bigger than 22-250 and you get in the "coyote hammer / not saving fur" category.

Not so.
With the recipe in my 243, there are many times I dont even get an exit hole.
I have even shot coyotes with my 340 Wby Mag and 225gr bullets.
those bullets are so big and going so fast they barely fracture - leaving 2 quarter sized holes.

[Gypsumreaper]

I personally shoot a 270 I use it for elk and deer, I have shot coyotes with all different bullets out of it an it was not worth it at all to even try to keep them. Currently I am reloading my own with 150gr hornady sst bullets, me an my brother both shot bucks this year with this round, we had 1 inch entrance and exits were up to 3 ribs on his, at 200 yards, mine was 2 ribs at 70 yards. When he hit his it sent a shock wave up his shoulders an made his ears flap so hard I though he shot him in the neck. But it was a perfect lung shot broadside. I load them got with rl-19 I believe haven't loaded any in a while so I'm not sure on grains. I also loaded the sst in my brothers .243 and dads .300 win mag all bullets were devastating on animals. My dad and brother tag teamed a buck this year and after my brothers first shot high lung, he took off and my dad shot him upper back and exited out the chest that put him down. Those are my favorite bullets an think they perform very well

[Lefty]

You really need 2 different bullets weights if you want to save the fur.
I dont remeber exactly but I shot some 120 balistic tips and 160 particians from my 7mm
The baliistic tips shot 1' over and left an easy pair to remeber you can either make a mental change or chage your scope settings and you shoud be good with all shots out to 300 yards ( I sight my gun for the 160 particians to 250 yards

[baddaddy]

Try a Barnes 140 grain TSX.

[Conrad8899]

I like 140 accubonds in mt 270 wsm... Very accurate in my gun

[elkaholic]

Like cnelk the Mrs. uses a .243 and it is awesome on coyotes. 55 gr ballistic tip with H414 powder and its lights out for coyotes. Damage is minimal most of the time. I really like this caliber. ALOT! I would use it for coyotes and the .270 for elk. Not sure on the bullets for the .270 because I have never reloaded for one. Out of the 06 and .338 mag I use a Barnes x bullet or partitions so far.

[Shawn032]

165 gr Nosler trophy grade partition for my 308