smo Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 After years of wanting a good scope, I finally bought a Leupold vx-3 4.5x14x50 boone and crocket. I hope I like the boone and crocket cross hair. Also wondering if a .270 is big enough to take elk @ 400 yds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 What size group can you hit at 400 yards with your 270? Shooting a 130, 140 or 150 gr bullet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 JMO but you're asking too much from a .270 on elk at that range no matter what weight or type of bullet you choose. Shorter ranges OK but not 400 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 JMO but you're asking too much from a .270 on elk at that range no matter what weight or type of bullet you choose. Shorter ranges OK but not 400 yards. I would have said the same thing until two years ago when I moved to a place that has tons of elk hunters that hunt within an hour of here. And honestly, I still dont think I would use my 270 when I have my 300wm but I would say 65% of the people here hunt elk with 270s with shots ranging from 20 yards to 450yards. Yeah, they could take even longer shots, but once you see an elk at 450 yards, 97% of the time you can walk and sneak into 200 yards or less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 I hear what you're saying Ben but when you look at the ft-lbs of energy for a .270 (not a .270 mag or short mag) at 400 yards the numbers for 130, 140, & 150 grain bullets are all just triple digit numbers. JMO but that's taking a risk if you have another option that performs better at that range. I certainly agree that you should have an option to stalk in for a closer shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 I agree with you 100%. If he has a second option to hunt with a gun larger than a 270 I would do it 100% of the time. If not, I would not shoot past 300 yards and I would only shoot that range if I was 100% confident in hitting a 2" spot at 300 yards. Hopefully the OP will come back and give us some more info on his thoughts and plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smo Posted August 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 My brother moved to Colorado last year, and I guess my question is when I go elk hunting out there, what bullet style, grains, etc. should I use. I haven't practiced 400 yd shots, just 300 and feel real comfortable at that range. I don't reload, but have thought of getting into it. Just wondering what you all think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 What gun options do you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smo Posted August 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 .270 thats it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 Then a 270 is what I would use. Like I said earlier, a ton of people have killed many of elk with a 270. Aim for the boiler room and try and avoid the shoulder bone. If you spot an elk, I would get within 200 yards of it before shooting, but if you cant, steady your shot and squeeze slowly and hit exactly where you want to. Then go walk to your downed elk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted August 17, 2011 Report Share Posted August 17, 2011 (edited) Then a 270 is what I would use. Like I said earlier, a ton of people have killed many of elk with a 270. Aim for the boiler room and try and avoid the shoulder bone. If you spot an elk, I would get within 200 yards of it before shooting, but if you cant, steady your shot and squeeze slowly and hit exactly where you want to. Then go walk to your downed elk. Yep...agree with Ben...I'd suggest choosing a load with the heaviest premium bullet you can find that's designed for maximum penetration & weight retention for a .270 on Elk. Elk are tough animals. When you hit one follow up with another shot if you can. If he falls, be ready to follow up with another shot. Edited August 17, 2011 by Rhino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor3ranger Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 270 with a 150gr partitian or accubond will do the trick. If you reload bump them hot for extra range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted August 18, 2011 Report Share Posted August 18, 2011 Myself and several kids we took elk hunting have shot elk with my 270 and 150 grain Speer Grand Slam bullets loaded with a maximum loading of IMR 7828. It seems to work okay out to 350 yards with perfect shot placement but I really like the way the 300 win mag kills them much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC8point Posted August 19, 2011 Report Share Posted August 19, 2011 I hear what you're saying Ben but when you look at the ft-lbs of energy for a .270 (not a .270 mag or short mag) at 400 yards the numbers for 130, 140, & 150 grain bullets are all just triple digit numbers. JMO but that's taking a risk if you have another option that performs better at that range. I certainly agree that you should have an option to stalk in for a closer shot. Too me a .270 just dosen't have enough power at that range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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