I have Elk hunted for years and taken Elk with .270 WSM, .300 Win, .340 Wby, .338 Lapua, and .358 STA and have never had a problem. I prefer the larger bores for Elk but wanted to use the same thing my grandson is going to be shooting on his first Elk hunt to give him encouragement in what he is using. He and I are both using .270 WSM's. I am working up loads and have settled on two. Number one load is with 160 grain Nosler Partitions at 2960 fps average. The second load is with 140 grain Barnes TSX at 3195 fps average. Both loads are equally accurate. Shots will be 350 yards and down. Which load would you guys recommend we use. Thanks for your thoughts in advance.

I've had personal experience with the 160 partitions....it worked quite well.....can't say anything for the other choice.

I have only killed two elk in my life

One fell to a 140 Accubond from my 270 at about 2950

I've used the 150g Partitions at around 3000 fps out of my 270 Win for a very long time. I've killed over 20 elk with it, mainly meat hunting (cows/spikes) cause that's we do. It's a great elk round. The 160g Partition at that velocity should be even better. Can't talk to the TSX's

Every elk I've shot at with my 7mm using 160gr Partitions died and in short order. Last one was at 270 yards with a pass through, elk dropped in his tracks.

I used this same load on a Shiras moose at 175 yards. The bull went maybe 20 feet and dropped dead, one shot.

I would check out the ballistics of the 160 NP at 300, 350 and 400 yards,
against:
a. 150 NP

b. 140 TSX

c. 129 LRX (=TTSX with higher BC)

I was just doing something similar over the weekend and was surprised at some of the differences. Not everything heavier is better. Two items diminish the normal inclination to choose a heaveir bullet. First, the BC may be lower and cause it to lose a lot more energy at 300 yards. Secondly, a heavier bullet may still squander some of its weight through 'splatter,' even the Nosler can splatter 30% of its weight by blowing off the nose.

In Africa, 30 years ago, we enjoyed the 150 NP in 270Win and preferred them over the 160 semi-spitzer NP for larger antelope like hartebeest and waterbuck. However, to be honest, both killed equally well and the one criterion was putting the bullet where it belonged.

with newer bullet technology I would check out the 129 grain LRX (=TTSX with high BC), even over the 150 TSX or 140 TSX (which has been redesigned and has a lower BC than some of the charts and tables; check the Barnes website product menus, not the older 'load tables' for BC).

On the question of BC, Nosler has a new 150grain .277" bullet with .625BC, though a question might arise about its reliability to penetrate at 100-200 yards in a 270 WSM, despite its Accubond pedigee.

Nosler Partition...never a bad choice.

The Nosler Partition performs as it was designed some 99+% of the time. Monometal bullets usually perform as designed, but a somewhat lower percentage of the time. Unless you are hunting in a lead-restricted area, there is no good reason to choose a monometal bullet.

I would probably choose the sharper spitzer 150 grain bullet over the slightly less aerodynamic 160 semi-spitzer, but the difference in the two will be negligible. Admittedly, the 160 might have a slight advantage when ranges are unexpectedly short.

Nosler!! Don't fix it if it ain't broke! roger

I used the 150gr Partition from about 1971 (when I bought my 270) until 1992, when I switched to Barnes. I have been using Barnes ever since.

I can't say a bad word about the Partition, but the Barnes have produced faster kills for me, especially on Elk. I use the 130gr T-TSX in my 270, and it perforates Elk.

My only "experience" with an elk shot with a .270 was watching a hunter kill a 5x5 bull at about 500 yards with one shot using a 150 grain Nosler Partition. The elk managed to stumble about 20 yards if that much, went down and never moved.

I think either of those loads listed will work if the rifles like them.

I use a 7mm and shoot hornady 139 interlock's at 2875 fps average.
anywhere in the high shoulder area makes for a dead elk, or mule deer out to 300 yds.

I would prefer the nosler from your two choices, I find a number of barely opened mono-metal bullets at the 300 yd line.

Definitely the 160 Nosler Partition. Elk, deer, pigs...
Best penetration was three 30 pound pigs with one shot.

Both make the same sized hole and I suspect the mono metal would offer as good of if not superior penetration to the Partition. Basically both will do the job. I shoot a 139 grain GMX out of mine for everything that is sub 600 yards. After that more specialized bullets are required.

I took dall sheep and mountain caribou with the 140 AB. The sheep at 150 yards dropped in tracks, the bou at 315 yards ran 30 yards and dropped. They are smaller than elk for sure, but the 140 AB worked well on these two.

It won't make any difference one way or the other, they both have the same penetration for all practical purposes. I doubt if anyone could tell which one is best if they shot 100 head of elk..

I use the 150 and 160 gr. Noslers myself, mostly because thats what I've always used and they always worked.

You could do the homework as suggested if the numbers are bugging you, but there probably isn't much difference on game. I have had some mixed results with the Barnes and have all but quit using them. The newer ones seem less prone to penciling like an FMJ, and if you keep the distance short enough that the velocity is still enough to open them reliably they'll probably be fine.

My personal choice would be a NP.

As a side note, why is it that you haven't included the 150 gr. NF? You're such a proponent of them. Of the 2 you listed, I'd go with the always dependable Partition although I've never shot an elk.
Just curious about the lack of a NF in your choices.
Bear in Fairbanks

Choosing the partition is never a mistake. And, fwiw, I worship at the alter of "heavy for caliber".

Bear in Fairbanks ----- Two reasons for not shooting the Northfork 150 grain bullets, and beleave me I would like to. I have four .270 WSM rifles and none of them like the 150 grain bullet of any make. They all like the 130 and 140 grain bullets and three of them like the 160 grain Nosler Partitions. When I started testing bullets for accuracy and found my rifles did not like the 150 grainers, I would have swore the Northforks would have shot good because on most other chamberings I have used them on, they always were the most accurate. They would group 1 to 1.5 inchs and no better. I realize that is good enough for hunting, but I am anal about one holers when I finally decide on loads. Then I thought my rifles didn't like the heavier bullets. I then shot some 160 grain Partitions and they shot one holers when I did my part. I took a huge Cow Elk with a 130 grain Northfork and got a one shot bang flop. I had a Deer tag and Cow Elk tag that year and was Deer hunting and had no time to switch to my Elk load when the shot came, obviously I was satisfied with the results. My grandson and I both have Bull tags this year and I wanted to use a heavier bullet just in case we get old mossy horns in front of us. The second reason for considering the Nosler Partition is I have 20 boxes of over runs I got for a song from Shooters Pro Shop to go with 10 sacs of blems, they all shoot fine. The reason I am considering the Barnes TSX 140 grainer is I have taken a few Mule Deer with it and they performed perfectly. Bullet hole width going in and silver Dollar sized hole on exit. Yep, I like the Northforks, but I always will use what my rifles say they like and not break the bank. I will say I have enough bullets that my great grandson will not have to buy bullets of any size. I managed to have 34 boxes when Mike Brady sold. Good shooting.

Why that's simple. Either one would work just great.


.

Partititons worked fine for me but didn't stop elk as fast or shoot as well as the Barnes ttsx in either 7mm or 30-06. You certainly can't go wrong either way - maybe let the youngster make the choice between the 2 great projectiles. He can't make a bad choice and gets to be an important part of the planning.

Phurley5:
Now I understand your situation. Good luck. I know that if you get within shooting distance, there'll be meat on the table.
B.I.F.

Thanks for all the responses, all good, they reinforced my thinking. I am planning on using the 160 grain Partition and I will give my grandson his choice after a summer of shooting. I plan to fully explain the construction of each bullet so that he will understand the attributes of each. His shooting will help decide in the end. As was suggested, he input in the planning is important to the hunt. He is my second grandson to Elk hunt with me and his dad. They have to earn all the money they will spend on the hunt. The only thing they don't pay is for my reloading, I consider that my previlege. Good shooting.

Well placed shots with either will do the job. Personally, I'd let accuracy be the determining factor.

phurley, Way beyond bullet choices, you should be commended for the choices you've made to raise your son and influence your grandsons in the way of the woods. It really brings out the man in young boys.

Having watched my dad consistently put elk on the ground with 130 grain Core-Lokt bullets for the past 30+ years with his old 270, I'd say either choice would work. Accuracy would be my determining factor, however I've switched all my rifles over to Barnes in recent years.

quote:

Originally posted by Rub Line:
Well placed shots with either will do the job. Personally, I'd let accuracy be the determining factor.

I've killed elk with a variety of Sierra and Hornady cup and core bullets in 117 gr, 150gr, and 180 gr weights, about a couple dozen elk with 180 gr Partitions, and 7 mm 160 gr Accubond, and my current favorite is the Barnes 168 gr TSX and TTSX bullet.

They will all work if you put the bullet in the right place.

quote:

Originally posted by phurley5:
I realize that is good enough for hunting, but I am anal about one holers when I finally decide on loads.

If I had that standard, I'd never go hunting. I just can't shoot one hollers. I'm generally in the "about an inch" is good enough.

scottfromdallas ----- I had never shot one holers until I started reloading and shooting extensively to test the loads. My one holer is three shots fired from a hunting rifle that touch each other, my favorite is a three leaf clover hole. I cannot shoot them every day, but on good days with the trigger pull and a load that is right I can. I shot one single hole group with one of my .270 WSM's that my grandson will be shooting this year for Elk. Some days I can't buy a one holer and on good days I might get several and with different rifles. I cannot drink sodas on the days I shoot. I shoot 2000 to 3000 rounds a year with all my rifles instead of playing golf. Good shooting.

I really like the Woodleigh .277 ppsn 150 gr. They are accurate and the point doesn't get damaged from recoil in the magazine. I haven't shot an elk with them, but have killed a coyote with a running shot. I caught the coyote trying to "hamstring" a calf elk. He darted away some 50 yards and I shot him right in the asshole. He dropped instantly with NO blood, but his eyeballs popped out. I think that was pretty good penetration, asshole to eyeballs!! I never recovered the bullet. The Woodleighs are really good. But, they are hard to find. If I were ever to select an elk load, for the 270WSM would select the 160gr. Nosler as my first pick. Why, because it is good and very accurate and not hard to find.

I've been pondering the same question with 180 grain .30 calibre bullets for leopard and plains game in October. I think these comments tip me toward the old Noslers.

I've seen so many elk killed with factory ammo, mostly Corelokts, Silvertips, lots of locals use Hornady and Speer with success over and over again...

I always use Nosler partitions, mostly 200 gr. 30-06 or 300 H&H caliber...Why, I need penetration in the thick black swampy timber of Idaho, and going away shots is all you get. and that 200 gr. Nosler or the 286 gr. 9.3x62 dumps them on their nose at the shot. Its a nasty place to hunt, but the big bulls like it there after the first shot of the season goes off.

I recommend using whatever makes you feel most confident. I've had 100% success with partitions in terms of kill and accuracy. But, like many, when the TSX came out, I was all over it and used that bullet type only for a few years on everything unless I was bowhunting. Then the TTSX came out and same thing. Partitions are boring but near perfect, and in my experience, the Barnes seems to hit hard and drop whatever they hit. Plus, if you like blood trails, in my experience, the Barnes creates gushers.

Here's a penetration vid:
30-30 with barnes

I don't think they used the Barnes flat nose HP built by Barnes for the 30-30, so that is a not very practical test.

A few years ago I purchased about 12 boxes of factory ammo loaded with 150 ge. Barnes flat nose HPs for the 30-30..It shot good in my super accurate 94 Carbine so I hunted a bit with it.

Shot a few deer with it and one cow elk, and it performed about like one would expect from a 30-06 or 35 whelen..good short blood trails, nice size exit holes, even performed great on the cow elk, she stood still for about a minute or two fell dead on the spot, range about 150 to 175 yards. No deer ran more than 30 yards, most less than that. shot lots of called in coyotes with it and all instant kills as one would expect at under 50 yards. A running pronghorn at 200 yards did two flips and never moved..Maybe I'll take to Africa one day for plainsgame. Wish Barnes would make a 100 and a 115 gr. flat nose HP for the 25-35, it would be a deer slayer for sure.

140gr Accubonds with Retumbo are my loads in my couple 270WSM's. Great caliber/bullet combo for elk,moose, bears, deer at various distances for me !!

I also get excellent results and accuracy with the 140 grain Accubonds and Ballistic Tips by Nosler. All my .270 WSM's really like the 140 grain bullets as well as the 160 grain Nosler Partition. They also like the 130 grain Northforks, and they are all have a dislike for 150 grain bullets for some reason. All the Nosler bullets I shot are the blems and I find them no different from the first run bullets in any way. Good shooting.

Pat: Have a great time hunting with your grandson. We miss seeing you in Dallas. Frank & Joyce

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
Nosler!! Don't fix it if it ain't broke! roger

Ditto!

I've seen, at touching range, the one-time #1 archery elk .. they die from the same things field rats do .. bullet placement...

use whatever bullet YOU are comfortable shooting, and that YOU feel is more than accurate enough...