ross16689 Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Just wondering if anyone knows what the heaviest load easily available for a .270? I've got to humanly dispatch large bulls on a regular basis and with the thickness of their skulls a 150 grain wont do the job. Any help would be greatly apprecitaed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 (edited) A .270 will kill just about any thing shot through the heart and lungs let alone through the head . I have seen big bull moose shot clean with a .270 . I once had the unenviable job of shooting a bull that had broken a leg and killed it clean with a neck shot from a .308 . I should think that the muzzel blast from a .270 at close range will kill a bull in the head . I think that their is something wrong if you carnt dispatch a bull humanly with any weight of bullet from a .270 . Harnser . Edited May 19, 2009 by Harnser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Having fired a 150g soft point from a .270 I could not understand how there is any animal on Gods earth that wouldn't fall to it, let alone at short ranges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 was the bullet too light in construction and blowing up on the surface? You could just slow it down some if you reload. Alternatively go to a tougher bullet. Federal premium does the Sierra Game king and Nosler accubond, both in 150 gr, for the 270. Norma has the 150 gr Oryx designed for Africa. Winchester also do the 150 gr accubond. Thanks Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Alternatively go to a tougher bullet. Makes me think of the old big game trick of flipping a softy round to make a hard point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mft135 Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 If you are having to put down bulls or live stock on a regular basis, i would recomend you get a humane killer works with a .22 blank cartridge very effective, i have shot a lot of live stock over the years with everything from a .22 hornet to a .308 now i only shoot live stock with a rifle as a last resort. the humane killer takes the danger out of the equation especialy if the animal is in a farm building or stock yard. Also make sure you have this application on your liecence as it is an offence to shoot farm animals with out it. if you are using 270 a 150 grain sp not ballistic tip head should do the job ok Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross16689 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Cheers for the advice, just wanted to check a 150 grain would do the job! Dads got a captive bolt killer but shooting them in the field saves a bit of stress handling etc, I have humane dispatch on my certificate, the local firearms dept(tayside police) do a great job, I'm only 19 and got the .270 with few questions asked based on my shooting in New Zealand/Australia! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Ross , The .270 150 grn bullet is more than enough to kill a bull with a head shot . I am now assuming that you are using the rifle in thr field rather than in the stock yards . If i was having to kill them and could get to within 30 yards of the beasts i would use a rifle with open sights as this would be more accurate at the close ranges and be more pointable . If on the other hand you cannot get closer than 100 yards ,a scoped rifle and a neck shot . I know that it can be difficult if the beast is injured and still on its feet . Are these bulls injured when you have to shoot them .? Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross16689 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 The beasts are either injured/ ill/ very old. We run a large beef farm and I help out with the neighbours too, the rifle is used out in the field yes, the bulls are usually tame enough to get within about 20 yards but sometimes they are too distressed. Obviously its not a daily occurrence but dispatching animals is fairly regular. I'd heard of using a .270 on cxp4 game in africa from a friend of a friend but wouldnt think a 150 grain would take down a cape buffalo, other reason is I'm going back out to Australia again to work in a few years and need to be able to take out feral cattle/ buffalo and camel. Anyone know if a .270 could do this or should I get hold of something like a .375 h&h? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 should I get hold of something like a .375 h&h? I belive this round is the minimum reccomended for the big 5 in africa, But things might be different in oz, would be well worth asking contacts over there what they use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross16689 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Dont think they bother too much with regulations in the outback. Last time I was out the shearers were shooting large sambar with a .223, 6 shots whilst charging around on the back of a pickup with a spotlight! always good fun. Still any excuse to get a bigger gun1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harnser Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Ross , The .270 is still enough gun to dispatch buffalo i assume you mean the feral asian buffalo also camels and feral cattle ,if being used the same way as dispatching the bulls close up with a head shot . If these animals are to be stalked i would seriously concider a more potent rifle such as the 375 H.AND H. magnum or 338 winchester mag ,or 458 winchester mag . Harnser . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 We also run a beef unit and I have a humane despatch authority on my FAC, but on the single occasion in the last 2 years that I have had to take such a shot, I opted for the greater margin for error that my .30-06 provided. In answer to your question, it is possible to run a .270 with 180gr loads, but it appears uncommon. Something like a .308/.30-06/.300WM will give you the versatility and punch that you need, particularly if you are larking around in the brush at close range. If you are serious about shooting dangerous game (somebody might mistake you for an American if you call it 'CXP4'), I would choose something beginning with a .4". I use a .470NE for Cape buffalo, which behaves a little better than a .458 WM, but it is monstrously expensive to run. If I was buying again, I would look at something like a .375 RCM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross16689 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Don't know if I could afford a 470 NE. In Australia it wouldn't be stalking, just oppurtunity shots whilst out at work, trying to find something without a huge noise as well as suppressors are banned down under, I'll be going over to New Zealand as well so might just stick with a .270 but was considering chaning to something like a browning blr lever action for shooting bush pigs as well as waipati/ red stags. Anyone got experience with this gun/similar ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 trying to find something without a huge noise All of them biggens let off a big of a bark when fired, but as harnser said, something starting with a .4 will be good, and there is a huge range of choice. All the way from the .404 Jeffery to the .470 Nitro Express and everything inbetween! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 A lever-action .270 would be good, but I'd still opt for something larger. You can never be over-gunned. See this thread on the BLR: http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...0356&hl=BLR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross16689 Posted May 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 Glad to hear it, my family think I'm over gunned already at 2 rifles and 2 shotguns! Ridiculous! Think I'll wait for a while and apply for something bigger when I have proof I'm heading out to shoot down under. Any idea where I would be able to get 180 grain .270 rounds or would it be a case of hand loading? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy. Posted May 19, 2009 Report Share Posted May 19, 2009 If you're buying factory loads, just don't buy the 'varmint' heads and go for the large game ones. You'll see on the back. Nevertheless a .270 bullet would easily kill any animal on the planet (and deafen it in the process) so I don't see why you'd need to worry about the bullet being over 150grn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lapwing Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Surely he should be flying the British flag whilst visiting the colonies. Why not something eccentric, English, and effective like the .505 Gibbs. Won't cost too much to run as he will have a seriously sore shoulder after a couple of shots. His Aussie companions will be suitably impressed when they feel the recoil if he manages not to wince before they have a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casts_by_fly Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 Or since he wants to shoot an 'American' gun (The browning BLR) why not get an american cartridge to match- 45-70? Thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldrick Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 I thought a lever-action .444 Marlin might be a good alternative. You'd have to handload 180gr bullets in the .270. But at that weight you're money is better placed on a larger calibre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytie Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 (edited) During the last foot and mouth outbreak two local stalkers used .30-30's to dispatch huge numbers of cattle. I think Ian and Blue used Marlins, certainly lever action rifles. They said that at close/ish range there was nothing better, anything much bigger and the bullets will go straight through. All the energy is expended on the animal, not on the ground after it punched through. atb, ft Edit I thought the weak place on a bulls skull was between the eye and the ear? Thinking back a few years that was where i saw one shot, with a .38 special pistol. It went down like a ton of bricks. Edited May 21, 2009 by flytie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crouch valley Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 I dont think you would have to go to heavy as i have shot quite a few bulls and cows with a 243. Shoot them straight between the eyes and they go straight down. mind you i was only a 100 yards away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 I thought the weak place on a bulls skull was between the eye and the ear? Thinking back a few years that was where i saw one shot, with a .38 special pistol. It went down like a ton of bricks. Draw an imaginary cross from the eyes to the ears and aim just to the left or right of where the two lines cross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M ROBSON Posted May 25, 2009 Report Share Posted May 25, 2009 I've shot several Bullocks and Bulls with my .270 and 150gr Hornady SP, they all drop on the spot. I shoot them side-on just an inch behind the eye. Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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