.270 ammo

[Kaiser Hirsch]

Just out of total curiosity my friend just purchased a browning a-bolt .270 what in your opinion would be the best deer cartridge? We primarliy hunt in heavy wooded areas with some open fields that could require a fairly long shot.

[KwackWacker]

I use a standard factoy load. Federal Premium 135 grain does one heck of a job out to about 300 yards. I don't shoot much further than that. I've used just about all the major brands and that one shoots best out of my rifle. Experiment a little and you might find something better.

[Kaiser Hirsch]

Thanks. Usually when we find something that works we stick with it. We'll most likely start with your suggestion on what you use and work from there. Every year we need to be ready for the season there is no time to waste cause its only 2 weeks here. One mistake can cost you your buck for the season.

[DocHolladay]

I use Hornady Custom Factory Ammo. It is 140gr. SST. I was using Winchester 130 Power Points and got groups that I was satisfied with until I tried the Hornady. Remington Core Lokts are great also. I would do as Kwack said and try several different loads. You rifle may like one that isnt listed here. It is best to try a 3-5 shot group, clean your barrel, try another brand for 3-5 shots, repeat...Good luck.

[Kaiser Hirsch]

I think what we'll need to do is spend a goog few days trying diffrerent things. Another question does anybody know how much varience is there in shots when the barrel starts getting warm. Do they rise or fall? The important thing though is that the buck goes down.

[DocHolladay]

When my barrel gets warm I start getting wild errant bullets. They may be high, they maybe low, they maybe left, they maybe right. You should be able to get in 3-5 shots and clean the barrel and not have to worry about your barrel over heating. If you want to do as a competition shooter does, you can shoot one, clean the barrel, shoot another, repeat. That should give your barrel time to cool off inbetween shots and also let you make a good shot with a clean barrel once season starts.

I sight my rifle in with a dirty barrel. I'll clean the rifle really good, put a shot down range to dirty up the barrel and then start sighting in. Once I have the groups I am happy with, I take and clean my rifle really good, then put one more down range before heading to the house. Once it starts getting close to season, I will go and check my sights one more time to make sure everything is still on, clean it again, put one more down range to dirty up the barrel and I am happy. Its up to the shooter as to how they like it done.

[Kaiser Hirsch]

Thanks guys.
The info will help make a decision on what to try and what to use. Tried to get out to the range today, bugs are real bad up hear right now lasted all of 15 mins. and called it quits.