.270 for Plains Game?

[375 Ruger Fan]

A 270 is fine for PG. I'd go with a 140 or 150 gr swift A-Frame. As a side note, my Montana elk hunting guide and good friend lists a 270 as an acceptable caliber for elk hunts, so it should be good for PG up to Kudu size.

 

[IvW]

You can use your 270 Win, however it is on the marginal side for the larger plains game in Africa. This would be more so when hunting in the bushveld as opposed to hunting in more open areas. The 270 is a wonderful cartridge but lacks the bullet weight and sectional density of slightly bigger calibers(7mm-170gr+, .308-180 gr+, 338-250gr+, 375 300gr plus). It also has high muzzle velocity which could cause problems when used at closer range on larger game with a non premium bullet.

Personally I would suggest a 7x57mm with 170gr bullets as a minimum.

The 338 Calibers are marvelous all round calibers and probably better than the 375 H&H if you plan on only shooting PG, especially when shooting 250 or heavier bullets.

Having said that, the best rifle to bring is the one you are accustomed to especially if your safari is close at hand. I would steer away from the Nosler partition though, rather find a premium hunting bullet of at least 150 grains.

With careful shot placement you will be able to hunt all the plains game species but bear in mind you will be limiting yourself as to the shots you can take. I would not take a quartering frontal shot at a big blue wildebeest for example if in the bush and using Nosler partitions, with a good broadside presentation you should be fine.

If you can discipline yourself to taking only well presented shots and no marginal ones, you should be fine, if not, then get something bigger.

Legally you can hunt up to and including Eland in South Africa, Giraffe requires a minimum of .375. I know many Giraffe are hunted with smaller calibers but that is the current legal requirement.

As always first shot placement is the key.

Minimum calibers for rifle hunting
CHAPTER4
CATEGORIES OF HUNTING
21. The following norms apply to minimum rifle calibers for the hunting of different categories of wild
animals-
( a) .22 or 5.56mm rimfire rifle for the hunting of-
(i) furred game up to and including the size of rock hyrax; and
(ii) feathered game;
(b) .22 or 5.56mm centre fire rifle for the hunting of furred game up to and including the size of
springbok;
(c) .270 or 7mm rifle for the hunting of-
(i) furred game larger than springbuck, up to and including eland, but excluding dangerous
game or giraffe; and
(ii) ostrich; and
(d) .375 H&H Magnum or larger caliber for the hunting of-
(i) giraffe;
(ii) dangerous game; and
(iii) pachyderms, provided that the bullet must be of full metal jacket (solid) or monolithic solid
construction.

 

[PeteG]

Yes!
It will be fine. If you can use a 150gr partition, all the better in my opinion.
Get it right, shoot it often and bring it out here.
I doubt any ph will question your choice of caliber.

 

[Ernie Shipman]

I pretty much agree with the thoughts expressed here. On my 1st safari, the PH had a 270 as a loaner rifle for plains game. On my 2nd safari I mentioned to my PH (different outfitter) that I was thinking of a 270 barrel for my Merkel Helix 9.3x62. He was Very enthusiastic - he highly recommends the 270.
I want the 270 to do put in more trigger time. VERY mild to shoot & it will encourage you to shoot ore & develop your skills more... just my 2 rands worth...

 

[johnnyblues]

I ll let you know in several weeks. I m using 140 grain accubonds on PG. Gun shoots sun minute groups with them. If I do my job my PH said we will be fine.

 

[Shootist43]

IMHO a 270 is adequate but not optimal. I took two guns a 6.5 x 55 for Impala sized game and a 35 Whelen for the larger stuff. The perfect broadside shot is not always available. Proper shot placement is a requirement regardless of the caliber used.

 

[billc]

It is more then enough gun to hunt Africa. I would tell you to try the barnes vortex ammo and is really good factory ammo.

The barnes ttsx has proven to be one of the top bullets out there. I would bet if your gun shots nolser well the barnes will even shot better.

A ph would much rather have you shot a 270 well over a 338 that makes you flinch and you shot only ok with. Big guns are not needed to hunt Africa unless your hunting dangerous game.

 

[Graham Hunter]

I thought the 9.3 was legal in SA for Buff.

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

Your .270 Win is perfect. No question of it not being enough gun for animals up to blue wildebeest size. I've recently witnessed two of our cull hunters shooting Nosler Partitions and in my opinion is great for the larger animals you'll be hunting with your .270.

 

[CAustin]

Yes and yes. The 270 is fine and by all means buy yourself a new rifle.

 

[bilmcc]

I'll get right to the point here, is .270 Winchester enough gun for plains game up to and including wildebeest? Obviously I'd use 150gr Nosler Partitions if I were to take my .270, but I'm open to buying a new rifle and putting in the time between now and whenever I get to go to know it like I do my .270.

Should I make the move to .300 Win Mag? .338 Federal for similar power to the .270 but larger bullets? Or just bite the bullet and get a .375, probably something in .375 Ruger for me?

I'm eager to hear your responses.

I did my safari with a 375 H&H for buffalo and 270 Win for everything else up to kudu. My only mistake was to toss in some SST. 150GR Nosler Partitions worked just fine.

 

[gizmo]

Good bullet and good shot placement, good to go. I took all my pg on my trip with my 270.

 

[MarkCZ]

270 no problem. I have used mine on 2 African trips Warthog, Gemsbok, Kudu etc. I used 150 grn Speer Grand Slams very good bullet but wouldn't hesitate to use Partitions.
Markcz

 

[Michael Dean]

You can purchase 270 caliber, 150 grain Swift A Frame ammunition which is a perfect load for plains game. The Nosler partition will get the job done, I shoot the 168 grain Partition Long range in my 7x57 Mauser. Either bullet, in the 150-170 range will work for you. I just have a preference for the A Frame because it retains 95% plus of it's weight, expands well and has excellent penetration.

 

[Dr Ray]

I'll get right to the point here, is .270 Winchester enough gun for plains game up to and including wildebeest? Obviously I'd use 150gr Nosler Partitions if I were to take my .270, but I'm open to buying a new rifle and putting in the time between now and whenever I get to go to know it like I do my .270.

Should I make the move to .300 Win Mag? .338 Federal for similar power to the .270 but larger bullets? Or just bite the bullet and get a .375, probably something in .375 Ruger for me?

I'm eager to hear your responses.

270 is my favorite caliber. However, you might find that for angling shots, a more powerful cartridge is warranted.
I suggest going to the 300 Winchester magnum for that extra power etc. it's better to have a more powerful rifle when a trophy of your lifetime presents especially if the shot presented is other than perfect.

 

[JakeH]

270 is my favorite caliber. However, you might find that for angling shots, a more powerful cartridge is warranted.
I suggest going to the 300 Winchester magnum for that extra power etc. it's better to have a more powerful rifle when a trophy of your lifetime presents especially if the shot presented is other than perfect.

This is partially my thought process. While I'm glad to hear my Steyr is more than capable of doing what I need it to, a little extra never hurt anything, right?

 

[Velo Dog]

Hello JakeH,

Personally, I favor a bit "more gun" than some folks do.
Nonetheless, the .270 Winchester / 150 gr Nosler Partition would be IMO, a pretty good combination for non-dangerous game, such as you intend to hunt.
I no longer own a .270, (instead now favoring the .30-06 but that is one of my many character flaws, not yours, haha).
Anyway, in the past I have hunted here in Alaska with one and found that 150 grain soft points, virtually always pass clear through both deer and caribou on broadside shots.
Even softer ones than the Nosler (150 gr Hornady spire point) passed clear through but, 130 grainers typically did not pass through large bull caribou.
The old NP is somewhat misunderstood in these super tough, premium bullet times we're definitely enjoying today.
The NP was not intended to give the "perfect mushroom" except at low velocity, (such as for longer shots on game animals).

Even though I believe the Swift A-Frame is the very best of the best premium soft nosed bullets available nowadays, I do like the Nosler Partition and have hunted non-dangerous game with it in Alaska, (more than one caliber rifles) as well as in Africa for so called plains with the .375 / 300 gr NP.
The NP has always worked perfectly for me, according to what it was designed to do, IE: The front end deforms violently on impact, even flying apart if striking at high velocity, and tail end holds together then, drilling a deep path through the vitals and usually out the other side of the animal - blood out, air in).
All that being said, conversely if I was to hunt buffalo with a .375 H&H (is there any other kind of .375? lol), I would definitely not choose the NP for my all important first shot.
For that, I'd definitely want a 300 grain A-Frame.
However in the first place, I'd want to use a .40 or more to hunt buffalo with anyway, (because I'm an OCD weirdo).

Parting Shot, as it were;
If you cannot find factory loaded (Federal brand) Swift A-Frame bullets for your .270, just continue on with your 150 grain Nosler Partitions and I predict you will have a wonderful hunting trip to Africa with a lot of happy surprises and no unhappy ones.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

This is partially my thought process. While I'm glad to hear my Steyr is more than capable of doing what I need it to, a little extra never hurt anything, right?

I'll echo what many if not all have said that your .270 fed with the right bullets will get the job done. I am a long time fan of the Nosler Partition and I wouldn't expect you to have a problem with them at all. But I do prefer the more modern high weight retaining bullets.

But if you just want to buy another rifle, you need not make up reasons for "needing" to do so around these parts. We'll happily play the role of rifle addiction enabler!

If you're looking to the future, I can't think of a better two rifle battery than a .300WM paired with either a .375H&H or one of the .416's.

 

[Nyati]

Your .270 will be fine, I am partial to the Swift AFrame bullets.

 

[greyfox]

My son used his 270 - Impala, Zebra, and Duiker - all one shot kills. He used my handloaded 130 Noslers, no issues at all.
I tried to talk him into 150s but he was adamant and it's his rifle - sometimes father does NOT always know best!!

Also, I shot his over the chronograph, along with my 7mm Rem Mag - and if I was doing it again, i'd get a 270 (or a 280... or a 275 Rigby....)