energy chart

[pressman]

hello guys i have a 270 caliber rifle that i put a 26" sheilan barrel on by a very good gun smith.1-10 twist rate. I just hand loaded some test rounds
140 gr ballistic tips with 56gr of H4831. shot 4 shots from 100 yards that measure .375 group. the speed was around 3050 fps. my question is what should be my maxium range for killing mule deer. as far as energy goes? i don't know how to calculate that. i have killed them at 450 yrds with 130 gr bullets.

I am so glad i found this long range hunting forum. you guys are truely the best.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

That should get you to around 1000 yards or so. Put it in or behind the shoulder and you'll have your deer.

 

[Bravo 4]

Sorry '06, I think that is pushing it out a little too far.
While I would agree that it isn't energy levels that kill I do believe that a bullet should expand to wreak as much havoc as possible when it reaches it's target. Nosler recommends a minimum of 1600fps for their ballistic tips on impact to initiate expansion. According to JBM with the load given that is gonna be around 800yards-give or take for his altitude, temps, blah-blah-blah... Now I'm not saying a well placed BT at 1000 won't kill a deer, but you might as well be hitting them with a FMJ.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Well after I posted that, I did look at the ballistics and you are right about the velocity.

Kinda off this topic, but a few threads back was asked how far a .243 would kill deer, I said probly around 600-700 at the most, effectively. I was surprised to see a certain individual say 1000 is not out of the question, using a 95g NBT. Now run the numbers on that .243 at 1K and I just cant really believe that. I'd still pick a .270 at 1K then a little .243 w/95g NBT at 1K any day.