Is .270 win too big of a round for varmint eradication?

Question

.270 win shot from a Remington 7600 w/ 12 x 50mm scope.

The round is a 130 grain sierra.

Sorry, Federal 130 grain sierra soft point Gameking.

Oh, and the varmints would be like beavers, small coyotes, desert rats, and maybe a cougar.

Answer 1

a 130 gr btsp will blow the head off of all those animals u listed the gun and ammo are suitable for all of em but i would suggest a smaller caliber for the beaver and desert rat maybe a 22-250 , 220 swift, 218 bee, 243 , 25-06 somethin small 25 or smaller would be best but if u have no concern on the damge of the hide then blow the things up with ur 270 but i recomend a different bullet a 130 sierra gameking BTSP wil not expand on the smaller animals u need a 130gr or 150 gr HP in the federal its called a TripleShok and in the remington it comes in Corelokt Hp but i suggest the federal or better yet use a hornady SST bullet it will blow up on impact for a fast kill and if u need anymore suggestions just email me at [e-mail] i handle ammo specs for a large retail gun store in texas so im pretty knowledgable

Answer 2

It's a bit more than you need, obviously, but if your shoulder and bank account don't mind, so what? Go ahead and use your 270, though you could load with a more appropriate bullet for most of the critters you listed.
I'm assuming you have the 270 and nothing a little smaller. If by some chance you're contemplating buying the rifle instead, you should consider something more like the old 257 Bob, which will do nicely for those animals and not be too small for deer.

Answer 3

Not at all, just use varmint bullets like the Sierra 90gr varminter or the smallest you can get hold of.
You don’t need the big game bullets.

D58

In my state beavers are a nuisance and can be shot year round.


Hunting with Rifle, Pistol, Muzzle loader and Bow for over 3 decades.
Reloading Rifle, Pistol and shotgun for over 3 decades.

Answer 4

The best all around varmint gun is the .223. But the 270 will make short order of it as well. LOL!! You can purchase specific varmint rounds for the 270 if you wish. Though i did find a ltl gun that i think you might actually want to check out, and the cost? Is really good!!! look at the R223HB. I think you just might like it, especially what you are wanting to use it for.

http://www.rossiusa.com/whatsnew/HeavyBarrelRifles.cfm

Answer 5

It depends what varmints you are shooting. A .270 is a little big for squirrels and rabbits. If you use a small bullet, you can hunt coyote, bobcat, and otehr big varmints. It could be good for long range varmint hunting like woodchucks and prairie dogs.

Answer 6

As long as you don't plan to eat them.... a .270 will leave you nothing but a big red patch on the ground with a few chunks here and there. Have you seen the slow motion pics of guys hunting prairie dogs? Those things explode You get a head chunks a side chunk and another side chunk and a whole bunch of stuff that is just vaporized.

Answer 7

The .270, in my opinion, is the most versitle cartridge availible. Guys and gals use it to hunt varmints, deer, black bear and even elk. I bet a few moose have been droped by a .270 as well.

Answer 8

I use an 8mm Mauser so your 270 would be considered a little puny in comparison but if it does the job and makes you happy go for it.

Answer 9

Well if the purpose is eradication then no round would be to big.....
If your hunting then maybe a .223 or .22-250

Answer 10

No cartridge is too big for varmints, in fact, the more splatter, the better