Thread: 130gr or 140gr

I have recently got a howa 1500 2nd hand I was given a box of 140gr hornady super performance with it. With my last 270 I was shooting hornady white tale 130gr, what would be the major factors with the 2 different rounds would the 140 be better or the 130? I'm only shooting out to 300m 400m tops and mainly bush stalking.

Really which one shoots the best in your rifle and which one you like best. The superformance load is very good, and if I ever got caught short on my reloads, it was what Id buy. But the 10grs of weight won't make a significant difference.

I’d expect the 140 grainers to perform better on stags at distance.

Won't matter a hoot. They are a good,non fussy rifle( well mine is anyway) I was given some highland 130 GRN... Actually shot a few deer with them no fuss or bother which was surprising as thought would be mild loading. Go with what you have on hand and buy what you can get.

Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

I’d expect the 140 grainers to perform better on stags at distance.

So the higher the grains the more hitting power at rang, is what it take from what your saying

If that's the case what really would be the difference in the ammo for having different grn?

Bob, this difference in projectile weights may well be to do with different barrel twist rates, which is another rabbit hole in itself to go down..

My 2 cents:
(A) Bullet placement counts for a lot. Slip a 130/140 grainer in either the Central Computer or the Engine Room of what you're shoot'n, and it will hit the deck.

(B) If you could (Hypothetically) hand a deer a questionnaire after it had been hit by a well placed shot with either projectile (construction and speed being more or less equal)and ask it to fill it out, the answer would likely be:
I dunno mate, I'm dying, youre splitting hairs worrying about 10 grains

Well said Max . In theory the 140 might hold up better at range and might hit/ penertrate a bit better. Both will work and work fine. I've killed deer with 270 using projectiles from 110-170grns. All the venison tasted great.

Originally Posted by Bobthewannabehunter

If that's the case what really would be the difference in the ammo for having different grn?

The .270 is really well designed for the distances you are using it at. Most 270s are set up with barrels designed to shoot projectiles from 130 to 150 grains. For NZ conditions a good 130gr projectile going as fast as possible and giving you nearly the ability to just hold on the centre of a deer sized animal out too 300 meters is perfect. If you are going to be shooting a lot of bigger tougher animals then maybe a 150gr projectile is worth thinking about. But it has to be of the right construction to make a noticeable difference.
The more important factor is finding the one that shoots best in your individual rifle. And then stick with that. My experience has been that the Hornady ammo is very good and achieving good speed and the projectile works.
But the Winchester ammo, while of an older design. is quite ok too and countless deer have fallen too that.

I got given some of this a while back. And I was impressed with its accuracy and speed too.
https://broncos.co.nz/product/winche...0-130gr#828852

Originally Posted by Bobthewannabehunter

So the higher the grains the more hitting power at rang, is what it take from what your saying

Between the 130 and 140 I’d expect the slightly thicker copper jacket of the 140 grainer to control expansion better on chest shot heavy bodied deer at distance

You can expect full penetration of a deers chest to destroy vital organs, the 130 will do it, the 140 is just more likely to always do it

Originally Posted by whanahuia

The .270 is really well designed for the distances you are using it at. Most 270s are set up with barrels designed to shoot projectiles from 130 to 150 grains. For NZ conditions a good 130gr projectile going as fast as possible and giving you nearly the ability to just hold on the centre of a deer sized animal out too 300 meters is perfect. If you are going to be shooting a lot of bigger tougher animals then maybe a 150gr projectile is worth thinking about. But it has to be of the right construction to make a noticeable difference.
The more important factor is finding the one that shoots best in your individual rifle. And then stick with that. My experience has been that the Hornady ammo is very good and achieving good speed and the projectile works.
But the Winchester ammo, while of an older design. is quite ok too and countless deer have fallen too that.

I got given some of this a while back. And I was impressed with its accuracy and speed too.
https://broncos.co.nz/product/winche...0-130gr#828852

You would hope that Winchester ammo knocks stuff over at that price

Originally Posted by Max Headroom

Bob, this difference in projectile weights may well be to do with different barrel twist rates, which is another rabbit hole in itself to go down..

My 2 cents:
(A) Bullet placement counts for a lot. Slip a 130/140 grainer in either the Central Computer or the Engine Room of what you're shoot'n, and it will hit the deck.

(B) If you could (Hypothetically) hand a deer a questionnaire after it had been hit by a well placed shot with either projectile (construction and speed being more or less equal)and ask it to fill it out, the answer would likely be:
I dunno mate, I'm dying, youre splitting hairs worrying about 10 grains

Good to see you back, @Max Headroom!

I think most deer would want to be shot with the round that gives the highest chance of a quick, ethical kill. As most have said, that means the most accurate in your rifle, so try both.

If they're both similar, then I'd go with the Superformance. The higher BC and extra weight will give that bit more room for error especially at longer ranges or in the wind.

The SST projectiles in the Superformance ammo get a bit of bad press for blowing up, but in my experience they work okay if heavy-for-calibre and the 140 grainers were fine in my .270. If you were doing mostly close-quarters stuff then the Whitetail might be a better choice but it's probably splitting hairs.

Cost should only be an issue if cheaper ammo means you will practice more.

Originally Posted by Bobthewannabehunter

You would hope that Winchester ammo knocks stuff over at that price

Yeah. I was impressed with it. But not enough to go buy some myself.

Originally Posted by mopheadrob

Good to see you back, @Max Headroom!

I think most deer would want to be shot with the round that gives the highest chance of a quick, ethical kill. As most have said, that means the most accurate in your rifle, so try both.

If they're both similar, then I'd go with the Superformance. The higher BC and extra weight will give that bit more room for error especially at longer ranges or in the wind.

The SST projectiles in the Superformance ammo get a bit of bad press for blowing up, but in my experience they work okay if heavy-for-calibre and the 140 grainers were fine in my .270. If you were doing mostly close-quarters stuff then the Whitetail might be a better choice but it's probably splitting hairs.

Cost should only be an issue if cheaper ammo means you will practice more.

I'm looking at grabbing another box or 2 this week to sight in before heading off bush, but have just been looking at guncity for ammo and see they have soft point, polymer tip, soft point core lokt, soft point soft point power point, is this just fancy way to name bullets and they all do the same or do they make a difference?

Originally Posted by whanahuia

Yeah. I was impressed with it. But not enough to go buy some myself.

Don't blame you. What have you found to be a reliable round?