Fur (Fox) Friendly .270 90grHP load?

RustyD02359 · 01-22-2008, 07:26 AM

Just wondering if it is possible to load an easier hitting Varmint round to save the fur on Fox? I usually shoot IMR4350 55g-57r loads (also 4864)which is great for yotes cause bullet rarely exits. So what would be minimum I could use to get my 90 gr Sierra HP to expand like it should but try to minimize exit holes?

devil dog · 01-22-2008, 09:20 AM

You could experiment with reduced loads to slow the velocity and expansion, range and accuracy will sufer to some extent, you could try cast bullits, would be enough to kill and if it did exit it wouldnt be much bigger than the entrance.My thoughts are, as thin skinned and small size animal, a 270 is too much gun if your not wanting to destroy the pelt.

Pavomesa · 01-22-2008, 10:30 AM

You've got a serious mismatch with gun and prey if you want to save a pelt. I've seen 270s with cast bullets leave an exit wound you can stick your head into. I think a 22 Mag would be about what you want...or one of the hot .224s like a 223 shooting FMJs. But it's going to be hard to keep a 270 from just cutting the little fox in half.

Ridge Runner · 01-22-2008, 02:42 PM

any centerfire over 17 cal will turn a fox inside out, I like the 22 wmr for fox's.
RR

RustyD02359 · 01-23-2008, 07:18 AM

I was hoping to get lucky but I am hunting coyotes and fox are incdental. I pass some but some I just have to shoot.

Pavomesa · 01-23-2008, 09:59 AM

Rusty, going to lighter bullets is going the wrong way if you want to try and avoid their explosive impact. You might find a heavy jacketed 150 gr bullet that would go through these light animals without doing much damage. A 270 is just not a great gun for saving the pelts.

RustyD02359 · 01-23-2008, 10:20 AM

Yeah, I might have to try some of my big bullets.

goatbrother · 01-23-2008, 01:50 PM

Boy, I don't know, the 270 is a lot of gun for a fox, it's a lot of gun for coyote too. I've only killed two coyote with 270, one a broadside shot at about 100 yds with 150 Hornady blew an 8" hole in the far side, not fur friendly. A 22 Hornet might be good or 17 Rem. Or a rimfire.

RustyD02359 · 01-23-2008, 02:53 PM

.90 gr HP work great for Big Eastern Coyotes. I have no exits so far.

Pavomesa · 01-23-2008, 03:35 PM

If you're getting no exits with 90 gr, then it's totally blowing up inside, although I can hardly believe it's not still exiting. At any rate, your problem seems to be solved.