400 yds with a 270 is pretty ambitious. I would definately go with one of the 150gr SPBT's pushed as close to 3000 fps as possible.

To be honest, I would not take a 400 yd shot with my 160gr SPBT 7mm Rem Mag @ 3000 fps.

The biggest problem with an elk is that they require a second shot more times than not. Even with a properly placed broadside heart lung shot. At 400 yds if the bull takes to running, you could find your self in deep trouble - as in the bottom of a deep canyon (and then you will know where the term the valley of the shadow of death came from).

If you do it - bring a fork.

Dsquared

DRH1175: THis load is from the "Barnes Reloading Manual Number 3" .270 Win. Barnes 150 gr. XFB RL-22 MIN: 52.0 grs 2808 f/s; MAX: 56.0 grs. 3024 f/s. This data will work withBarnes 150 gr. TSX; start at MIN and watch for pressure signs. Go to www.barnesbullets.com for informationabout loading TSX bullets. Good luck.

I used the 130-grain Nosler partition jacket for all deer, and the 150 NPJ for heavier stuff like elk and caribou. The 160 NPJ is a great heavy game bullet, but I prefer a sharp nose profile.

I don't think I would use it for elk, but my favorite load for my 270 is 55 gr of IMR4350 behind a Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet. This load has accounted for numerous whitetails from point blank out to around 300 yds. and for 2 mulies - one at about 250 yds and another at a laser ranged 437 yds.
For elk however, I would probably go will a sturdier bullet and try to keep my shots under about 250 yds.

DING,DING! We should be hunting partners!

I just finished the first hitch of mule deer hunting with the 270. I didn't have time to work up a load but you can't go wrong with the 130 grain Federal Fusion loads. I was really impressed with their performance. They list them as a good bullet for deer and elk. Its a bonded core bullet. I hit seven Mukle deer and got seven one shot kills. As far as reloads though, I would need look no further than the Nosler Partition. 130 for deer, 150 for elk. I may try these in the new 270 WSM that I ordered today.

One of the most over looked bullets for the money and great preformance is the 130 grain Remington Bronze point. You can pay three times the price and get caught up in fancy slogans but the old Bronze point just keeps going.

True . . . I know folks who have used nothing else for 25 years in their .270's. Good bullet for lung shots - not so hot for the shoulders.

The full size .270 cartridges deliver high velocity with big game hunting weight bullets, and since kinetic energy is basically a function of bullet weight times velocity squared, these high velocities mean that there is plenty of downrange energy to initiate bullet expansion and inflict fatal damage on the target.
High velocity also makes for flat trajectory and an extended maximum point blank range (MPBR), which makes accurate bullet placement easier. And bullet placement is always the most important factor in killing power.
The good sectional density (SD) of the popular 130, 140, and 150 grain bullets also contributes to the cartridges' killing power. To kill quickly a bullet must penetrate deep into an animal's vitals, and sectional density is an important factor in penetration (as, of course, is adequate bullet design).
The 130 grain .270 bullet has a SD of .242. This is identical to the 100 grain .243 bullet (also noted for deep penetration) and similar to the 140 grain 7mm and 165 grain .30 caliber bullets. It is considerably superior to the 150 grain .30 caliber bullet (SD .226) to which the 130 grain .270 load is often mistakenly compared.
The 140 grain .270 bullet has a SD of .261. This is similar to the 120 grain .25 caliber, 129 grain 6.5mm, and 170 grain .30 caliber bullets.
The 150 grain .270 bullet has a SD of .279. This is similar to other bullets famous for deep penetration such as the 160 grain 7mm bullet, the 180 grain .30 caliber bullet, and the 250 grain .35 caliber bullet.
The long 160 grain bullet has a SD of .298. This is comparable to the heavy 175 grain 7mm bullet, 200 grain .30 bullet, or 220 grain 8mm bullet. According to the Nosler Reloading Guide this bullet can be driven to over 2800 fps in the standard .270 Winchester or 3100 fps in the .270 Weatherby Magnum. Zowie!
Perhaps these figures and comparisons, when coupled with the high velocity and excellent down range energy delivered by all of the .270 cartridges, begin to explain their excellent killing power.

RH - I agree completely. Although I have a rather large gun collection, if hard times hit I would sell them all except for my .270 AI and a .22 CF rifle (probably a .22-250 AI). I currently have a string of one shot kills on elk going for nine animals now - all either dropped in their tracks or were on the ground in under two seconds - with the 130 Swift Scirocco. At 3375 fps MV, this sleek projectile can make 1,000 yards and still be just above the majic 2,000 fps impact velocity. Not that I would ever shoot this far. But my 7 STW and .300 Win Mag just sit in the gun cabinet most of the time.