Well, it's looking like I'm gonna start getting into some offseason predator hunting. I live in Clovis NM where it's regularly windy enough to really effect the 17hmr, .204, and 223 that I already have. As I was thinking about maybe getting a 243 for those windy days, I had the idea to load one of my. .270s with light barnes bullets for the windy days. I have a very lightweight custom .270win (7.1 lbs scoped) that isn't much fun to shoot with 130 gr loads. I though a 95 or 110 grain load might be a great predator round as well as a great med game load that wouldn't kill as bad with recoil. I was curious what you guys thought. Thanks.

Wouldn't you have enough clothes on in nm this time of year to not feel it?

Lol the main reason for trying is more the smaller bullet for coyotes, etc than recoil but it's supposed to be what the wife uses too on backpacking hunts and she wants nothing to do with it haha. I figured maybe this way I get a varmint rifle and she wouldn't be as afraid of the recoil. We have 2 other 270wins other than this one that all shoot 130+ grainers already.

Any other opinions? Will probably order some bullets today.

I'd go with the slightly heavier bullet, on the off chance of needing more impact energy on something given the chance.

Been shooting 270's since the early early 1970's and never felt the need, but with the advent of better bullets I'd still lean towards the 110's...and have started picking up older 100gr SP's in Speer out of estate sales etc for just this same job. An old friend always shot 270 factory 100gr'ers with excellent success...but then he's a very recoil sensitive and small framed guy getting older these days too....and an excellent hunter. Keep us posted on how your handloads work out.
Ron

Thanks Ron. Will do.

I load Hornady VMAX 110's for my .270, and shoot deer, hogs plus everything in the predator/varmint category here in Central Texas with them, and they are deadly effective.

For varmints and coyotes try the Sierra 90 gr JHP. Exceptionally accurate in the 270s I've tried it in. The BC is low but can push 3500 fps and the recoil is low.

If you are still looking at the 95 TTSX, it should be ideal even at extended range. It was made for the 6.8 so the minimum opening speed is around 1600 fps.

That Vmax 110 sounds like just the thing for predator hunting, though they probably won't punch all the way through a big pig. But, if I were to use my 270 for predator hunting, I'd just stay with my standard hunting load, which is a 130 gr Nosler BT. Or maybe...that new 110 gr Accubond, which I think I remember having a MV of near 3500 (I think, but should go check). The Vmax would be much cheaper, but not as tough.

Not much fun to shoot? its a .270.... The 110s are good bullets but you wont notice the difference in recoil

I shoot an old savage .270win that weighs right about the same

I would think recoil has to be less. About the same powder and 20gr less bullet. I'm not expecting it to kick like a 243 now but a little less would be nice. That gun kicks like a mule with 130s pushed to 3050...and no I'm not recoil sensitive. Just know that that rifle will bruise me during load development and kicks hard enough that my wife doesn't want to hunt with it. The only rifle I have with more recoil is my 270wsm that doesn't have a break and pushes 140s at 3150.

Any Ya'll going to the DSC Show, look for Ray Sasser the Outdoor writer from the DMNews, and ask him about his experiences using a 270 & factory 100gr'ers growing up in Deep East Texas...and see if you can get him to comment on the differences in recoil 'tween the 100 & 130 gr'ers.

Ron

I'm not going to be able to make the DSC...what would he say?

It was the only way he could stand shooting the 270 he had been given, as I recall the conversation. Ray grew up in the Golden Triangle without a dad, dunno why, and is pretty much a self taught outdoorsman, who got into photography also at an early age....and why he has always made more effort at magazine covers & pictorial story's in the gun & fish rags than depend totally on the part time newpaper column. Neat guy too. Haven't seen him in a while though.
Ron

go with 100gr or 110gr, I have one .270 that is set up for 100, less recoil, still enough for deer or hogs.