The .270 Winchester is one of the most versatile and effective hunting cartridges ever developed. Introduced in 1925 by Winchester, this cartridge quickly gained a reputation for flat shooting, high velocity, and excellent terminal performance on a variety of game species. Whether you’re hunting whitetail deer, elk, or pronghorn, the .270 Win. remains a staple among North American hunters.

With modern advancements in bullet technology, the .270 Winchester continues to be one of the most efficient long-range hunting cartridges. Even with the newer modern cartridges like 300 PRC, 6.5 PRC, and 7 PRC, the .270 still capitalizes on efficiency with BC, Barrel Life and terminal ballistics. Whether you need a long-range precision round, a lead-free option, or a budget-friendly choice, selecting the right ammunition can make all the difference in your next successful hunt.

Our Top Picks for .270 Winchester Ammunition

• Hornady ELD-X Precision Hunter .270 Winchester 145gr - Best Overall for Hunting at Distance
• Hornady Outfitter .270 Win 130gr CX - Best for Lead-Free Restricted Hunters
• Remington .270 Win 150gr SP Core-Lokt - Best for Medium Game Hunting Applications
• Sellier & Bellot .270 Win 150gr Soft Point - Best Budget Option for Hunting on a Budget

Best Overall .270 Winchester for Hunting at Distance: Hornady ELD-X Precision Hunter 145gr

The Hornady Precision Hunter 145gr ELD-X is the top choice for hunters who engage game at long distances. Featuring Hornady’s Heat Shield Tip and high ballistic coefficient, this round delivers unmatched accuracy, minimal wind drift, and devastating terminal performance at extended ranges.

Ballistic Data:

• Muzzle Velocity: ~2,970 fps
• Muzzle Energy: ~2,847 ft-lbs
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): ~0.536

Hornady ELD-X Precision Hunter .270 Winchester 145 Grain

Price: $51.90/p> Buy Now

Pros

• Superior ballistic coefficient for long-range accuracy
• Reliable expansion at both short and long distances
• Highly effective on medium to large game

Cons

• More expensive than standard soft point hunting rounds
• May be excessive for close-range hunting applications

Why We Selected This Product:

The Hornady 145gr ELD-X bullet is designed for hunters seeking a high-performance, long-range hunting projectile with superior ballistic efficiency. Featuring Hornady’s Heat Shield™ tip, the ELD-X (Extremely Low Drag – Expanding) bullet resists aerodynamic heating, maintaining a perfect open tip on the nose of a bullet for enhanced accuracy and a high ballistic coefficient. This design ensures minimal drag and a flatter trajectory, making it an excellent choice for precision shooting at extended distances.

Upon impact, the 145gr ELD-X delivers controlled expansion and deep penetration at both high and low velocities. Its InterLock® ring keeps the core and jacket together, ensuring high weight retention and effective energy transfer. Whether for medium- or long-range hunting, this bullet provides consistent, devastating terminal performance, making it a top choice for hunters pursuing big game in various conditions.

I personally use and love these ELD-X bullets for all of my long range shooting! Thus, this is why the Hornady Precision Hunter .270 Winchester 145gr ELD-X is a perfect all around cartridge for your next game harvest.

Best .270 Winchester for Lead-Free Restricted Hunters: Hornady Outfitter 130gr CX

For hunters in areas with lead-free restrictions, the Hornady Outfitter 130gr CX (Copper alloy eXpanding) bullet offers an excellent alternative without sacrificing performance. Designed for deep penetration and high weight retention, this monolithic copper bullet is perfect for taking down big game in various hunting conditions.

Ballistic Data:

• Muzzle Velocity: ~3,060 fps
• Muzzle Energy: ~2,704 ft-lbs
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): ~0.460

Hornady Outfitter 270 WIN 130gr CX

Price: $35.62

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Many misnomers have been tossed about with lead free copper ammunition, such as there being a dramatic change in ballistic efficiency between it and lead core ammunition of the same grain weight. With modern technology and ballisticians at ammunition companies working to make this not the case. You can trust that the monocore copper rounds will grant you the same reliability on target as its lead core counterpart! Thus, hunters battling lead free restrictions, looking for reliable lead-free ammunition that delivers lethal penetration on big game, the Hornady Outfitter .270 Win is an ideal solution.

Best .270 Winchester for Medium Game Hunting Applications: Remington 150gr SP Core-Lokt

The Remington Core-Lokt 150gr Soft Point (SP) is a proven hunting round with decades of real-world success. This bullet is optimized for medium-sized game like deer and hogs, providing controlled expansion and deep penetration to ensure quick and ethical kills.

Ballistic Data:

• Muzzle Velocity: ~2,850 fps
• Muzzle Energy: ~2,705 ft-lbs
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): ~0.261

Remington 270 Win 150gr Sp Core-Lokt 20/200 RPLREM27810_3 RPLREM27810_1 RPLREM27810_2 Remington 270 Win 150gr Sp Core-Lokt 20/200

Price: $29.59

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Pros

• Reliable expansion with the Core-Lokt design.
• Affordable and widely available.
• Proven performance on deer, hogs, and black bear.

Cons

• Lower ballistic coefficient limits extreme long-range use.
• More prone to meat damage on smaller game due to rapid expansion.

Why We Selected This Product:

Remington Core-Lokt ammunition is one of the most trusted and widely used hunting rounds in the world. Known for its signature "locked core" design, this soft-point bullet is engineered for controlled expansion and deep penetration, making it highly effective for hunting a wide range of game, from deer to elk. The Core-Lokt bullet features a tapered copper jacket that is mechanically bonded to the lead core, ensuring reliable weight retention and consistent performance in the field.

The Remington 150gr Core-Lokt is a legendary hunting round, offering consistent performance at an affordable price for medium game hunters.

Best Budget .270 Winchester for Hunting: Sellier & Bellot 150gr Soft Point

For hunters on a budget, the Sellier & Bellot 150gr Soft Point offers solid performance at an affordable price. This round features a classic soft point design, providing reliable expansion and terminal performance on deer, hogs, and similar-sized game.

• Muzzle Velocity: ~2,775 fps
• Muzzle Energy: ~2,567 ft-lbs
• Ballistic Coefficient (G1): ~0.348

Sellier & Bellot 270 Win 150gr Sp 20/400

19.59

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Pros

• Affordable without sacrificing effectiveness.
• Reliable expansion and energy transfer.
• Brass-cased and reloadable.

Cons

• Not optimized for extreme long-range engagements.
• Slightly lower consistency compared to premium hunting rounds.

Why We Selected This Product:

Sellier & Bellot Soft Point ammunition is a reliable choice for hunters seeking excellent accuracy and consistent terminal performance. Featuring a soft-point bullet design, this ammunition offers controlled expansion upon impact, creating deep wound channels while maintaining sufficient weight retention for effective energy transfer. The exposed lead tip ensures rapid expansion, making it ideal for medium to large game hunting.

The Sellier & Bellot 150gr Soft Point is a great option for budget-conscious hunters, delivering dependable performance without a high price tag.

Final Thoughts

The .270 Winchester remains a top choice for North American hunters, providing flat trajectories, powerful energy retention, and versatility across multiple game species. Choosing the right ammunition can make all the difference in the field.

• For long-range hunting, the Hornady Precision Hunter 145gr ELD-X is unmatched.
• For lead-free hunting, the Hornady Outfitter 130gr CX is the best option.
• For medium game hunting, the Remington 150gr Core-Lokt is a reliable performer.
• For budget-conscious hunters, the Sellier & Bellot 150gr Soft Point is an excellent choice.

With the right ammunition, the .270 Winchester will continue to be a go-to cartridge for hunters around the world.