270 Winchester Ballistics Calculator
Select a common 270 Winchester load below to generate a full ballistics table, or use the calculator with your own data.
Popular 270 Winchester Load Presets
140gr Nosler AccuBond LR
- Muzzle Velocity: 2890 fps
- BC (G1): 0.496
- Use: Long range hunting
150gr Nosler Partition
- Muzzle Velocity: 2800 fps
- BC (G1): 0.466
- Use: Elk & large game
270 Winchester Drop Chart — Reference Data
140gr Nosler AccuBond LR — 2890 fps MV — 100 Yard Zero
| Range (yds) | Drop (in) | MOA | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0.0 | -0.0 | 2700 | 2266 |
| 200 | -3.3 | 1.6 | 2519 | 1972 |
| 300 | -12.0 | 3.8 | 2344 | 1708 |
| 400 | -27.1 | 6.5 | 2177 | 1473 |
| 500 | -49.6 | 9.5 | 2016 | 1263 |
| 600 | -80.6 | 12.8 | 1863 | 1078 |
| 700 | -121.7 | 16.6 | 1717 | 917 |
| 800 | -174.6 | 20.8 | 1581 | 777 |
| 900 | -241.4 | 25.6 | 1455 | 658 |
| 1000 | -324.7 | 31.0 | 1341 | 559 |
*Reference data calculated at sea level, 59°F, 50% humidity, no wind.
270 Winchester Ballistic Performance
Trajectory & Wind Drift
The 270 Winchester is renowned for its flat-shooting performance with 130-140gr bullets at 2950-3060 fps. The 140gr AccuBond LR drops approximately 320 inches at 1000 yards with a 100-yard zero. Wind drift is noticeably less than the 308 Winchester at similar distances due to the higher velocity and decent ballistic coefficients.
Energy & Terminal Performance
The 270 Winchester retains over 1200 ft-lb of energy at 500 yards with 140gr loads, making it excellent for open-country hunting where flat trajectory matters most. Effective on deer, antelope, and elk with appropriate bullet selection. The 150gr Partition provides deeper penetration for larger game while maintaining respectable velocity.
270 Winchester FAQ
What is the effective range of 270 Winchester?
With 140gr AccuBond LR bullets at 2950 fps, the 270 Winchester remains supersonic past 1000 yards. For hunting, most shooters consider 500-600 yards the practical limit with proper bullet selection and marksmanship, where the cartridge still delivers over 1000 ft-lb of energy.
Is 270 Winchester good for elk?
Yes, with 150gr bonded or partition bullets the 270 Winchester is effective on elk at typical hunting distances. It delivers over 1500 ft-lb of energy at 300 yards with the 150gr Nosler Partition. For a detailed comparison with another popular elk cartridge, see our 270 Win vs 30-06 comparison.
How does 270 Winchester compare to 6.5 Creedmoor?
The 270 Winchester has more energy and a flatter trajectory with light bullets, while 6.5 Creedmoor offers better ballistic coefficients for its weight class and significantly less recoil. For deer and open-country hunting the 270 has a slight edge; for target shooting and competition the 6.5 CM is preferred. See our 270 Win vs 6.5 CM comparison.
How much does a 270 Winchester bullet drop at 500 yards?
With a 140gr Nosler AccuBond LR at 2950 fps and a 100-yard zero, the 270 Winchester drops approximately 35 inches at 500 yards under standard atmospheric conditions. This requires roughly 6.7 MOA of scope adjustment. Use the calculator above for your specific load and conditions.
Related Comparisons
See how 270 Winchester stacks up against other popular calibers.
Manufacturer Resources
Verify ballistic coefficients and load data from the bullet manufacturers:
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