12 of 23 .270 WSM factory loads carry 1,200 ft·lb and expansion velocity for black bear; the best reach 700 yd (Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range 150 gr AccuBond Long Range). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler Trophy Grade Long Range 150 gr AccuBond Long Range | 150 | 700 | 3,050 | 1,652 | yes |
| Federal 150 gr Fusion | 150 | 650 | 3,060 | 1,548 | yes |
| Hornady Precision Hunter 145 gr ELD-X | 145 | 650 | 3,100 | 1,579 | yes |
| Federal 136 gr Terminal Ascent | 136 | 600 | 3,240 | 1,504 | yes |
| Federal 130 gr Trophy Copper | 130 | 550 | 3,280 | 1,402 | yes |
| Nosler Expansion Tip 130 gr E-Tip | 130 | 550 | 3,200 | 1,393 | yes |
| Nosler Trophy Grade 140 gr AccuBond | 140 | 550 | 3,100 | 1,375 | yes |
| Barnes VOR-TX 140 gr TTSX BT | 140 | 500 | 3,135 | 1,257 | yes |
| Winchester Copper Impact 130 gr Copper Extreme Point | 130 | 500 | 3,215 | 1,299 | yes |
| Hornady Outfitter 130 gr CX | 130 | 450 | 3,150 | 1,196 | yes |
| Norma 150 gr Oryx | 150 | 450 | 3,084 | 1,117 | yes |
| Winchester Power Max Bonded 130 gr Bonded Protected Hollow Point | 130 | 450 | 3,275 | 1,098 | yes |
| Federal 140 gr Berger Hybrid Hunter | 140 | wrong bullet | 3,200 | 1,698 | behind the shoulder only |
| Browning 130 gr Max Point Polymer Tip | 130 | wrong bullet | 3,275 | 1,445 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 140 gr Tipstrike | 140 | wrong bullet | 3,117 | 1,443 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester Deer Season XP 130 gr Extreme Point | 130 | wrong bullet | 3,275 | 1,445 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 150 gr Ballistic Silvertip | 150 | wrong bullet | 3,120 | 1,521 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 130 gr Ballistic Silvertip | 130 | wrong bullet | 3,275 | 1,396 | behind the shoulder only |
| Federal 130 gr Power-Shok JSP | 130 | wrong bullet | 3,250 | 1,173 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 130 gr Whitetail SP | 130 | wrong bullet | 3,199 | 1,103 | behind the shoulder only |
| Remington 130 gr Pointed Soft Point Core-Lokt | 130 | wrong bullet | 3,285 | 1,091 | behind the shoulder only |
| Winchester 150 gr Power-Point | 150 | wrong bullet | 3,150 | 1,070 | behind the shoulder only |
| Norma 156 gr Vulkan | 156 | wrong bullet | 2,986 | 914 | behind the shoulder only |
Fat and hair hide the vitals: aim 4–5″ behind the shoulder and a touch high. Partition / bonded / monolithic. Floor used: 1,200 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: www.themeateater.com, www.oneoutdoors.org.