270 Win Load Development...Now What?

[Mark71]

Hi,

I'm new to reloading and although this is my first post I have enjoyed the information I have gathered through this forum.

I am working on developing a load for my Remington 270 using H4831SC and 130 grain Hornady Interlocks. I based my development and process in general on Dan Newberry's OCW instructions. I have tried to provide as much detailed information as possible to enable someone to provide some constructive feedback to assist me in moving forward.

With regard to the rifle, it has been free floated, glass bedded and it has a Trigger Tech trigger set at about 2 pounds. Even with these modifications it is not what I would call a great shooter. I have shot a variety of different types of factory ammo in this rifle which range in group size from 0.77" - 2.03". If I remember correctly the largest group size was actually with Federal Premium. The smallest was with the cheap Federal blue box but that was a 3 shot group...the 5 shot group opened up to 1.5 something. All that being said, I will fully admit I am no laser eye benchrest shooter, but I have shot sub MOA groups with my other rifles in 223, 22-250, 25-06 & 300 WM, so I don't think it's a loose trigger nut, but at this point I'm starting to seriously wonder. LOL

I started out at 56.0gr by backing off the max charge in the Hornady Manual (59.6gr) and working up to 59.6 in 0.4 gr increments. I loaded 3 rounds at each charge weight (10 charge weights for 30 rounds total). Bullets are seated 0.030" off the lands giving me a base to ogive measurement of 2.787".

I do not have velocity data to provide. I do own a MagnetoSpeed, but I did not install it for the OCW testing as I did not want to take the chance of having the bayonet attached to the barrel during testing. Based on the assumption that I saw an obvious node after testing, my plan was to then use the chronograph to collect velocity, ES & SD.

I've attached the two targets I used shooting the 30 rounds in a round robin fashion. The lowest charge weight starts on IMG-5804 and each target is numbered in blue ink 2 though 10 (1 was at 56.0gr and used as sighter/fouler shots). Rifle was cleaned before I started development.

To be honest I was hoping to see an obvious better group or string of groups, but based on my limited experience reading groups I am not seeing anything significant. Based on the OCW triangulation instructions my interpretation is that the three targets that come closest to hitting the same POI are 4, 5 & 6 (middle charge weight of 57.6gr) or possibly 5, 6 & 7 (middle charge weight of 58.0 gr).

I'm really not sure where to go from here. Some things I have considered are:
1) Load additional rounds at the two middle charge weights I have noted above and start playing with seating depth to see if the groups tighten up. I don't have specific measurements in front of me, but I probably have another 0.100" or so to go deeper into the case before I reach book C.O.L.

2) Maintain the current seating depth and try moving a little higher in charge weight (60.0gr & 60.4gr) to see if things tighten up. I've read that the 270 likes a charge weight of right around 60.0 grains with this powder.

3) Load one round of each of the 10 charge weights and shoot them over the MagnetoSpeed to gather velocity data to see if there are any obvious velocity flat spots indicating a node.

Sorry for the long post...just want to provide as much information as possible to assist you experts out there. I appreciate any and all feedback.

Mark

 

[JFrank]

We use a 270 wsm ( which we find is pretty close to a straight 270 win) anyway.. using the H4831sc under both 130 gr and 140 gr Nosler AB we find the 140’s shoot the best over 58.6 gr of powder.

 

[Mark71]

We use a 270 wsm ( which we find is pretty close to a straight 270 win) anyway.. using the H4831sc under both 130 gr and 140 gr Nosler AB we find the 140’s shoot the best under 58.6 gr of powder.

Thanks SPJ,

I have heard a lot of guys are going towards 140 and 150 grain bullets for the 270.

If I can't dial mine in with 130's I may try that route.

 

[JFrank]

Thanks SPJ,

I have heard a lot of guys are going towards 140 and 150 grain bullets for the 270.

If I can't dial mine in with 130's I may try that route.

H4350 under a 130 works also

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

I have 4 270 win. My family has another 8. Mostly model 70 but couple rem 700s.

Your cheap federal blue box 130s being accurate is pretty much what we have found.

Reloading for these what i hope for is a 3 shot group under an inch consistently. Occasionally 0.5 inch group. But under an inch consistently.

First thing would be to just do seating test.

0.015
0.030
0.045
0.060

Them i would scrap that powder and switch to another.

I've had really good luck with h4350, n555, RL26.

N555 is my new favorite. Very accurate and consistent with great speed.

With all that said.....

In every single rifle this load has been magic.

Zero signs of pressure in every rifle....

Peterson virgin brass
Absolute hammer 116 grain bullet
H4350 60.5 grains
Cci 200 primer
Coal 3.300
Neck tension 0.002

In 24 inch barrel i get 3500 fps
In 22 inch barrel i get 3350 fps

It has shrunk every single rifle down almost in half

Best are now 0.3 moa and worst are 0.75moa

 

[Gary in MD]

I don’t have my 270 Winchester anymore, but the rifle was very accurate for a stock hunting rifle. My best loads were with the 130 grain Nosler ballistic tips or Sierras spbt.
60.0 grains of H4831 was tops with 60 grains of RL 22 being just about as good.
60.0 grains of the H4831 and the 130 grain ballistic tips gave a muzzle velocity of 3030 fps. and was a deer killing SOB!

 

[dthomas]

I would do a seating depth test with 58 grains. Once you find a good seating depth then fine tune powder charge. If it still doesn't group try a different bullet or powder.

 

[Mark71]

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Before I change the seating depth I think I am going to try a couple of increased charge weights (60.0 & 60.4) to see how they group. Depending on how that looks I am going to play around with seating depths at 58 gr as dthomas suggested.

If none of the above shows improvement I'll try some H4350.

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

Also what brass are you using?

 

[dryhumor]

What type of rifle?
Barrel profile?
New cases?
Are you measuring COL to the tip or the ogive?

 

[Mark71]

What type of rifle?
Barrel profile?
New cases?
Are you measuring COL to the tip or the ogive?

Rifle: Remington 700
Barrel: I would say standard profile…definitely not a featherweight
Brass: once fired Federal from factory ammo. Could definitely be variances here. Even though it’s all Federal it’s definitely not from the same lot, but it’s what I had on hand.
Measurements: current seating depth is based on ogive measurement

 

[nmkid]

Many years ago my .270 load was 55.0 grains of H4831 with 130 gr. Sierra. To this day have no idea what the velocity was but, it shot little groups and killed many, many deer.

 

[Mark71]

Many years ago my .270 load was 55.0 grains of H4831 with 130 gr. Sierra. To this day have no idea what the velocity was but, it shot little groups and killed many, many deer.

I’m thinking about trying a 55 grain charge as well. The Nosler manual lists 55 gr as the most accurate load for this powder with 130 grain bullets.

So many things to try. Lol

 

[dryhumor]

The last time I was shooting my 270, I made a note on the target to go to seating depth. It was when I went horizontal with twice fired Peterson cases, 4350, and 130TTSX. I haven’t gotten back to that rifle yet… But, you have two groups in your photos of horizontal. One 56.4 and the other 59.? You might work seating on the higher one.

ETA After seeing your post, try the lower charge also. I went horizontal around 53.? With 4350.

 

[Mark71]

The last time I was shooting my 270, I made a note on the target to go to seating depth. It was when I went horizontal with twice fired Peterson cases, 4350, and 130TTSX. I haven’t gotten back to that rifle yet… But, you have two groups in your photos of horizontal. One 56.4 and the other 59.? You might work seating on the higher one.

Appreciate the comment. That was kind of my thoughts as well, but was looking to get some input from some more experienced folks.

I think both those charges have potential with some seating depth tweaking.

 

[K22]

Probably not what you want to hear but I'd take those 1.27 and 1.16 moa loads deer hunting without any concern at all.

 

[Mark71]

Probably not what you want to hear but I'd take those 1.27 and 1.16 moa loads deer hunting without any concern at all.

I hear ya, but i’m convinced there’s gotta be something better. Lol Been bit by the reloading bug I guess.

At the end of the day who knows, I may end up settling with those if I can’t dial something in tighter.

 

[K22]

I hear ya, but i’m convinced there’s gotta be something better. Lol Been bit by the reloading bug I guess.

At the end of the day who knows, I may end up settling with those if I can’t dial something in tighter.

From years of experience hunting, I've learned that when you fail to anchor a deer, it's not because you have a 1.25 moa load versus a 1/2 moa load. It's because of poor shot placement assuming you are using a bullet designed for big game.

However, I was as guilty as anyone pursuing that sub moa load for my deer rifles. I'm afraid is a common affliction amongst us reloaders.

 

[Mark71]

From years of experience hunting, I've learned that when you fail to anchor a deer, it's not because you have a 1.25 moa load versus a 1/2 moa load. It's because of poor shot placement assuming you are using a bullet designed for big game.

However, I was as guilty as anyone pursuing that sub moa load for my deer rifles. I'm afraid is a common affliction amongst us reloaders.

100% agree. I've shot numerous deer and a moose with this rig and none of them traveled more than 20 yards before piling up...some went nowhere and were dead before they hit the ground. Come to think of it, my best whitetail to date was taken with this rifle using factory ammo.

So, I have no concern about it's ability to do the job...just got it in my head it/I can do better. I'm fine with where it's at now even, but there's some demented part in my brain that keeps saying, "ya, but could it be better?"

 

[K22]

100% agree. I've shot numerous deer and a moose with this rig and none of them traveled more than 20 yards before piling up...some went nowhere and were dead before they hit the ground. Come to think of it, my best whitetail to date was taken with this rifle using factory ammo.

So, I have no concern about it's ability to do the job...just got it in my head it/I can do better. I'm fine with where it's at now even, but there's some demented part in my brain that keeps saying, "ya, but could it be better?"

Self-confession is good for the soul.

Most of us that reload have been there. In my enlightened old age, I came to the realization that the most significant limiting factor in making a "good" shoot is me.

Watch Ryan Cleckner's video on acceptable accuracy. He's former special operations sniper. It's a short video but very profound and has applications to hunting.