270 Win Load Development...Now What?

[KMart]

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

I have shot that load in the 270 and it is very accurate. I used the 55 grains and used their seating depth, then started moving the bullet out. You should find an accurate load quickly.

Mark71, you indicated the temp as -20 on the first target. Was that C or F? If it was F, you are a better man than than me.....or you are a lot younger.

 

[DGP4]

After all my experimenting with powders, I found that H4350 is by far the best for accuracy in my two hunting rifles. The next two powders for accuracy was W760 and RL19 in that order. The most accurate hunting bullets I have used are the Speer Grand Slam, both 130 and 140 grain. For accuracy, the Sierra 140 grain smks are the best. I have to say I never found that the Hornady interlocks shot well out of either of my rifles.

 

[Mark71]

I have shot that load in the 270 and it is very accurate. I used the 55 grains and used their seating depth, then started moving the bullet out. You should find an accurate load quickly.

Mark71, you indicated the temp as -20 on the first target. Was that C or F? If it was F, you are a better man than than me.....or you are a lot younger.

LOL...no that's my oversized degree symbol...it was -2C, which after a couple of hours was enough for me. As much as I love shooting -20 sitting at a bench trying to shoot accurately is more than I want to attempt.

 

[Mark71]

After all my experimenting with powders, I found that H4350 is by far the best for accuracy in my two hunting rifles. The next two powders for accuracy was W760 and RL19 in that order. The most accurate hunting bullets I have used are the Speer Grand Slam, both 130 and 140 grain. For accuracy, the Sierra 140 grain smks are the best. I have to say I never found that the Hornady interlocks shot well out of either of my rifles.

Good to know. I have some H4350, so I may give it a go as well to see how it compares.

Depending on how things go I have a box of 130 gr Partitions as well...I'll give them a try if nothing comes together with H4831 and the Interlocks.

 

[MikeT49]

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.

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 agree. Let me add, for that bullet, about as good as you can get for accuracy. Forget the Hornady's, try the Partitions. Just remember, they are hunting bullets, not target bullets. That being said, in most 270s they should shoot well under an inch. My load is 59.5 H4831SC, BR2s, WW brass, .010 off, easy .75 moa. Work your way up to about 60 grains. IMHO, the 270 likes to be leaned on a bit for best accuracy. If the 4831SC doesn't get you where you want, another load to try is ~49 grains of IMR4064. Work up to that load. It's slower, but can be very accurate.
On rare occasions a 270 will not shoot 130s satisfactorily. Most of those will shoot 150s very well. If you have any RL 26, try it with150s (Not Hornadys). You will get the old girl to shoot approaching 270WSM velocity with superb hunting accuracy.
If Sierra still made 90 gr HPs, it would be the bullet to test to see if your 270 can shoot. Back in the day, this was a quick way to check a 270. Shoot me a PM and I'll send you some of them to play with.
On a final note, I have burned out both a 270 and a 243 barrel by trying to get bench rest accuracy out of a hunting tool. I have to admit, it was fun, but components were readily available, not so much today. Welcome aboard the ramp on the way to the rabbit hole. Mike

 

[CaptainMal]

Been killing deer to 600 yards for decades with a couple 270's. 55 gr of IMR 4350 and 140 gr. regular or tipped Hornady's.

DRW most always if hit high in the shoulder. No reason to try anything else for me.

 

[K22]

On a final note, I have burned out both a 270 and a 243 barrel by trying to get bench rest accuracy out of a hunting tool. I have to admit, it was fun, but components were readily available, not so much today. Welcome aboard the ramp on the way to the rabbit hole. Mike

This is a wise remark and speaks to the essences of "acceptable accuracy" for the intended purpose.

 

[Mark71]

This is a wise remark and speaks to the essences of "acceptable accuracy" for the intended purpose.

Wise indeed. I definitely don't want to get to carried away...just try to dial it in a little more. If I try a few more things and I don't see much improvement I can live with the slightly over 1 MOA I have. It's fun trying though.

 

[seymour fish]

First of all shooting these in a round robin fashion is not going to give you good groups, but it does provide the best definition of the charge weight node. Using that point, now evaluate seating depth based on group size.

As well, a quick ladder will show powder node width thus suitability

 

[seymour fish]

Good to know. I have some H4350, so I may give it a go as well to see how it compares.

Depending on how things go I have a box of 130 gr Partitions as well...I'll give them a try if nothing comes together with H4831 and the Interlocks.

The sierra soft point gameking 130 is a dandy

 

[Mark71]

The sierra soft point gameking 130 is a dandy

I’m on the hunt for some of those because I’d love to try them. I’ve heard great things about Sierra’s.

 

[Ray123]

If it was mine ...I'd scrap the barrel then chamber and install a new Bartlein barrel...or one of similar quality. The larger 3 shot groups are awful...
That said tiny groups aren't necessarily or required for hunting big game. The 1.5" 3 shot groups and slightly under just fine for big game hunting, don't worry about it ...go hunting...it's plenty accurate for big game.

 

[seymour fish]

I’m on the hunt for some of those because I’d love to try them. I’ve heard great things about Sierra’s.

They are generally accurate and take elk cleanly

 

[LHSmith]

When they become available again, try 130 Nosler Ballistic Tips with 4350. I like Rel 22 better. FWIW bullets can always be sold off on this site. The .270's I have loaded for have been uncannily accurate out of 700's.

 

[USAFRet]

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

When you are adjusting seating depth by .015, are you adjusting into the brass our out toward the rifling?

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

When you are adjusting seating depth by .015, are you adjusting into the brass our out toward the rifling?

I always start 0.15- 0.02 from rifling/ lands in hunting rifles.

In some factory rifles you can't get that close to the lands. In that case i start longest length that will fit in mag.

Then you only have one way to go.

Further into the case/ shorter COAL

 

[USAFRet]

I always start 0.15- 0.02 from rifling/ lands in hunting rifles.

In some factory rifles you can't get that close to the lands. In that case i start longest length that will fit in mag.

Then you only have one way to go.

Further into the case/ shorter COAL

Much appreciated. I worked up a couple of loads that have great ES and SD, but accuracy is suffering pretty bad, I have the Hornady OAL tool. So, measure that and back out .020 and start working my way down in .015 increments?

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

Yes sir.

And again this is for a HUNTING rifle.

Let's say with the hornady tool you get

3.500

Start with 3.480

Then 3.465

Then 3.450

And so on

If groups are getting smaller continue until they start to open up.

Berger has a write up on where they have two different methods. One is for their vld bullets. Other is for hybrid. The furthest they recommend is 0.120 I believe off the lands.

Most rifles shoot best in that 0.015- 0.020 area.

But the last rifle i did preferred 0.060

When i find that area that looks smallest to me, i verify it. So for the 0.060 of the lands load. I did another three groups. 0.050, 0.060, 0.070 to confirm.

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

Here's my last seating depth test. I knew i pulled the shot that i marked. This was at 200 yards. You can see the 0.030 is slightly bigger. Then 0.045 gets smaller and 0.060 the two were on top of each other.

i don't have the final picture of 0.050, 0.060, 0.070

but 0.060 did in fact shoot the smallest.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes sir.

And again this is for a HUNTING rifle.

Let's say with the hornady tool you get

3.500

Start with 3.480

Then 3.465

Then 3.450

And so on

If groups are getting smaller continue until they start to open up.

Berger has a write up on where they have two different methods. One is for their vld bullets. Other is for hybrid. The furthest they recommend is 0.120 I believe off the lands.

Most rifles shoot best in that 0.015- 0.020 area.

But the last rifle i did preferred 0.060

When i find that area that looks smallest to me, i verify it. So for the 0.060 of the lands load. I did another three groups. 0.050, 0.060, 0.070 to confirm.

Yes sir, this is for a hunting rifle. I am not a target shooter, although I have one 6.5 Creedmoor. A Ruger American Predator that I upgraded with a Magpul Hunter stock and a Timney trigger. I could use it for hunting, but it is on the heavy side so it is on the thin line between a hunting and bench rifle. Cheapest rifle I have and probably the most accurate. Funny how that happens.

The information provided is invaluable to me. Very much appreciated.