Inaccurate .270

[Kiwi222]

Hi folks,
I have a much loved BSA 270 Majestic, that I have owned since I was a teenager. The rifle will now only deliver 2" groups at 100 yards (130 gr projectiles) irrespective of the powder charge.

Clearly the rifle is worn but I haven't the heart to re-barrel. My question is around projectile stability. If I was to use (say) a Winchester Fail Safe or similar composite projectile that is significantly longer than a "standard" jacketed lead core projectile, would the extra length be likely to improve accuracy by improving projectile stability, or is this just wishful thinking?

As I get older the opportunities to nail a deer or wild boar get less and less so accuracy is important to me.

Appreciate your input.

Cheers
Ian

 

[jds holler]

I wouldn't get carried away about it until I had tried two or three different things -- in the way of bullets, seating depth, powder and charge weight, 150 grainers, etc.

And by the way, 2 MOA isn't exactly insufficient for a hunting gun within normal "sensible" hunting range. jd

 

[RW]

My experience with the older BSA rifles were not that good. Did it shoot before? RW

 

[biggen0_8]

In addition to what the others have suggested, have you given the barrel a really good scrubbing? Just to make sure it hasn't become a lead or copper mine over the years.

 

[strut64]

Agree with Biggen on this. if a rifle is used as a hunting /sporter it takes a lot to wear out a barrel. Clean up with an effective copper cleaner first. or JB paste. Just helped a friend save a 70's vintage 6mm Rem. It was choked with copper.

 

[mikeinct]

Clean it, check every screw...action scope base...even if you have to remove the scope to check the base screws...Then try shooting with the ammo that worked ...Mike in Ct

 

[AckleymanII]

Often, older rifles need to be re bedded and check the barrel clearance in the forarm. Also, the first 1/2" of the muzzle may have developed some minor surface rust. If the rust has developed, then just cut off that much of the barrel and re crown.

Scopes can go bad over the years...yes, just sitting in the safe.

Yes, I have revived rifle accuracy on barrels that have grown in the leade buy going to a bullet with more "bearing surface", stay with flat base bullets. The Nosler 160g parittion is a very accurate bullet that I have used, and the load listed in nosler reloading manual was very, very accurate in my rifle. Also, the Sierra 150g flat base is another very accurate bullet.

Powder and copper fouling is a barrel killer over time. JB is a good product to use to clean down to bare metal.

Best wishes and good luck

 

[joshb]

You have gotten all the right answers, above. There is hope that a good cleaning and a recrown may bring her back to shooting well. Check all the screws, too. If it doesn't, 2" at 100 is still pretty good for an old hunting rifle. Think of rebarrelling like "new tires". The heart and soul of the gun is in the action and stock. You could get a new barrel that looks exactly like the old barrel and have the old girl shooting like a laser. First thing to do is find a borescope and have a look. Using a longer bullet may not help as it may need a faster twist to stabilize it. Good luck.

 

[K22]

Take two paper plates, some form of a target stand and your rifle out somewhere where you can shoot over the min and max distances that you expect to hunt. If you can place 5 out 5 shots in a 6 inch circle at each of those distances then you're good to go for deer hunting.

If you haven't tried IMR 4350 or 4831 with 130 grain bullets you should. Never saw a 270 that wouldn't shoot this combo very well.

You don't need a tack driver to hunt deer unless you're hunting at long distances at which most of us couldn't hit a deer in a field position even with a tac driver.

 

[gotcha]

No answers from the OP. If you are hunting red deer on the south island distances can be extreme. Can you clarify the max distance you could possibly shoot??? ................. Otherwise great answers above. Good luck!!

 

[Kiwi222]

Hi folks,
thanks for all of your replies. I have cleaned the barrel with JB's cleaner and it was indeed a copper mine ! This improved things somewhat to the point that I can now get the 2" group at 100 yards I referred to earlier. I have tried loading the Sierra 130 grain SP Flat Base Gamekings at various powder charges from 52.5 grains up to 54.5 grains of Norma 204, and it was the 53.5 grain load that delivered the best group.

I have checked all of the fasteners, scope mounts etc and had the barrel professionally re-bedded and the muzzle re-crowned.

I guess my maximum range these days would be 200 yards and against mainly fallow deer so I guess your right JD, 2MOA is not a disaster. My hunting is mostly western & central North Island of New Zealand.

Admittedly the rifle has never been a tack driver but was usually pretty consistent at 1.5" 3 shot groups at 100 with Norma ammo or my equivalent hand loads. Would the 1:10 twist rate stabilize a longer flat based bullet?

Many thanks

Ian

 

[DOGCAPPER]

1. For the short range hunting you might try hard cast bullets.
2. A barrel liner will give hunting accuracy and retain the outside apperance of the rifle.

 

[jawjaboy]

Would the 1:10 twist rate stabilize a longer flat based bullet?

Yes.

If you can get some IMR 4350 try to work up a load to 55 gr with Sierra 130 gr either the flat base Pro Hunter or boattail GameKing. That is the standard OCW for most 270 Win rifles. Also 60gr of H4831 with 130s was the other OCW load. Work up to that charge too. You very well may find an accuracy node below those charge weighs especially with the H4831 well below that charge.

As K22 said those are the two standard powders for the 270 Win. If you can't get it to shoot better than 2" groups at 100 yards with either one of those, then that's as good as it's gonna shoot.

 

[jdh47]

I always had good luck with H4831 in my .270's with Hornady 130spfb bullets. Any good bullet will do and the accuracy does not have to be guilt edge for hunting. The bullet you choose does need to perform the intended task.

It does need to be consistent though. Hunting rifles with slim profile barrels and heavy trigger pulls usually do not get really good accuracy consistently. The first three shots count and your familiarity with your weapon count for a lot.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Hi folks,
thanks for all of your replies. I have cleaned the barrel with JB's cleaner and it was indeed a copper mine ! This improved things somewhat to the point that I can now get the 2" group at 100 yards I referred to earlier. I have tried loading the Sierra 130 grain SP Flat Base Gamekings at various powder charges from 52.5 grains up to 54.5 grains of Norma 204, and it was the 53.5 grain load that delivered the best group.

I have checked all of the fasteners, scope mounts etc and had the barrel professionally re-bedded and the muzzle re-crowned.

I guess my maximum range these days would be 200 yards and against mainly fallow deer so I guess your right JD, 2MOA is not a disaster. My hunting is mostly western & central North Island of New Zealand.

Admittedly the rifle has never been a tack driver but was usually pretty consistent at 1.5" 3 shot groups at 100 with Norma ammo or my equivalent hand loads. Would the 1:10 twist rate stabilize a longer flat based bullet?

Many thanks

Ian

The accuracy problems that have developed over the years may indeed be you. Mostly likely your eye sight and lack of steadiness. Happens to all of us at some point.

 

[okie]

did you carry that rifle muzzle down in truck daily for 5 years or so??
that will get the crown. the good bore scrubbing probably was all you needed, but if its a truck gun, could be crown also...?

 

[jsn]

BSA Majestic is a Mauser style action. Does it have a steel insert/pillar in the rear action screw hole? I've read that over time a Mauser action without the pillar will rock and compress the rear area around the action screw hole.

If you can find someone with a bore scope it might help. We can't see your age or part of the country from your profile, you've owned the rifle for some time, you may have pitting or rust. If in a high humidity area, over the years, dust in the muzzle can lead to rust/pitting as it absorbs moisture.

 

[Kiwi222]

Hi folks,
its never been a truck gun, its always been carried in a soft cover or stored in a dry lock up cabinet. So I live in the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand and yes I am of "advancing" years at 65 so there is very likely an element of unsteadiness and eyesight thats not 20/20 anymore .

I am trying various bullet setting depths to see how that changes things but yes, I suspect the old girl is just getting tired. In its life before me it belonged to an deer culler so I guess its done a "bit" of work.

Maybe I should be happy with the 2MOA.

Cheers
Ian

 

[Barlow]

I would give it a good scrubbing with Montana Extreme copper remover. It seems to work better than JB for me. Barlow

 

[hogpatrol]

Have you checked to see if you have cataracts? If so, have them removed and get new lenses. Did wonders for me.