New to 270 reloading

[kb]

Hi all,

Im new to reloading rifle, and Im starting to work on the 270 caliber.  Just as a matter of interest, what are some of your pet loads for your 270's?  

Ive got alot of 'work' ahead of me (wahoo!!!), but Id just like to see where others have found their rifle's  sweet spot.

Im starting with 130 grain as this seems to shoot the best out of the gun.  

Thanks

kb

[mikemayberry]

KB,

Can't wait to hear the responses since I'm also about to reload my first .270s.  Have been highly successful with .44 mag and now want to do my first rifle reloads.

I'm thinking I will buy the collet dies unless someone talks me out of it.  I will only shoot these reloads in the same Encore rifle and if I understand it correctlly, the cases will fireform to the chamber and only the neck will be adjusted by the collet dies.  If this is true, sounds reasonable that it will increase accuracy.

I will also work with the 130 gr. bullets but have not decided which ones yet.  I am open to suggestions.  My Encore seems to like the Remington Accutips in 130 gr. but I have not yet found a source for them.

Hope some of the experts on here can come with a great suggestion or three.

Mike

[KYODE]

i'm not an expert, but used to use a .270 a-bolt for a long time. i used IMR4350 near max with sierra's 140gr hpbt. shot excellent, and did a great job on deer.

[myronman3]

i use imr7828 with a nosler 150 grain ballistic tip and maximum charge, along with CCI LARGE RIFLE MAGNUM PRIMERS.  i used another brand and got terrible results- 2650 fps.  switched primers, and getting a clean 2900 fps!

[Graybeard]

I've never fired a 130 grain bullet down the barrel of any of the .270s I've owned. Only 140s and 150s. I've also never found a load that can match much less beat the Hornady Custom 140 or the Federal 150 Nosler PT factory loads. So for me reloads in this one like in the 7-08 have been relegated to practice only and I hunt with factory ammo.

I was never pleased with the accuracy from the 4831s even tho they have often been touted as best. I think because that's what Jack told us to use so long ago. The best load I ever develloped for my rifles was the Hornady 140 BTSP over (as best as I remember it. CHECK YOUR MANUAL) 52.5 grains of IMR4350. That load always worked well for me but was slightly behind the Hornady factory load with same bullet in both accuracy and velocity.

Some day I "might" try a 130 grain bullet. But I doubt it.

[mikemayberry]

Graybeard,

Looks like your memory is working well.  My manual shows just what you said with 53 grains as the maximum load of IMR 4350.  Velocity will be estimated at 2900 fps.  

You guys amaze me that you know and remember all these details!

Mike

[robin-hood-90]

There is only one load, Oconners favorite, 60 grains of H4831 with any good 130 grain bullet. Work your way up to this load because it is max. You will not be disapointed.

[Tom W.]

Huh? Try 45 grains of Varget with a 130 gr. Gameking and CCI#200 primers.

[Jim M]

Hornady 140gr interlock boattail over 53.5 gr imr 4350.  Those hornady bullets have never let me down.

[kb]

Ive been checking into some of the bullets to use...whew.  Nosler and barns are pretty expensive.  Twice the price.  Are these really worth it?  Im mostly interested in deer hunting, but want to play with accuracy as well.

[myronman3]

i like nosler's ballistic tips;  accurate and deadly.   yes they arent afraid to charge.  hornady's super shock (a copy of the b.t.) are cheaper but still display good accuracy.   my bud says they kill like the b.t.; but i dont know firsthand as i use noslers.

[Possum]

I have been using the Hornady SST 130gr for two years now.  They are accurate and very deadly.  However, once again, like the Nosler BT's if you shoot them into a lot of meaty flesh -  hams, loins, shoulders, you will have meat damage.  Strive for the behind the shoulder shot and they perform superbly.  

Before anyone gets riled, I know any bullet will destroy meat.  I have never shot a deer in the ham with any bullet with my 270 where there was not a lot of meat damage!  The SST performs as well as any other plastic tipped bullet in my opinion.  It fragments a lot when it hits a solid mass, like many of the lighter bullets do.  But, overall they are very good and that is what I am shooting.

[ktw]

My favorite 270 load is 49.5 grains of IMR4064/Sierra 130gr SpitzerBT. This is at the ragged edge of a max load (work up to it) but is very accurate in my rifle.

[Siskiyou]

I have cranked out a lot of .270 ammo over the years for three different rifles.  I won a little bet with some city boys who came to the mountain to sight in their new flashy Remington 7400's.  My well used Rem. 760 in .270 Win.  was not as flashy but it put 3 rounds in a group that could be covered by a dime at fifty yards.  The load was 60 grains of surplus (H)4831.  If I recall the bullets were 130 grain Rem. Cor Lock.  Those boys thought I played them, and they packed up their guns.  

I used the same rifle to shoot jack rabbits, and woodchucks when I was a kid.

I think a lot depends on the rifle.  My 760 shoots loose groups with factory WW 150 grain power points.  My Rem. 700 shots tight groups with rounds out of the same box and has proven effective on deer.  

I like Hornaday bullets in 130, 140, and 150 grains.  I normally hunt with the 140 grain and 150 grain bullets.  The best velocity, and accuracy  with the 140 grain Hornaday was/is with WW785.  I spent a lot of time test firing this load at 1900 foot elevation at 90+ degrees and at 6800 foot elevation at 78 degrees.  I Crony my loads and I am happy with the results.  The only problem is that I am almost out of WW785 and it is no longer available.

The bottom line is that I think the 140 and 150 grain bullets are better choices in standard bullet formats then the 130.  I have not tried the bonded or premium bullets in 130 so I can not pass judgement on them.  Nor do I believe I need them for deer.

I currently have my press setup to loaded .270 ammo.   First priority is to load 150 grain bullets for the .270-56.5(H4831)-150.  I have a lot of ammo loaded for the .270-WW785-Hornaday 140.  But I need to start loaded development on .270-WMR-140 Silvertips.

At one time I tried the Serria 150 grain boattail.  I found out that I needed to drop 1/2 grain of H4831 because of pressure.

Keep those cases trimmed!

[Weatherby]

My 270 is loaded with 55.5 grns IMR4831 and Nosler 130gr BT. The guy I bought my rifle from worked up the load and showed me his groups. They were around .75 inches. I would say that is pretty accurate. BTW it is a Weatherby Vanguard. Nosler is pretty proud of their bullets. You would think they were gold plated or something. :lol:

[kb]

Thanks for the reply's.  I have made several test batches including a 140 g Nosler BT, so I'll see what works best.  This stuff IS addicting!