Author Topic: Free bullets question (Read 475 times)

bigchast1 · « **on:** March 14, 2005, 12:14:01 PM »

I just bought a 270 rifle. My pal's dad shot a 270 when he was still with us, an he gave me all the brass and about 100 loaded rounds. As he is a 30-06 man. Question is These shoot real, real good for deer hunting
in the group size of 1.25-1.5@ 100yds. He does not know the load how can I find out the powder type. Bullet type, weight and powder charge are easy, but don't know what kind. It "LOOKS" like Varget and there is 45.6 grains of it pushing a 130 grain Hornady InterLock or a Speer JSP. Any and all I am greatful for. Chad

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2005, 12:20:08 PM »

The safest thing you could do, if you feel you really want to shoot these, is weigh the powder charge, try and determine the powder by what it looks like, and then make sure that load is within the load book recommendation for that powder and bullet. If its not then scrap them. Its a dangerous game trying to guess powders. KN

myronman3 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2005, 12:31:07 PM »

i wouldnt play that game. it can get real expensive, fast. i wont shoot bullets anyone else has reloaded, period.

i think you would be futher off starting from scratch and devolping your own load that shoots well. it isnt that hard to do and you wont have to guess about powders. better to stay on the safe side.

ricciardelli · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2005, 06:09:04 PM »

Never, ever, attempt to put a name to an unknown powder based on "how it looks". Sure, with powders like Red Dot, Green Dot and Blue Dot you have a good chance of guessing correctly.

Instead, hunt around and see if you can find the man's loading records...

Robert · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2005, 05:41:54 AM »

I think the post was misunderstood....He said these loads shoot excellent. If they are shooting so well, and with no signs of excessive pressure...(sticky extraction, primer dents popping out, loose primer pockets)...they should be fine. BUT...I THINK...what you were asking?

Is there a way to identify the powder to duplicate the load?

Like the other guys said...probably not. You will just have to save those loads for your hunts...and you and your bud will have to think of Dad with your 'lucky bullet'.

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2005, 05:59:41 AM »

Start from scratch. Powder costs $16 per pound. I wouldn't risk a hangnail for $16. Almost everything shoots real good for hunting.

willysjeep134 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2005, 07:02:58 AM »

Loadbook USA has just about every component makers load listed in their inexpensive little book. You could cross reference loads for the type of powder you think it is, then buy a fresh new pound and start out a little bit low. Diferent lots of powder can behave diferently, so start out low and work up as always.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2005, 01:52:06 PM »

If they shoot good, shoot em. I would take one apart, weigth the bullet, charge, measure the col, cl, try to determine the bullet mfgr, and note it all down. I still use powder over 25+ yrs old, but not with current manuals. Powder changes some what from batch to batch. I am sure my IMR 4831 is not a mirror image of todays powder. So save your notes and apply to your search to match this load.
Jim