Need advice on .270 Win load for mule deer....

[LouD]

I'm in the process of working up a load for a NV Mule Deer hunt next month and am racking what's left of my brains over the following......  Using 130 gr. Nosler BT's, the best groups (all less than moa) are relatively light at slightly less than 2800 fps(chrony'd).   I've also worked up loads that are hovering around 3000fps that are marginally less accurate (just over moa).  I will not shoot over 300 yards (and hopefully well under 200 yards)....  The Mule deer are not small in NV....   Should I have any reservations about going with the lighter load (200 fps) in favor of better accuracy (perhaps .25 to .5 moa better) ?  I'm using H4831 SC and the best load is from the Nosler manual as most accurate load of the most accurate powder, although I'm about 100fps slower than the book.   My faster load is still about 100fps & 1 gr. under their listed max., so I do have room to go hotter if I want,   but am thinking I'd rather spend my remaining time fine tuning the cartridge length.... I'm currently at .015 off the lands (using a stoney point guage and comparator).   

I guess what I want to hear is that the 2800 fps load will be just fine....  I like the best accuracy ... thats why I reload....  I just don't want to make a mistake by not going hotter/faster.....


Thanks !!!
Lou Durano - Reno, NV

PS.  No need to lecture me on proper shot placement.... 

[Graybeard]

What I'd be a bit more concerned about would be the lighter construction of the BT vs other bullets such as the PT or the new bonded bullets.

In the past I've used two bullets almost exclusively in my .270s. Those are the Hornady 140 BTSP and the Nosler 150 PT. The Nosler has gotten the most use on game. I'm not a fan of 130 grain bullets in the .270 altho they do seem to have almost univeral acceptance by others.

Currently Hornady is making a 130 grain bonded bullet for the .270 and Nosler a 140 grain bonded. I really wish someone was making a 150 bonded. I think I'll try both bullets since both have the plastic tips similar to the BTs for more areodynamic shape and higher BCs but in the end I really expect the Nosler 140 AB to replace both the Hornady 140 and the Nosler 150s I've used in the past for most of my use of the .270 Winchester.

Now to a more direct answer to your original question, 200 fps more or less is not a big deal in the real world. I'd not let it make the decision for me.

[rickt300]

I haven't loaded the ballistic tips in the 130 grain weight but I feel at 2800 fps they will kill deer well enough. I have been feeding my 270 rifles a steady diet of 150 graon Hornady spire points and Nosler Partitions for years and 2800-2900fps has been working wonders on whatever I shoot with them. The truth is that in the field if you can keep them in an inch and a half you are quite a shot no matter what the rifle can do at the bench.

[Mac11700]

Since shots over 300 yards you won't take...If it were me...I would load up some 130 grain Partitions and shoot them...Even if your getting slightly above 1" groups @100yards...A 3000fps load with that bullet = dead deer...and if for some strange reason you get a shot..but at a less than picture perfect angle or distance(up close)...then the partition will work better..

Mac

[ricciardelli]

Well, I have found the Sierra 140 grain HPBT on top of 53.1 grains of IMR-4350 and Winchester LR primers give me 2,944 FPs @ 15' from the muzzle and consistant 5-shot groups at 200 yards of less than 1 inch.

My old hunting buddies all used the .270 for mulke deer, white tail, and antelope...they had no complaints.

[Boxhead]

I have only used one bullet in my 270's and it is the 130 gr Partition. Always works so no reason to change. I have played with powder some over the years and now use Re 22 with that bullet.

[PaulS]

My rule, and I stick to it, is to always take accuracy over velocity. All my favorite loads shoot sub MOA and some are sub caliber sized groups as the norm. It sounds to me like you have your hunting round!

[drdougrx]

Hi.

I like 150gr BT's in the .270 though I've killed montana mulie with 130gr partitions.  I use 58gr RL-22, 150gr BT and CCI LR primers.  In my 23" ruger UL (rebarreled) I get a chronographed velocity of 2960fps.  U sdd it on all kinds of animals including hogs and will again on axis at the Brady next Aug.

Best of luck!

[BCB]

LouD,

Forty plus years and 4 different rifles in the 270 Winchester cartridge have allowed me to reload a good many rounds of various bullet weights and powder types.  The bullet of choice many moons ago seemed to have been the 130 grain at 3000 fps.  Well, I don’t think I ever got consistent 3000 fps from this bullet weight.  When I did, it seemed I was hotrodding it a bit and maybe to a danger zone.  The 150’s never did shoot well from the early Winchesters I had—still got them too.  Later, Hornady came out with the 140 BTSP bullet and that is all I use in the 270 when I am shooter jacketed bullets.  The powder of choice has finally boiled-down to H-4831 of which I have about 2.5 pounds left from and 8-pound keg.  This bullet and powder choice will often shoot 1.5” groups at 300 yards—3 shots.  The old Model 70 is topped with at Burris 4x-12x ‘scope and 16 ounce beverage cans are mostly dead every time at the 300 yard mark.  That type of shooting was done a dozen years ago.  The ol’ right shootin’ eye has developed a blind spot near center and I can’t hold the crosshair on target without using peripheral vision.  Still I can rattle a white-tail at 200 or more yards with little or no problem.  I mostly shoot cast anymore from a Model 700, so the long range stuff is in the past—mostly!  And now much of my deer hunting is done with a Ruger SRH and cast.  Regardless, the 140 is a very accurate bullet in my 270’s.  Good-luck…BCB

[LouD]

Well, today's trip to the range produced similar groups... ~.8" for the 2800 fps load, ~.9 for the 3000 fps load.   What I found intriguing was that of the 4 shots with the lighter loads (the 1st a fouler), 3 had the exact same velocities !!!, and of the 3 @ 3000, 2 were exact.  G Groups were produced with a ~20mph crosswind too !!!   

Lou

[kenscot]

I'm with Mac on this one. I don't think .25-.5 MOA in the field is going to make much of difference. I have two 270's and both will group
130 gr.Nosler partitions into 1 MOA or less. One will  shoot ballistics to .5 MOA but I will always use the partitions. I just rather have that bullet for that less than perfect shot when I am hunting away from home.

[John R.]

I load for 4 270's. I shot 130 gr. Partitions for years over 55 grs. of IMR 4350, all shot under an inch with one consistantly under a 1/2". Velocity averaged 3000 fps. 2 years ago I swapped to the Hornady 130 gr. Interbond over the same powder charge. This load averages 3/4" @ 2975 fps out of my sons Weatherby Vanguard. It absolutely stones Mississippi whitetails. (Longest shot was a measured 420 yds.)

[John R.]

I load for 4 270's. I shot 130 gr. Partitions for years over 55 grs. of IMR 4350, all shot under an inch with one consistantly under a 1/2". Velocity averaged 3000 fps. 2 years ago I swapped to the Hornady 130 gr. Interbond over the same powder charge. This load averages 3/4" @ 2975 fps out of my sons Weatherby Vanguard. It absolutely stones Mississippi whitetails. (Longest shot was a measured 420 yds.)

[flintlock]

2800 vs 3000 fps won't make any difference in killing ability....Look at the velocity of a 7mm-08, .308,
257 Roberts and a 250 Savage with 100gr bullets...They will all do the job out to 300 yards on deer.

[Coyote Hunter]

I would go with the 140's because of the lower 2800fps velocity - I don't like cup-and-core bullets at higher speeds.  In fact, I would shoot AccuBonds instead of BT's.  Partitions would be better than BT's, too.

A difference of 0.5" or less in accuracy will not make any difference at 300 yards or under.  A heavier or better built bullet might.

[thelaw]

nosler 140gr. accubond
60.0gr. of H4831
Win. primer and case
this load is over the book max, but rifle has a long throat allowing me to seat the bullet out a good ways and i have no high pressure signs at all. this load gives me 3012fps and it leveled a montana muley last fall at 343yds. work up your load.

[Lloyd Smale]

deer are not bullet proof and i wouldnt have any reservation taking a deer with just about any bullet designed for the 270 that was 130+ grain leaving the barrel at any speed 2600fps or better. Ive killed some of the biggest deer in my life with a 250 savage shooting 120s at 2600 fps and never lost a one. Its when you step up to elk sized game with the .270 that you need to get persnickity about what bullets your using. Before someone jumps in here and screams foul and tells me im giving up to much trajectory ill tell you one thing loads like this kill just fine and if you shoot your rifle enough to know where it shoots its absolutely no problem to make hits way out there with loads like this. I get a big kick out of hunters out there with there long and short mags that think they majically now have a gun that will kill out to 300 yards just by closing there eyes and pulling the trigger. Know your gun! You dont need mag velocity or a minute of angle gun to hit at 300 yards. You need MARKSMANSHIP SKILLS>

[fishdog52]

Two weeks ago today, I was in Newfoundland for the opening of moose season.  Two of the 6 hunters out of the lodge were using 270's, both took home their moose, both used 130 grain factory loads.  Take your accuracy load hunting with full confidence that it will do its job, so long as you do yours.  While your loads could certainly be improved on, a little, either is a solid hunting load for mulies.
Further, the velocity you are getting for the BT, probably will enhance its penetration capability!
Much to much is made out of using premium and/or heavy bullets, and I am guilty myself.  Fact is, that thousands & thousands of deer are successfully taken every year with good "old fashioned" bullets out of factory loadings, that are often loaded well under max capabilities for the 270.  Best wishes for a great hunt!
I have owned a 270 for 30+ years, and it is a great hunting caliber.  In the late 80's I added a 35 Whelen, and it has performed very well in the field, and has taught me something about the 2 extremes of bullet performance.  I am pretty happy to hunt with either caliber, but generally choose the one that I think will put the odds in my favor on a particular hunt.
Like you, my confidence goes up with the accuracy of the load.

[LouD]

Well, for the last couple of range seesions I've been working with Sierra 140 HPBT's w/ IMR 4350 power (thanks Steve...).  Groups are fine ~.6, so I'm happy there....  But I do have a question regarding velocities....  Using 53 gr. of powder (which is under the book max by about .5 gr.)  I'm getting velocities from 3030 to 3070, which are over the max in the manual (3000 fps) .....  There are no particular signs of excess pressure on the twice fired cases... But nontheless, I am wondering if I should back-off until I get the velocity down to 3000 or not.... 

Thanks !!!