Custom Mark X Mauser 270 Win

[jmckinley]

    I just picked my new Custom rig last and shot it this past Sunday. WOW!! 4 groups under 3/4" at a 100 yards. I was use Remington 130gr Core-lokts. THe specs. on the rifle are Mauser action, Timney trigger, 26 1/2" # 4 contour tube, Fajen Stock. This puppy weighs 13 1/2 pounds. It ill flat drive nails. I can't wait to find a good hand load for this rifle. Do you have any suggestion on a good starting load for it. I screwed a Simmons Master Series 44 mag which is a 4-14x44 on top, First time to post in awhile.  Jess

[charles p]

Did you splurge on the Simmons for that custom rifle?

[Swampman]

That's a good scope.

[nomosendero]

A load for Deer, Targets, what?

[anweis]

That is an odd caliber for a benchrest rifle. 26" tube and 13 pounds?

[RevJim]

 It seems to me you have a great shooter, but surely you built this as a beanfield rifle, shot from a blind? I built a heavy rifle for the prairie once, a Remington 700 Varmint rechambered/converted from .308 to the new (at the time) .300 WSM. I shot it over the hood of my truck, off sandbags. It was a tackdriver too. Prairie wind didn't blow me around either, ha. I have a friend in Texas who hunts out of box blinds, it works great for him.

[nomosendero]

It seems to me you have a great shooter, but surely you built this as a beanfield rifle, shot from a blind? I built a heavy rifle for the prairie once, a Remington 700 Varmint rechambered/converted from .308 to the new (at the time) .300 WSM. I crap it over the hood of my truck, off sandbags. It was a tackdriver too. Prairie wind din't blow me around either, ha. I have a friend in Texas who hunts out of box blinds, it works great for him.

Yes, I figured that was the basic purpose of this rifle or close to it, more of a "Beanfield Rifle" as they are called in the East. I did not see anything about it being a Benchrest Rifle.

[jmckinley]

You are right I built this rifle as a stand rifle. I am 100% disabled Vet and my mobility is gone so I take a stand. I purchased a 4-14X42 Burris to replace the Simmons but the Simmons is a fine scope in it's own right. I built this rifle to use on goats and long range deer to 400 yards and an Elk that wanders to close. It's a beauty and shoots as good as it looks. My primary hunting rifle is a Custom Remington 03-a3 that drives nails too. It's better looking than my Mauser. It has 3-9x40 Pioneer II on it and it will put 3 at 200 yards into 2 1/2 to 3 inches all day long. Hope that answered any questions.   Jess

[nomosendero]

Again, sounds like a very nice rifle. Now that I see what you will be shooting, I can tell you that I would try the 140 Accubond. That is the most accurate bullet I have shot in my 270 & I tried several. It also has a .496BC & in this case is a higher BC than the 140 BT, in most weights and cal. the BC is the same. It is a harder bullet than the 130 Partition
in my actual field experience, which would be nice for that Elk.
I used Win. Primers & Brass, 4831SC. I would start at about 55-56 gr. & slowly work up.

[anweis]

Again, sounds like a very nice rifle.

Again, it sounds like a large, heavy, unnecessarily unwieldy rifle. The so called bean rifles are the answer to a problem that did not really exist, a solution brought forth by shooters who did not really understand the problem.

Long barrels give slightly (about 120 fps in his 26" barrel compared to a 22) more velocity. Heavy barrels heat at a slower rate and maintain accuracy when heated longer than sporter weight barrels - thus allowing groups of 5 or 10 shots to be fired with better accuracy. That is it. No other advantage whatsoever.
These advantages are irrelevant when firing 2 or 3 shots to kill 2 or 3 deer over a large field. Any rifle, even a featherweight, can do that.  There is no accuracy difference between a light and a heavy rifle for the first 3 shots. If more than 3 shots are needed for this application, the shooter needs more practice (this is almost always the case), a better scope, a better trigger, a more suitable bullet, etc, but not necessarily a heavier rifle.
"You could not run fast enough to give me a rifle with a 26" barrel". - Jeff O'Connor. Then again, he actually hunted.

[nomosendero]

Again, sounds like a very nice rifle.

Again, it sounds like a large, heavy, unnecessarily unwieldy rifle. The so called bean rifles are the answer to a problem that did not really exist, a solution brought forth by shooters who did not really understand the problem.

Long barrels give slightly (about 120 fps in his 26" barrel compared to a 22) more velocity. Heavy barrels heat at a slower rate and maintain accuracy when heated longer than sporter weight barrels - thus allowing groups of 5 or 10 shots to be fired with better accuracy. That is it. No other advantage whatsoever.
These advantages are irrelevant when firing 2 or 3 shots to kill 2 or 3 deer over a large field. Any rifle, even a featherweight, can do that.  There is no accuracy difference between a light and a heavy rifle for the first 3 shots. If more than 3 shots are needed for this application, the shooter needs more practice (this is almost always the case), a better scope, a better trigger, a more suitable bullet, etc, but not necessarily a heavier rifle.
"You could not run fast enough to give me a rifle with a 26" barrel". - Jeff O'Connor. Then again, he actually hunted.

O'Connor would not enter my mind when I look for a rifle & I read many if not most of his articles.
 
I actually hunt too, which is why I don't view any writer's opinion as gospel,  Barness, Pierce & some others have good articles, but we have different choices for different reasons.
 
I would run with a comment you made on another thread about the 30-06. "Just because O'Connor wrote that 30-06 is great it does not make you smart for choosing it." I agree, and the same would apply here.
 
I use light rifles, heavy rifles & in between. I have a M70 featherwt with Brown Precision St. in 30-06AI that is a fine rifle. I also use a couple of Sendero's & not just for a Beanfield rifle. I have carried them out West all day on many occasions, the 25-06AI Sendero has accounted for several good Antelope Bucks & Mule Deer as well.
I know from experience that with a bipod & small rear bag I use I can load the bipod & really hold well & with a crosswind is much easier to hold steady, tried it with both extremes many times. As I get older & weaker I may carry my light rifles more, right now weight is a non-issue in some of my applications.
 
If the OP had asked what we thought of the rifle in specs., should he buy this or a light rifle, etc. those opinions would matter. I do not see any good in you blasting the man's rifle & especially since it will do the intended purpose well. He asked about loads for the rifle.
 
Since my opinions on rifles & yours aren't really relevant here, why not stick to topic?
 
thanks

[RevJim]

 I had a .270 custom stocked for my Marine SIL during his first tour in Iraq. I too find the 140 Accubond to be the best choice for mule deer/elk. I don't have my notes handy for that rifle, but I want to say I used H4831. Anyhow, it is a very streamlined bullet, and accurate too.
  I hunted antelope my first time in Laramie, WY, back in '93. I had a Remington Model 700 Mountain Rifle in .280 ( reamed out to the Ackley Improved) and was shooting the Nosler 150 BT. It had a Leupold Compact ( now they call it the Ultralight) 3x9. It was Jim Dandy chasing elk up in the Uintahs, but that prairie wind blew "me" around terribly. I missed 4 different bucks in one day, ha. I just could not tell what the wind was doing "where the buck was". I call that area the "short grass" prairies, as I could not see any wind indicators. However, I did slip up to a small group that was about 250yds the other side of a snow fence. I wrapped myself and the rifle all up in that fence, and I was rock steady. It just so happened I got a tail wind from me to him, my first and only buck antelope, 15" with deep hooks. I have shot several antelope does since, and I used heavier rifles ( in weight) but not what I would call a beanfield rifle. I like standard sporter weight rifle/3x9 or so, which holds steady enough for me. I did like the way a real heavy rifle feels off bags, and it allowed me to take advatage of a higher power magnification in scope. Hunting from a blind, in a known area, say a lease, and who is where, allows one to "scope out" deer instead of using binocs. Picking a hole in the brush, judging the sex/horns,etc, shooting pigs behind the ear, is a benefit to what I call the "beanfield" rifle. I just don't get to do that here in Utah, so I got into the habit of using binocs all the time, but I didn't even own a pair in Texas!
  Have fun man!

[jmckinley]

I am glad you would never carry or want a rifle like mine...It was not your dime it was mine and several of them thank you. I wanted a rifle  I thought  was the most accurate I have ever owned and that is what I have. I could care less about the weight It is a stand rifle...Frankly I'll carry it if i am in the mood...If not I'll carry my custom 03-a3 or Mossy 308 more of what you would carry. At nearly 62 I have hunted for close to 50 years. Opinions are like back sides we all have them. Some look better than others. I like to listen to other opinions as it expands my understanding of loads and rifles. So thanks for you opinion...I love this heavy rifle as it drives nails and it is all mine. It will fill it's intended purpose perfectly as a stand rifle capable of taking it's intended game animal I thought that is the purpose of a beautiful accurate big game rifle to make the most accurate humane kill a hunter can make. This rifle will allow me to do just that. Jess

[nomosendero]

Back to that Accubond, I only recovered 1 bullet out of a bunch of animals. We had one Antelope to act like it was not hit, but found it just over the ridge. He ran about 200 yards, which an Antelope can do fast, so maybe he was on his feet 10 seconds or so. All others went down right there or within a few yards.

[jmckinley]

  I like normal weight rifles too. This 270 just shoots so well and feels good in the hands and u don't feel go off off the bench. I will try the
Accubonds this fall and thanks for the info.  Jess

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

  JM, I just picked up a nice rebarreled 700 in .270 with a 26 inch barrel..it seems to be a tack driver...and I hunt with my 26 inch barreled rifles for deer, elk, moose, sheep what have you...hang in there with that rifle...I have tried feather wt. rifles, have a couple lighter wt. rifles, but for me, the longer heavier tube makes for a better handling rifle and easier to study down for a shot after a rough climb or in the wind...as for the bullets, I am not a .270 fan, but as Nonmosendro said, I would go for the Accubond...I picked up several brands of 140's and they shoot excellent..for my .270 I went with Reloader 22, because I have a  bunch of it..for my serious big game rifles, I am switching to the Accubond bullet...you may not need its toughness for deer or antelope or at times even elk...but when that perfect broadside shot does not present itself, it is nice to have a bullet capable of driving though some muscle and bone to reach the vitals..enjoy that rifle...Plus I always get a laugh out of the crowd that wants rifles light as a feather...I remember reading an old order for a Sharps rifle when the hunter finished with the caliber etc...he stated don't make it too heavy...15 or 16 pounds should be about right...

[RevJim]

 I made the mistake of having a featherweight built by Matchgrade Arms in .340 Weatherby one time! It had one of those god awful "holes all around" muzzlebrakes that was obnoxious. It was a shooter if I could ever hold it still! It kicked the guts out of a VIII 3.5x10 leupold 10 days before my South Africa trip in '98. I replaced it with a Zeiss Conquest 3x9. I zeroed it, and off we went. When I got to Joberg, we checked our rifles, mine was about 4" to the left. No sweat, dialed it over. First shot on a poor blesbuck, aiming on his shoulder, bullet hit 14" to left in the guts. I got all bumfuzzled, and shot at the shoulder again; another gut shot. He ran off, and I finished him with my buddies .300 WM. It took me 12 rounds to bring it back to zero. I then shot an Impala and a zebra, spot on. We drove over to Namibia, my first shot on a big gemsbuk went several inches left and 3ft low! He was standing facing me on an angle and I shot his back hoof off. My friend finished him pronto. It took four rounds next morning to bring it back to zero. I'm flustered, but did not bring an extra scope, so was trying to work with it. My next shot on another gemsbuck...yep, 14" left, same gut shot. Never did catch up with him. Had to pay for him, and he died a miserable death I'm sure. I finished the hunt with my friends 300WM.
  When I got home, I sent it back to MG Arms, had it rebarreled to 338WM, Mag Na Ported and only shot the Barnes 185 XLC. End of problem.but still too light to hold still. It soured me to no end on featherweights, especially in big calibers. A Remington Mountain Rfile or Kimber 84M seems to be my limit as to what I can manage. My next few trips I took my 35 Whelen AI sporter weight that had back up irons with an spare scope all in QD rings, ha. Ah youth, you live and you learn.

[Freezer]

There's nothing like having a gun built to fit your needs! Nice choice. I had need for a light quiet rifle since I hunt near some cabins and some of the folks there are anti hunters. I bought a Rem model 7 chambered in 7TCU. It will hold one hole three shot group at 100 yrds and it good to 200 Yards. Accurate, efficent and quiet. I'm having an Arg Mauser custom built with a 26" Shilen lite varmint barrel chambered in 6.5-06. It will have a Harris bi-pod. That will be my beanfield/long range target/varmint rifle. I like a rock steady heavy rifle as long as I don't have to carry the thing all day.

[BBjarki]

Hi you all. I'm new at this forum and all I've seen sofar is interesting. I look forward to read more here and take part of talks about different topics. I bought an old Interarms Mark x Mauser just few days ago and it happens to be in 270 WCF. I haven't tried it out yet beacuse of severe weather and snow storms up here lately (I live in Iceland by the way). I'm not totally new to neither the caliber nor that kind of action type. My other 270 is 20 years old Weathrby Vanguard and it still shoots great. Talking about load recipies I agree with that said about the Nosler Accubond of 140 grains. I've shot many reindeer with that on top of either H-4831, IMR-4831 or Reloder-22. They are all good powder choises when it comes to 270 WCF. CCI-200 or 250 are good primers in the combination and fiddle with charge and seating depth. Hirtenberger primers are good too. Pick up some Norma brass if you have a chance. These commercial 98 Mausers are great, reliable and strong. The other I have is a Santa Barbara (of Spain) 98 Mauser in my Parker-Hale 1200 rifle. Always worked great.
Everybody should chosse the rifle profile and weight tha suits him. I am in for what we call grown up rifles in my country, heavy and sturdy with 26" semi hevy barrel to be carried up to sometimes total of 20 kilometers from vehicle to game and back again. Good physical shape is required to hunt up here as every place else. If one likes the socalled mountain-rifles it's ok too. Just if it works and makes you happy is all  that counts.  Hope my english is in order. Great to be here among you all.
BBjarki, Iceland
 
 

[Don Fischer]

Again, sounds like a very nice rifle.

Again, it sounds like a large, heavy, unnecessarily unwieldy rifle. The so called bean rifles are the answer to a problem that did not really exist, a solution brought forth by shooters who did not really understand the problem.

Long barrels give slightly (about 120 fps in his 26" barrel compared to a 22) more velocity. Heavy barrels heat at a slower rate and maintain accuracy when heated longer than sporter weight barrels - thus allowing groups of 5 or 10 shots to be fired with better accuracy. That is it. No other advantage whatsoever.
These advantages are irrelevant when firing 2 or 3 shots to kill 2 or 3 deer over a large field. Any rifle, even a featherweight, can do that.  There is no accuracy difference between a light and a heavy rifle for the first 3 shots. If more than 3 shots are needed for this application, the shooter needs more practice (this is almost always the case), a better scope, a better trigger, a more suitable bullet, etc, but not necessarily a heavier rifle.
"You could not run fast enough to give me a rifle with a 26" barrel". - Jeff O'Connor. Then again, he actually hunted.

Who is Jeff O'Conner? That one of Jacks graandkids?

[nomosendero]

Again, sounds like a very nice rifle.

Again, it sounds like a large, heavy, unnecessarily unwieldy rifle. The so called bean rifles are the answer to a problem that did not really exist, a solution brought forth by shooters who did not really understand the problem.

Long barrels give slightly (about 120 fps in his 26" barrel compared to a 22) more velocity. Heavy barrels heat at a slower rate and maintain accuracy when heated longer than sporter weight barrels - thus allowing groups of 5 or 10 shots to be fired with better accuracy. That is it. No other advantage whatsoever.
These advantages are irrelevant when firing 2 or 3 shots to kill 2 or 3 deer over a large field. Any rifle, even a featherweight, can do that.  There is no accuracy difference between a light and a heavy rifle for the first 3 shots. If more than 3 shots are needed for this application, the shooter needs more practice (this is almost always the case), a better scope, a better trigger, a more suitable bullet, etc, but not necessarily a heavier rifle.
"You could not run fast enough to give me a rifle with a 26" barrel". - Jeff O'Connor. Then again, he actually hunted.

Who is Jeff O'Conner? That one of Jacks graandkids?

Don, he must be the one that actually hunted!