What is Your Best 270 Winchester Load?

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Woolecox

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270
Yes, I have 8 or 10 load manuals, yes I have unlimited access to the internet and all the manufacturer's load data, yes I can search this web site and find a zillion threads on this cartridge but; I want some fresh data! And no, I am not going to use anyone's data without a valid published recipe and a work up.

For instance, I have a box of Berger VLDH 150's. Anyone loading and hunting with those?

A few years back I sold my trusty Sako 75 Deluxe Hunter in 270 WIN to finance another gun project. I have regretted it ever since. So a couple of weeks ago I found a Winchester Model 70 Jack O'connor Tribute addition in 270 WIN at a local dealer. After a couple of days of begging, my wife let me buy it.

I tried a lot of bullets and loads in my old 270. This one is new. I don't know what the twist rate is have not been able to find out from the internet. The barrel is 22" long. My old Sako grouped the best with 150 SGK's with a stout load of IMR 7828. I really wanted it to shoot the pretty tipped bullets better but it just wouldn't.

My Sako would shoot a 3 shot group under 1 MOA with the SGK's. My son's inexpensive Howa 243 shoot's 1/2 MOA 3 shot groups with SGK 100's and Speer BT's.

So, I still have all my 270 reloading equipment and variety of powders, bullets, cases, etc. I know the 270 is not the end all, be all of cartridges. I have others that are. But, it is still to this day my most favorite medium range deer size game rifle. It is light, reliable, accurate, and fast handling. And did I mention that Jack O'connor was one of my childhood heros?

So, what works in your 270?

Cheers,
Wooly
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My favorite load for the 270 is near max with 4350 and a 130 gr bullet.My experience with the VLD's is only with a 308.They're good bullets for long range hunting,but are finiky about seating depth.Berger recommends seating them to touch the lands,and then they won't likely function in the magazine,and in long throated rifles,the bearing surface of the bullet is too short,causing too much runout and neck tension problems.
 
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50 gr IMR4895 130 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 3.34" 22" barrel 2875 fps.

This is wimpy and low pressure, but it really gets the job done. With an ultra light pre 64 M70 that weights 8.75 lb with scope, sling, bipod, and ammo, I killed 9 mule deer mostly between 400 and 500 yards. The one in the pic was 329 yards, and that was the closest.

You don't need a hot load in 270 when shooting deer.
 
My .270 is an old Remington Sportsman 78 fitted with a walnut stock from an ADL. It loves 56.1 gr. H4350, 130 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip. The throat and magazine are both really long, so I load it to an OAL of 3.489" (20 thousandths off the lands). This will put three rounds from a cold barrel into about 5/8" @ 100 yards. With the added case capacity, this load is safe in my gun, might not be in yours. I have some casings with 15 loadings that still have tight primer pockets.

The only better load I have ever experienced used H450, which is unfortunately obsolete. I could regularly get 1/2" groups with that powder.
 
And a tribute to Mr. OConnor indeed. One of my heros also, and his reloading material is what got me started many years ago.

Most recently I have been developing a load for a new Ruger American. And I started out with some 130 gr. Nosler Ballictic Tip's, CCI 250's, RL22, and once fired through this chamber factory Remington, Win., and Federal brass, 60 pieces of each. I had to do some FL sizing with most, as this chamber is exceptionally tight, many were so tight I couldn't close the bolt after only necking them. Once I bumped the shoulders back a little, all was good.

I started out with the bullets seated just too the lands, some were actually lightly in them, but most were just touching, or as olgive consistency allows for. This is a standard in my bottle neck bolt gun loading process.

I started Nosler Ballistic Tips RL22 at 56.0 grs kept going up until I reached 58.3 grs, which is where accuracy was stellar. As for trying to go any higher, I did increase all the way up to 61.0 grs. but with no advantage and no excessive pressure signs. In fact, velocity only increased by less than 50 fps, or from about 3070's fps to about 3120. and my groups seemed to open up a tiny bit, could have just been me though.

I did the same work up with Nosler 130 gr. Silver Tip Ballistic tips. I ended up with everything the same in terms of accuracy and pressures respectfully, except my target velocities were easier to achieve with a lighter powder charge of 57.2 grs.. So I ended up with a 57.4 gr. charge that turned out to be the magic number.

Other than those two recent work ups, I have loaded for a number of .270's for several decades, and have nothing but great things to say about that cartridge. In my experience the 130 gr. projectiles will produce the best accuracy from that cartridge. I've killed elk, bear and everything smaller using a 130 gr. out to distances on the edge of 600 yds..

Powders I've found to produce optimum accuracy and velocity have been the slow burning one's such as IMR-4350, RL22, IMR-4831 and the SC also. I've worked with h1000 and RL19 and a couple other faster burner's for it, but they just didn't produce the tack driving accuracy I've come to know the 270 for and velocity came with a pressure price. You sound like a seasoned reloader, so please don't take offense, but maybe switching to a 130 gr. bullet and using slower burning powders may yield you more consistent groups, while maintaining better trajectories in line with the .270's history and potential.

GS
 
Thanks for all the input gang. Seems like no love for the old 150 SMK or Speer Boat Tails. I started out using those in the old days way before the tipped bullets and VLD's came along. That is all there was back then. They have always served me well. They grouped, shot, and killed well, even after the lead tips took a beating in the mag. No telling how much game my two boys and I have taken with those bullets in 25-06 and 243.

I have tried 130's (albeit mine were at hotter loads). Isn't that what Jack hunted with pretty much all over the world? I bet bringing the velocity/pressure down would tighten up the groups as GS says. I have tried to stay with 150's for a little more down range energy, BC, and SD. I hunt mostly in West Texas, Kansas, some in Arkansas. But, I can answer that question with a ballistic program.

I'm thinking about ditching my heavier 7mm Rem Mag for this 270 on a October Elk hunt that I have booked in Idaho. This will be my first guided Elk hunt ever and we will have one additional tag for one of the following; Mule Deer, Whitetail, Wolf, Black Bear, or Lion. I will have to ask the guides how they feel about a 270. There will be a lot of mountain climbing.

I love a Berger VLDH in my 7mm Mag. But the 7 is a shorter cartridge than the 300 WINMAG which allows the bullets to be seated into the lands and function flawlessly through the mag. This may not be the case with the 270. I have also loaded 175 VLDH's in my tactical 308's and got as good of accuracy as a SMK. These had to have an OAL that will fit in a box mag. The idea is a bullet with match accuracy and low drag but expands like a hunting bullet. They have been devastating on white tail and hogs. No tracking required.

Last year I loaded up some Barnes 168 LRX in the 7mm. I took this decent Kansas WT at 303 yards after about 100 yards of crawling. One more inch and he would have bolted into the next county. Complete pass through. Bullet not recovered. He made a 15 yard sprint and rolled up.
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I wasn't going to say anything but the "no love for SGK" or such got me...

I recently (18mos ago) picked up a circa '70's Interarms MkX Mauser in .270. Since I was in highschool at the time I wanted one. I ended up then getting a .30/06 which I killed my first deer with in 1976. I've been an '06 affectionado ever since (and before for that matter..).

Mine is a tad slow on the velocities for a 24" bbl, but then it's still not got enough rounds through it to polish-in the bore. (Appearances are that it's probably not had over 100rds through it before I got it... ).

My rifle, like most of my rifles shows a decided preference for anything Sierra. Even some Nosler B.T's and Ballistic SilverTips aren't as accurate as the Sierra's. Last year, I took three deer with it. One fell to a 130gr BallisticSilverTip over 55.0gr H4350. The other two fell to Sierra 140gr GameKings over 58.0gr of RL22.
Either of these two loads are MOA or better for 3-shots.
The Sierra's had a much deeper penetration (complete), and had a straighter wound channel and didn't break up like the much lighter constructed ballistic tips. I wouldn't hesitate to use the 140gr Sierra's for anything the .270 is suited to.

My current load for the coming year for the .270 is a max load of Mag-Pro under a Speer 130gr HotCor. I've had excellent experience with these as game/hunting bullets, though they often aren't quite as accurate as the Sierra's, they're no slouch, and are 10-15% cheaper than the Sierra's. This Mag-Pro load is the only load I've gotten to break 3,100fps for my rifle. A boat-tail bullet from a Remington or FederaL case and Fed210 primers might break the "magic" (not) 3,200fps I was looking for....
But, for a "hunting/shooting" load, IMR4064 under a 130gr Speer HotCor or Sierra "ProHunter" (flat based bullets) will be cheaper and do anything you'd want to do with a .270.... No need for some "super bullet".
 
Another very good projectile, and in fact my personal first choice bullet for taking big game, is the Speer 130 gr. Hot Core. That is in fact the bullet I started out hunting with 30+ yrs. ago, and among other big game, I killed elk and bear with. At that time I was doing IMR-4350 @ around 3150 fps. and those Hot Cores would maintain their integrity under some of the most challenging circumstances. A bull elk I once killed with those was shot from the butt end, in which the bullet traveled up the entire length of the spine from butt, to the base of the neck, through every single vertebra, a once in a life time scenario. When I retrieved the projectile it had a very typical looking mushroom, with the jacket completely intact. After cleaning bone and flesh off, it had retained more than 90% of it's weight, and the jacket was still intact.

I don't know how these Nosler's are going to do, but we'll see. I have taken Deer with Nosler ballistic tips, and they get the job done no doubt. But I've never had one fail to punch all the way through, so I've been unable to inspect it following the kill. Apparently the Silver Tips are supposed to hold together better at high velocity, we'll see.

Just let me add one more perspective regarding bullets. With the difference between the 130 and 150 only 20 grains, energy isn't going to be much different considering the 150's are going to sacrifice a significant amount of velocity, unless they are pushed to the absolute maximum which will get them out there in the upper 2800's or so. So if you can achieve mid 3000 fps to an easy 3100's with a 130 without having to push the charge to the limits, verses the 150's around 2700's using a similar place in the charge table, I would put my money on the 130's. They'll definitely fly flatter, and energy in foot pounds isn't going to be all that different, if not maybe a bit higher with the 130's as a result of a 300 - 400 fps increase.

GS
 
Now We're Talkin'!

I knew there had to be some experience out there with the old standby Sierra's and Speer's. I have just never been able to beat them an any category whether its accuracy, performance on game, etc. Its hard to get some folks to believe that such an ugly looking bullet can perform so well.

We will see. I have 7 different bullets to work up. I will let you know in a week or two which one's come out on top.

I am also going to sit down with Loadbase here for a while and see how a 130 vs. a 150 performs down range. I had settled on the 150's decades ago for the one and only reason that my rifle shot them the best.

Thanks,
Wooly
 
I'm was shooting 56gr of IMR7828 under 150gr Nosler BT when I was shooting 500 yds. Now most of my shots are 100/150yds so I downgraded to 130 gr Noslers. I'm still at 56 grains of the 7828. Still tack drivers out of my Rem 700 Sendero. The 150's were a bit more stable way out there but the 130's at 200 yds and less are working great for me. The ballistic tips will screw up some meat if you hit a bone but they do drop the game!
 
In terms of non-premium bullets, I have had great results with the 130 gr. Remington Core Lokt. I have never recovered a bullet, they all go out the other side. I generally only take broadside shots, and out to 300 yards, I get complete penetration. I have not seen them in stock for quite some time.
 
Wool...
You are not alone with the Sierra Game Kings ... I've shot many many deer with SGK bullets and they were as accurate as anything I've ever shot ... that includes the 117 gr in my 25/06, the 130 gr in a 270 Win and 270 WSM, the 140 gr in a 7mm Rem Mag ....

I just never felt the need for the 150 gr for the GA deer that we shoot ... but if I were to hunt larger deer ... I would be very pleased chosing the 150 gr SGK ...

I would not be scared to jump right in with some IMR 7828 and those 150 gr SGK ...Hodgdon lists 56.8 as a max load ....
 
I have had several 270 Winclhester's in the past and they were all easy to load for and shot moa with just about any good 130 grain bullet. A 270 is not at it's best with bullets heavier than 130 grain and if I need a heavier bullet I go to a 30-06. My favorite load is 55 grains of IMR 4831 with a 130 grain flat base bullet and 56 grains of IMR 4831 with a 130 grain boattail bullet. I like Speer, Sierra and Hornady bullets and just about any good bullet will shoot less than moa.
 
Lots-O-H4831

I have an 8# keg of H4831 so I guess it will be my main powder for load development. Hope it shoots good with something!

Thanks for all the info guys. I did compare two bullets of the same manufacturer in my Loadbase 3.0 program. I was pretty surprised with the result. I used a 130 Berger against a 150. Used Berger just because I can get G7 Cd, etc. from their website. With a max load of H4831 for both, using test barrels, the muzzle velocities were 3100 and 2900 fps respectively.

I charted it out to 500 yards. The 130 retained its velocity advantage all the way. The 130 dropped significantly less (flatter shooting). The 130 only had a slight energy disadvantage (very slight, insignificant). The 130 retained 1500 ft/lbs of energy all the way past 450 yard.

Impressive. Guess I will concentrate on a 130 grain bullet now.
 
130 grain bullet with around 59 grains of H4831( +or- a grain or two for accuracy). Its worked for as long as I can remember. One great thing about time tested calibers such as the 270 win, is that the load data is time tested.
 
Over the years I have run something from about all of the manufacturers through mine. I haven't found any notable advantage of accuracy or performance from one to the next with careful loads and non heavy boned impacts. Throw a thick shoulder in front of some however, and well there are some distinct differences.

Mine is a stock Rem 700 with the standard 22" barrel on it. I have been pleased with the fact it has digested so many different loads with such across the board acceptable performance. The accuracy of most has always been more than acceptable. In fact I have had more of an issue deciding WHAT to shoot rather than what is going to work. Yea I know bummer huh...:D

That said, after working through things over the years, I found that the old Nosler Solid Base actually eeked out the best overall accuracy across the range of loads I tried, with the Ballistic Tip coming in close second. The Hornady 130 SST and their 150gr RNSP both come in at third, with either being equally accurate out to 400yds. While some of the past tired and true powders did get some respectable velocities, and even SOME good to great groups, I also found that in my rifle at least some of the lesser used powders also gleaned some top performance.

Using the 130gr weights my top loads have been relegated to using Ramshot Hunter for the top end velocities, and IMR-3031 for my lower end loads. With either of those two powders I easily get 1/2 MOA accuracy out past 400yds. The Ramshot load is just barely topping 3000fps with the Hornady SST, and the 3031 load is right at 2700fps with the Nosler SB or BT. With the latter both myself and several others who have used this rifle have taken many a critter from almost point blank out to around 400yds. The mild recoil and accuracy make it my favorite all around load.

The 150gr range of bullets.

I simply didn't have much of a desire to use anything of this weight. I didn't really see the need with our whitetails. I was given half a dozen boxes of the Hornady 150gr RNSP which sat on a shelf for close to a decade before I even decided to give them a try. When I did, I was so impressed I simply settled on the IMR-4350 load of 50grs and went with it. There is no fuss or muss, recoil is light, and accuracy and penetration is phenomenal. I call them my thumper loads, due to the fact stuff hits the ground so fast. I primarily use them for hogs, where they do such an outstanding job. There is usually very minimal meat damage even when smashing through the thick shoulder shield and heavier bone. The best part is with the lighter recoil, target acquisition on multiple hogs is almost instant.

All of this said, bear in mind this particular rifle only weighs in at just over 7# topped with a Burris 4.5-14. With the MIL dot reticle it makes it easy to set the proper hold on the longer ranged shots and with the combined accuracy I get from the loads, the fun is all over after the trigger breaks, it's time to go to skinnin.

With the newer breed of plastic tipped bullets, combined with the standard great cup and core regulars offered today you should not have much of an issue finding something that your rifle likes. Just don't get caught up in having to put it out at the peak of pressure and velocity. There are plenty of loads in the lower ranges which will actually out preform some of the top end ones. Velocity is great IF your using bullets that can handle it, or if your shooting a LONG ways. Even so, the modest loads will still reach out, and even with some of the more explosive type bullets, offer more controlled expansion at the lower velocities.

Also don't forget about the newer 140gr Accubond. I have three boxes of them which I purchased shortly after they came out I haven't even broken the seal on yet. I figured that once I run out of the Hornady 150's I would possibly switch over to them. Still if your looking for a mid weight bullet with a bit more energy than the 130 offered, but would still allow a bit more velocity, than possibly the 150, this would make a fine all around hunting bullet.
 
I've been using this for four years now, as my deer hunting load:
Primer Powder Grains Brass Bullet Grains COL
WLR H4831sc 58.0 Remington Hornady SP 130 3.210
 
I have 3 270's and each has a favorite load. My Browning likes 130 gr. Nosler BT's with 53.0 grs of IMR 4350. If I do my part this load will give me 3/4" groups at 100 yds. in this gun. My Winchester 70 likes Nosler 140 gr. BT's with 57 grs. of R-19. My Ruger 77RS seems to do best with 150 gr. Sierra GK's with 48 grs. of H4350 (took 3 NFLD Bull Moose with 1 shot each using this load).

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I have 3 270's and each has a favorite load. My Browning likes 130 gr. Nosler BT's with 53.0 grs of IMR 4350. If I do my part this load will give me 3/4" groups at 100 yds. in this gun. My Winchester 70 likes Nosler 140 gr. BT's with 57 grs. of R-19. My Ruger 77RS seems to do best with 150 gr. Sierra GK's with 48 grs. of H4350 (took 3 NFLD Bull Moose with 1 shot each using this load).

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Man don't you know that 270 is no where near enough gun to kill 3 Bull Moose?:what:

And those bullet aren't near fancy enough. You must upgrade at once!

Nice,
Wooly
 
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Vld's can be tricky but once dialed in hard to beat...use bergers twist rate calculator to make sure ur on the right path...i too perfer 130gr....for hunting anyway
 
150g Nosler BT, 55.5g H4831, CCI LR primer, R-P case. 2880FPS out of 24 inch barrel 1/2" groups if I do my part.
 
My best loads:

150g Hdy SST
59g H4831sc
OAL 3.34
CCI standard primer
2950fps

And...

160g Nos Partition
58g H4831sc
OAL 3.3
CCI standard primer
2820fps

Both loads are in Win brass and both will put 5 shots under moa. This is a 24 inch barrel. Note my rifle needs a bit more powder to reach these speeds than most 270 Win rifles. Seems my barrel might be slightly larger bore size and my chamber slightly larger which increases case capacity by about 1 and a bit grains.
 
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