Reloading Rifle Rounds (.270 Win)

[ngaither]

I'm about to start reloading for a new 700 that I just bought and I don't know where to begin. I have been reloading handgun ammo now for a couple of years now and I do understand the process of putting a round together. When I load handgun rounds I pick common powders and primers that will work for lots of different calibers because I just wanted to always have ammo when I needed it. But now that I want to start reloading for a rifle I want to build a round that is more custom and ACCURATE for this rifle to go hunting with. The problem is with all the variables (Bullets, Powder, Primers, etc.) I just don't know where to begin.

 

[rcmodel]

Some manuals, like the Lyman #49 for instance, list the most accurate load tested with each bullet weight.

In .270 they list 7 bullet weights from four different manufactures, and 10 - 12 powders for each one.

Good a place as any to start picking components.

rc

 

[loadedround]

Either H or IMR4350 and a quality 130 gr bullet such as the Nosler or Sierra would be a good place to start. That's the combo I use in my Ruger 1B.

 

[JimKirk]

I have had very good results with IMR 4350, IMR4831 & Reloder 19 using 130 Sierra GMK BT.
Find a bullet that you gun shoots good, then work with the above powders to fine tune an accurate load.

 

[Ol` Joe]

Slow powders, say one of the 4350s or slower with 130 gr bullets is what most use in their 270s. H4831 with a good 130 gr is a classic load.
I like R22 with 140 gr BTSP in mine, but each rifle has its own preference.

 

[nastynatesfish]

56-57gr of reloader 19 under 130 gr nosler bt and a cci large rifle primer is a great load for my brother in law

 

[ArtP]

I too reload for the 270 win. Sierra's manual, like the Lyman, list an accuracy load and hunting load. I suppose the hunting load might give up a small amount of accuracy for top velocity. Anyway, Sierra lists Reloader 22 as the powder of choice for both accuracy and hunting. That's certainly promising.

You'll also notice in your manual, the ten or so powders listed are sorted by I believe burn rate and the amount of charge required to give a specific velocity. This is strictly hunch - but all other things being equal I would pick powders two/three or so powders evenly spaced in the list, so that if you're trying more than one powder you're getting enough of a difference to matter. Of course if you're loading for another caliber as well, being cross compatible is more important.

Couple other tidbits of advice...

The most accurate load is usually not the fastest load - at least for me. Don't be afraid to try charges equally spaced, throughout the useable range of charge/velocity. In 270, I start 1 grain apart and further refine by .3 grains based on results of the first test. Without looking at the book I might try charges like 51.2, 52.2, 53.2, 54.2, 55.2 to start.

I have found it best to stick with one quality primer. When I have needed to change primers (no stock for example), I usually have to fine tune the load again but can regain the accuracy I had with the previous primer.

As a handloader you have the ability to make cartridges as long or short as you wish. Getting the bullet closer to the lands usualy results in better accuracy while causing higher pressure too. Might be a good idea to google this topic. Try googling "seating lands COL"

Above all else, I have found that the brand and weight of the bullet play the biggest role in accuracy. Sierra has been very good to me, so has Hornady. Others have found their rifles like Noslers or another brand. No way to tell without experimenting.

Good luck, and try not to get addicted to accuracy beyond what is practical.

 

[doorman]

I have been reloading for my Rem 700 for about 1 1/2 years. I settled on H4350 with a Nosler AccuTip in new Nosler Brass for hunting. I also purchased a Hornaday Case Lenth Gauge and Comparator. I take five random bullets from the box and measure the length to the lands and average those. I started at .02 off the lands and worked closer to the lands .005 at a time. I settled .01 off the lands. I then cycled these in the rifle to verify function and checked the top of the bullet to be sure that they were not jammed into the rifling.

I did not list powder weights since that is something you will need to determine what works best in your rifle.

RU

 

[EMC45]

I have a Remington 700 .270 as well. It is the ADL with blind mag and polymer stock. It came with a Bushnell Sportview 3-9 on it (WalMart package gun I presume) I load 130gr. Speer Hot Cor Spire Soft Points over 54gr. IMR 4350, lit with a CCI LRP. This is an accurate load. Very accurate. I bought it used and when I bought it it had shot a total of 7 rounds. I took off the ridiculous over under see-through scope rings and mounted the scope in some Weaver rings. Dropped the trigger pull down considerably and shot it. Shoots real well. I just recently loaded up some more 130gr. ammo, but with Sierra BT GKs. Same powder and primer.

 

[CoRoMo]

I started with spent factory brass, from the box the dealer gave me when I bought the rifle. I used that box to sight in the scope. Then I acquired several hundred once-fired shells off GunBroker. Just choose one powder and one primer, but start out with a few different bullets of the same weight because the vast majority of good accuracy comes from the projectile. More than powders, primers, and brass influence it. So you'll need to find out which bullet shoots best through that particular barrel.

I went with 4831 powder, Winchester primers, and a couple different brands/types of 130gr bullet. My gun didn't shoot Core-Lokts as well as it did Hornady Interlocks. The later bullet, it can shoot really well. I have a couple hundred 130gr Core-Lokts that won't get loaded for the long range shooting. I'll just load them to kill elk and deer at shorter ranges until they are all used up.

 

[GICO]

I agree with CoRoMo best accuracy comes from the projectile ... find out which projectile your barrel likes the best. Sometimes it takes lots of testing. Record all your rounds and groupings well so you don't get them mixed up. My .270 grouped OK with a whole range of different brands but shot Federals bullet onto bullet ... there is no boubt when you see that kind of pattern. Then find the right balance of powder / bullet weight that suits what you want to shoot. In my .270 I found the higher powder weight had less accuracy and had to find something in between.
Even though I have worked out the load that works best for my gun I still like to experiment ... this weekend I am trying out some horandy and sierra projectiles mainly becuase the Horandy offer good stopping power and the seirra offer lighter projectiles for small game.