Rifle Load Development

[capreppy]

I am developing loads for 270 Winchester. I've got two powders I am working with:
IMR 4831 (Hornady's manual lists this as the most accurate powder)
H4350 (recommended by more than a few folks for the 270 Winchester).

Bullet: Hornady 130gr Interlocks
Brass: Winchester Headstamp
Primer: CCI #200 (LRP)

How many rounds should I develop for each step? 3 or 5?

 

[kingmt]

Yes. If your asking I suggest 5 to help rule out variables.

I normally only do 3 each to see if I want to mess with a cretin powder/bullet combo. other testing or tweaking happen on another day.

 

[redbullitt]

I usually use 4 lol : )

Then once you get down closer to where you want to be you can nit pick a little more with 5 shot groups and I usually throw in an 8 shot to finalize.

 

[capreppy]

When I did my load development for pistol, I did quite a few, but it is also significantly cheaper to do so. Rifle load development isn't that cheap

I'll start with 4 of each ladder (only doing 4 ladders for each powder). Once I narrow the powder level that is most accurate, I'll do another set of 5 at 0.5 grain increments (most accurate and .5 grain above and below) to find the sweet spot.

I think my biggest issue will be wind while shooting. I don't know when was the last time we had a day when we didn't have at least 15 mph winds.

 

[gamestalker]

That's an excellent combination of bullet and powder's for the .270 win. I also like working with RL19. The nice thing about the .270 win. is it isn't all that tempermental so long as the powder is a relatively slow burner.
I would do your work up in 3 round increments, and then finalize with a series of 5 shot groups when you've arrived at the pressures and velocitiy your comfortable with. I would doubt you'll have to do much tweaking with the load you finish with.

 

[capreppy]

Hopefully I can take these to the range tomorrow. After I zeroed the scope in a couple of weeks ago, I was able to shoot 3/8 MOA w/3 Winchester factory rounds. I'm hoping to at least match that with these loads and obviously would be happy if I could better that. Definitely looking to do that with a 5 shot string.

 

[TheCracker]

I would load 3 of each charge. Then re reload 5 of the best group or 2 groups if there were 2 that were very close.

I've also had better luck letting the barrel cool all the way down between shots. That will give you a more realistic view of the load and makes more sense for a hunting load anyway since 90% of the time your kill shots will be cold bore shots.

My 270 loves h4831sc with the 130's.

 

[supercalvin56]

my M70 270 likes IMR 4831 pushing a 130 Sierra flatbase....
it will always shoot 3/4 inch and usual less.

 

[little cleo]

I agree with most on here about the 130 gr bullets for .270. If you got the extra cash I would try 130 accubonds also. They are very very accurate in my .270 with 60 grs of H4831sc w/CCI LRP. But mine also likes interlocks and hot-core 130gr bullets w/H4831sc. I once read that if your .270 can't group 130 gr bullets w/60 grs of H4831sc. SELL IT!!!! I almost believe it. I want to try and go a little hotter and go to 61 and maybe 62 grs of H4831. I bought the new Hornady book and they have max at 62. But I will work up. I had some good groups last yr that I want to work on with L19 and 130 gr bullets. My advice don't use sst or ballistic tips for hunting . Their is alot better bullet our there. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[capreppy]

The Hornady bullets are the free ones

I was planning to pick up some Sierra 130gr GameKings, but Cabela's doesn't have them and I wanted immediate satisfaction. When I can get a hold of some, I'll work those up as well.

 

[[email protected]]

Im like little cleo on the H4831sc but my load uses 58.6 grains instead of 60 with 130 grain hornadys. I also use winchester brass. I tried cci primers with good results but I like the winchesters better for no supported reason.

 

[capreppy]

Loads have been developed. I'll be shooting them on Friday morning. Hopefully the winds that are being forecasted aren't an issue. Tomorrow is supposed to be REALLY nice, but my buddy is only free Friday.

 

[41 Mag]

capreppy,

Good luck on that wind letting up. I was up at our place near Palestine over the weekend, and the grandson and I did a bit of loading and shooting. About all the advice I can give you is, if you already have the rifle zeroed, leave the scope alone and simply shoot groups with your handloads. Don't sweat where they are until the wind dies. You can still shoot a good group in the wind, but if you change your scope setting then your right back to not knowing what does what. Also at 100yds your not going to see a whole lot of dispersion due to the wind, unless it is blowing directly across your line of fire.

I know this is only a fouling round and two shots for group, but with this rifle I know things are where they are supposed to be. I shot them last Friday at 250yds in the gusting winds we were having.


I zeroed this load last August for my daughter at 250 so I know not to screw with the scope right now. With no wind I will verify it once again at this range. I know the load shoots groups like this all the time, so where they hit on this particular target on this particular day is fine with me. Seeing how the board was flopping back and fourth in the wind, as well as the gust I was timing with the weeds, I'm happy.

 

[capreppy]

I zeroed this rifle only a few weeks ago. With factory ammo, it can do 3/8 MOA. I'm just looking to mirror that (or better). I've got factory ammo for my fouling rounds.