Loading .270 without the rifle

[Ralt71]

Hello,
I've got a good one my Dad got me into last week. A friend of his bought a new rifle (Ruger American) in .270 and Dad offered me up to reload some rounds for his buddy. I won't have the gun here to test. I did get a measurement on the lands using a modified case and whatever bullet my brother had (he is supposed to let me know what it was soon).

here is my question. How would you approach loading for a rifle you don't have on hand to measure out, test, and dial in?

second part.. what are some solid .270 loads you all have used?

My last .270 load was as follows, but it was in a Winchester M70. 53.2g N160, WLR, Nosler brass, 130g AccuBond seated .035 off the lands CBTO.

It took a lot of playing with this load to get it sub moa. I started out with 140g and stepped down to get it to calm down. Because I had so much testing (3 pages of notes in my reload notebook) I am apprehensive about this load (or any) without the rifle here.

 

[jimbires]

I'd wait for the rifle . I'd be worried about making ammo and having to pull it apart . making ammo is fun , pulling it apart , not so much

 

[Guy Miner]

Factory match ammo usually produces very good results in a wide range of rifles - without having been worked up for each one specifically. For instance I'd go to some police SWAT sniper schools and competitions and almost everyone was using the famous Federal Gold Medal 168 or 175 grain MatchKing ammo. That stuff shot well in all sorts of 308's from different manufacturers, different barrel lengths etc... Beating the accuracy of that ammo led me down the rabbit hole of precision reloading 25+ years ago.

In other matches, up and down the firing line, dozens of competitors, almost all the 308 shooters were using some variant of 168 or 175 gr HPBT (Nosler or Sierra) and about 45 grains of Varget. That was for 600 yard prone competition, which I did a fair bit of for a number of years. That handload was modeled after the aforementioned factory match ammo and in some cases was likely a bit better.

Point is - yes - good ammo can be assembled without the exact rifle in hand. Will it be worked up specifically for an individual rifle? No. So, that gilt-edge accuracy you seek may not appear - but it will probably shoot pretty well.

I'd have suggested that the guy with the new 270 buy a few different kinds of quality factory ammo and see which it shot best, then go buy a case of that.

The Ruger Americans I've shot did rather well for a budget rifle. Modern design has some good points, other than just manufacturing economy. So accuracy potential is generally good.

If I got roped into making ammo for that 270... I'd select quality components and load to factory specs with all new brass. Full length sized. Factory loaded length. It absolutely has to function from his magazine and fit into the production chamber.

Then I'd go with a recognized accuracy load such as this from Nosler - and I wouldn't load it to the top level either. This is from Nosler's online load data using their 130 grain bullet. The combo of H4831 and a 130 grain bullet is time-respected as a great load for the 270 Winchester.


Optimal? Probably not, but likely good.

Alternate suggestions:
1) Do exactly as Jimbires said and wait until you can get your hands on that rifle.
2) Recommend some quality factory ammo for him.

Regards, Guy

 

[Ralt71]

I'd wait for the rifle . I'd be worried about making ammo and having to pull it apart . making ammo is fun , pulling it apart , not so much

I don't disagree at all. This means i would need to bring the rifle to me here in PA, or my reloading down to my Dad in TX. I know this is the better way, just wasn't sure if there was a work around as both of those options aren't the best.

 

[highoctane]

I normally do not make it a habit to load for anyone without the rifle in hand but I got roped into loading for a friend of a friends 7-08 many years ago. Without the rifle I knew it would be tough but knowing this person wasn't expecting light speed velocity nor atomic clock accuracy, I helped out.

Guy's post was spot on. As he suggested, I found a middle of the road load with the powder and bullet he had and loaded 5-6 rounds and gave them to this friend to try. A couple weeks later my friend told me that those loads shot really well, about an inch, and that the guy was satisfied. I loaded up 40 more for him.

 

[Joe C.]

Hello,
I've got a good one my Dad got me into last week. A friend of his bought a new rifle (Ruger American) in .270 and Dad offered me up to reload some rounds for his buddy. I won't have the gun here to test. I did get a measurement on the lands using a modified case and whatever bullet my brother had (he is supposed to let me know what it was soon).

here is my question. How would you approach loading for a rifle you don't have on hand to measure out, test, and dial in?

second part.. what are some solid .270 loads you all have used?

My last .270 load was as follows, but it was in a Winchester M70. 53.2g N160, WLR, Nosler brass, 130g AccuBond seated .035 off the lands CBTO.

It took a lot of playing with this load to get it sub moa. I started out with 140g and stepped down to get it to calm down. Because I had so much testing (3 pages of notes in my reload notebook) I am apprehensive about this load (or any) without the rifle here.

You have a lot of room to work with from 53.2 grains of N160. About 5 grains worth. What was your velocity with the 130gr AccuBond, as it seems like a very light load.

 

[Ralt71]

Factory match ammo usually produces very good results in a wide range of rifles - without having been worked up for each one specifically. For instance I'd go to some police SWAT sniper schools and competitions and almost everyone was using the famous Federal Gold Medal 168 or 175 grain MatchKing ammo. That stuff shot well in all sorts of 308's from different manufacturers, different barrel lengths etc... Beating the accuracy of that ammo led me down the rabbit hole of precision reloading 25+ years ago.

In other matches, up and down the firing line, dozens of competitors, almost all the 308 shooters were using some variant of 168 or 175 gr HPBT (Nosler or Sierra) and about 45 grains of Varget. That was for 600 yard prone competition, which I did a fair bit of for a number of years. That handload was modeled after the aforementioned factory match ammo and in some cases was likely a bit better.

Point is - yes - good ammo can be assembled without the exact rifle in hand. Will it be worked up specifically for an individual rifle? No. So, that gilt-edge accuracy you seek may not appear - but it will probably shoot pretty well.

I'd have suggested that the guy with the new 270 buy a few different kinds of quality factory ammo and see which it shot best, then go buy a case of that.

The Ruger Americans I've shot did rather well for a budget rifle. Modern design has some good points, other than just manufacturing economy. So accuracy potential is generally good.

If I got roped into making ammo for that 270... I'd select quality components and load to factory specs with all new brass. Full length sized. Factory loaded length. It absolutely has to function from his magazine and fit into the production chamber.

Then I'd go with a recognized accuracy load such as this from Nosler - and I wouldn't load it to the top level either. This is from Nosler's online load data using their 130 grain bullet. The combo of H4831 and a 130 grain bullet is time-respected as a great load for the 270 Winchester.
View attachment 28489

Optimal? Probably not, but likely good.

Alternate suggestions:
1) Do exactly as Jimbires said and wait until you can get your hands on that rifle.
2) Recommend some quality factory ammo for him.

Regards, Guy

Thanks much Guy, I certainly agree. I do not know what the conversation was that he and my Dad had to bring them to this conclusion. When I told Dad the appeal of reloading is dialing a round in for the exact rifle and the accuracy from it is having that exact rifle and this probably wasn't a good scenario to chase down he immediately differed and insisted I build something. I did measure lands with an OAl gauge and modified case, I measured the mag, and measured the sight height. I also wrote down barrel length, twist etc.. I personally am not a fan of most Ruger stuff and the budget guns are such a wild card I usually do not like messing with them haha. Nothing about this is exciting for me for sure lol. I do appreciate the input on using a factory round as a guide and also the H4831SC recommendation as i was going to use IMR4350 and a 130g bullet because I have a lot of IMR4350 on the shelf and don't use it in most of my loads. To ensure I get the most out of this "shot in the dark" I may buy the powder you have recommended though. I was also thinking about going with the TTSX in 130g but realize that may not be the best route here. They are typically very consistent and do a great job on game, but the mono's also seem to carry more pressure.

 

[Ralt71]

I normally do not make it a habit to load for anyone without the rifle in hand but I got roped into loading for a friend of a friends 7-08 many years ago. Without the rifle I knew it would be tough but knowing this person wasn't exactly expecting match grade accuracy I helped out. Guy's post was spot on. As he suggested, I found a middle of the road load with the powder and bullet he had and loaded 5-6 rounds and gave them to this friend to try.

A couple weeks later my friend told me that those loads shot really well, about an inch, and that the guy was satisfied. I loaded up 40 more for him.

Almost exact same boat I am in here. My Dad's friend is a leisure hunter and only after whitetail and hogs. I don't know if he will ever shoot the gun at paper and is after hunting groups. If he was after precision I would absolutely require the gun here with me. You did say something I do really think is a good idea. I am going back down the week of 2/8 to do some pest control on hogs. I may load up 9 rounds and take them with me to shoot. Slots of three with different makes. I know 3 won't tell me it's for sure good, but 3 will tell me it's for sure bad. I'll start at middle of the road as well. No border line top charges in this instance for sure.

 

[JD338]

What Guy said. Without the rifle, it's just a guess.
If you are going to load, start out with virgin brass, load to SAAMI spec COAL and stay away from the warm loads.
The classic powder for the 270 Win is H4831SC so that would be a good starting point.

JD338

 

[wvbuckbuster]

I agree with the others that having the rifle in hand is what works the best. Powders mentioned are good so is IMR4831. Has worked well in 4-5 270s I've personally loaded for. Being your father's friend is that far away, and it was mentioned try some factory loads, how about finding someone closer to load for him? Just a thought.

 

[Firebird24]

I’ve done load work ups for two .270 rifles in the past two years. One ended up shooting the Speer grand slam 130 using 7828 ssc, F/C brass. That was a mossberg rifle.
The other was a custom rifle and we ended up using H4831 sc and the nosler 130 AccuBond, also F/C brass. I would
Not start loading for a rifle without that rifle in hand.
I don’t often use fc brass. I had gotten a bunch of it somewhere so that’s what we used-

 

[hunter24605]

I think I would politely ask what outcome they’re looking for? If it’s top notch accuracy, they may be better off with retail ammo with a reputation for accuracy, and explain the fact that without the rifle in hand, developing a stellar load would be nearly impossible and the end product could potentially be less accurate than what’s available already.

 

[Ralt71]

I agree with the others that having the rifle in hand is what works the best. Powders mentioned are good so is IMR4831. Has worked well in 4-5 270s I've personally loaded for. Being your father's friend is that far away, and it was mentioned try some factory loads, how about finding someone closer to load for him? Just a thought.

I certainly tried to differ, one of my little brothers live in the same town and the other is the next town over. Both of them reload as well, just aren't as far along in the reloading venture as I am. Either of them would have been able to put together what is wanted here for sure.

 

[RL338]

Too many variables to go wrong with building a load without rifle in hand. The first problem is what brass is being used , new or 1x. With sizing brass without the rifle could lead to tight closing bolt due to lack of shoulder bump. First thing I do with any new load is to work up a pressure ladder to find the max.
As mentioned before he might be better off picking up a couple different factory loads to try first.

 

[Backcast88]

I think I would politely ask what outcome they’re looking for? If it’s top notch accuracy, they may be better off with retail ammo with a reputation for accuracy, and explain the fact that without the rifle in hand, developing a stellar load would be nearly impossible and the end product could potentially be less accurate than what’s available already.

I think this would be the way to handle it.

As others have said, there are a lot of variables to overcome without the rifle being present.

But it loading is what ends up happening, 4831sc and a 140 bullet is what I would load. Or the n160 and 130gr you found success with can be a clue as well. Might need a little different seating depth or powder charge, but could be something worth trying if it comes to it.

But in this case, I think factory ammo would be the best option for all parties involved.

 

[Ralt71]

Too many variables to go wrong with building a load without rifle in hand. The first problem is what brass is being used , new or 1x. With sizing brass without the rifle could lead to tight closing bolt due to lack of shoulder bump. First thing I do with any new load is to work up a pressure ladder to find the max.
As mentioned before he might be better off picking up a couple different factory loads to try first.

He would without a doubt be better off just buying a factory round, especially for his expectations haha... but I'm past that part unfortunately lol.

I have his once fired brass with me and I ordered new Norma brass earlier today (it's in stock at my LFS and not Hornady or Winchester stuff). I have his lands measurement and what will fit in his mag. I'm going to measure out some factory ammo and set my coal to a very similar spec.

I'll be back down there 2/9. I'm going to load up three sets of three and take with me. Shoot them in his gun while I'm there, if the results are no good, I'll pay the fee and ship it to me here at home to do the load development the correct way. If one of those three happen to be what I need, I'll load up the rest in that spec and send it. Less than ideal, I know.. just trying to figure out the best way possible to make it work.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

He would without a doubt be better off just buying a factory round, especially for his expectations haha... but I'm past that part unfortunately lol.

I have his once fired brass with me and I ordered new Norma brass earlier today (it's in stock at my LFS and not Hornady or Winchester stuff). I have his lands measurement and what will fit in his mag. I'm going to measure out some factory ammo and set my coal to a very similar spec.

I'll be back down there 2/9. I'm going to load up three sets of three and take with me. Shoot them in his gun while I'm there, if the results are no good, I'll pay the fee and ship it to me here at home to do the load development the correct way. If one of those three happen to be what I need, I'll load up the rest in that spec and send it. Less than ideal, I know.. just trying to figure out the best way possible to make it work.

Well, at least this way you will get to try some loads in said rifle before loading in the dark. Hope it works out for you and him.

 

[West Fork]

What Guy said. Without the rifle, it's just a guess.
If you are going to load, start out with virgin brass, load to SAAMI spec COAL and stay away from the warm loads.
The classic powder for the 270 Win is H4831SC so that would be a good starting point.

JD338

All of this^^^

No way would I try to load for somebody else’s rifle without measuring distance to lands myself.

FL size, moderate load, factory COAL……

 

[IdahoCTD]

The last 270 I owned shot 55grs of IMR4350 with 130 Partitions under 1/2".

 

[Guy Miner]

Ya - if you've got one of the 4350's on hand - that's a great powder too...

Guy