Loading .270 without the rifle

[highoctane]

I don't own one now but have owned several 270's over the years and was partial to 150 gr bullets and RL-22, of course I did use my share both versions of 4831 though.

 

[Ralt71]

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.

It's a long shot, I'm very aware of that. Whatever is the driving factor in the two of them wanting me to do this must be a strong one

 

[SJB358]

I did similar years ago. Basically loaded 375 H&H and 300 Wby for a close friend who lived in Idaho when I lived in Virginia. I sent him test loads with a few different charges of the most accurate powders under 260 PTs for the 375 and 180 BTs for the 300.

My buddy got the loads and shot them on paper noting what each charge did. Accuracy was luckily enough, fairly decent across the board. We picked the most accurate charge with each one and I made up 100 rounds of each.

All the rounds were loaded to book lengths in new brass.

As far as I know I think he is still shooting the ammo I loaded so many years ago.

It is not the best case but for my buddy it’s been more than good enough.

 

[Joe C.]

57 grains of IMR4831 with a 130gr NBT has been the accuracy load for 3 different 270’s I’ve owned through the years. It’s a nice load to factory specs, 3000 fps, not a red line load.

 

[Ralt71]

I did similar years ago. Basically loaded 375 H&H and 300 Wby for a close friend who lived in Idaho when I lived in Virginia. I sent him test loads with a few different charges of the most accurate powders under 260 PTs for the 375 and 180 BTs for the 300.

My buddy got the loads and shot them on paper noting what each charge did. Accuracy was luckily enough, fairly decent across the board. We picked the most accurate charge with each one and I made up 100 rounds of each.

All the rounds were loaded to book lengths in new brass.

As far as I know I think he is still shooting the ammo I loaded so many years ago.

It is not the best case but for my buddy it’s been more than good enough.

This is essentially what I did on the test loads and what I am hoping for. I leave for TX on 2/8. I have three batches of test rounds and each batch has 3 rounds in it. I went moderate on all three and cam .01 less than max on the book spec. We shall see what results this yields and make adjustments. If it's not what I want and I'm way off, I'll just pay to have the gun sent to me.

 

[Ralt71]

57 grains of IMR4831 with a 130gr NBT has been the accuracy load for 3 different 270’s I’ve owned through the years. It’s a nice load to factory specs, 3000 fps, not a red line load.

I appreciate this detail. This is what i was hoping for when i made the post and a few have provided that. I used this data as a reference for starting out on these. I know it's a long shot in the dark, but I'm hoping for acceptable results.

 

[Joe C.]

These may help as well…..

 

[Ralt71]

These may help as well…..
View attachment 28544

I pulled all the different load references online for and in my physical manuals as well. I referenced Speer, Berger, Nosler, and Hodgdons data for 130's. I looked at similarity's and ruled out any oddities from each manual. All of that is great data. I was hoping to compare it to real world figures from other's guns, which I have now done too.

 

[Joe C.]

In addition, I was getting 3127 fps from a 24” barrel, with 130gr Partitions loaded over 56 grains of Staball 6.5.
130gr E-Tips at 3150 fps loaded over 61 grains of RL26. Work up carefully with E-Tips, they will build pressure very quickly.
Lastly, I was getting 3060 fps with 145gr ELDX loaded over Hornady book max charge of IMR4831. Always work up.

 

[mjcmichigan]

I’d probably start by getting some top notch brass, ie Norma, Lapua… maybe starline if they are on a budget. I’d get some Nosler Ballistic Tips in 130 gn (assuming white tail).

I found RL17 and H4831sc capable of 2-5fps for SD with starline and Norma brass in my pre64 model 70. RL17 54.1 grains was driving Barnes TSX at 3150 fps (federal primer and SD2-3fps) and H4831 drove the NBT at 3050 in the starline brass with SD 7fps). Use a dry graphite lube on the bullet base to keep concentricity low.

You can’t mess with setting depth until you have the gun.

Almost forgot, H414 also produced very low SD’s.

Finding 270 win to be a dream finding good loads.

If you’d like some Hornady Interlock bullets, I received a pile with the gun. Dm me and we can work something out(maybe postage)

 

[Ralt71]

I’d probably start by getting some top notch brass, ie Norma, Lapua… maybe starline if they are on a budget. I’d get some Nosler Ballistic Tips in 130 gn (assuming white tail).

I found RL17 and H4831sc capable of 2-5fps for SD with starline and Norma brass in my pre64 model 70. RL17 54.1 grains was driving Barnes TSX at 3150 fps (federal primer and SD2-3fps) and H4831 drove the NBT at 3050 in the starline brass with SD 7fps). Use a dry graphite lube on the bullet base to keep concentricity low.

You can’t mess with setting depth until you have the gun.

Almost forgot, H414 also produced very low SD’s.

Finding 270 win to be a dream finding good loads.

If you’d like some Hornady Interlock bullets, I received a pile with the gun. Dm me and we can work something out(maybe postage)

Thank you for the detail! I grabbed some brass and bullets a few days ago and put some test loads together. Norma brass, hot core 130g bullets. If this doesn’t go in the right direction I may reach out to you and see what we can work out on interlocks. They are a consistent bullet!

 

[mjcmichigan]

I’d expect hot core to do great!

 

[Blkram]

Honestly, from the conversation of the rifle owner's intended use, the best option is Guy's suggestion of:

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.

I have shot a couple Ruger American rifles over the years for others (nne for an uncle that bought a rifle for his sxs so his "pretty" Ruger stainless laminate rifle wouldn't get beat up), and found the Federal blue box 150 gr ammo (intended for moose) to produce sub-MOA accuracy in both. Since there is no guarantee that any rifle will perform as another of the same make, model, and even batch made in consecutive order, he will need to determine what his intended use is and select the appropriate factory ammo that will best serve that purpose (e.g., 130 gr cup and core spitzer for deer, 140 gr bonded bullet for a wider selection of big game, or a 150 gr sup and core for deer and hogs, or a mono metal if required). Test the various factory ammunition types best suited, to determine the one that performs best in his rifle.

IF he doesn't find a factory load that will produce his desired accuracy levels, or velocity and retained energy for the targeted game, AND you still do not have the rifle in hand, at least you will better idea of his, and the rifle's, preferred bullet make and weight, and preferred velocity range to duplicate with handloads. From there, stick to starting with the manufacture's COAL and recommended loads in their reloading guide.

Notes of caution to consider; If the guy does not handload, once you develop a load, they are likely to insist that you continue to produce handloads for them. Or are you only supplying the data for him to have someone else produce for him?
Do you want to go there? Are your brothers willing to take this on once you have developed a load for this guy?
And do you want to take on the risk and liability of a lawsuit if something should go wrong with your handloaded ammunition you have supplied him? Always something to keep in mind! Ammo companies pay big dollars for their insurance to reduce this risk and liability; can you afford that?
Do not want to deter you here, as it is always nice to help out others...and we do not often stop to think about such things when helping someone...but it is such a litigious society that we live in today, this should not be overlooked.
May never happen. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.