Well I loaded up 50 shells for my son's .270 Win. using 52 grains RL 19 and 150 grain Hornady SP.He is shooting at Caldwell 5 1/2" targets at 70 yds. His shots are in the black and jumping up and down. None of these shots are not grouping in the center. The C.O.A.L was 3.250" I also loaded up a second box of 50 and the bullet was seated a little deeper and after shooting half of this box he is getting the same results at 70 yds. What might be causing this? Any help will be appreciated. He would like to get 2" grouping in the center or better.
.270 Win. problem
- Thread starter spires5d
- Start date
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 18,160
- 7,985
spires5d":397ati4w said:
Are the shots grouping in the center or not? I can't tell from these sentences.
Do you have a photo of the target? That might be helpful.
How much experience with powerful center-fire rifles does he have? Is your son 30 or 13?
Please... More info. Sounds like a shooter problem, but I don't know if he's accustomed to shooting small groups with a potent hunting rifle or not...
Also for load testing, I DON'T recommend starting with boxes of 50... A few cartridges yes. 50? No, that's for once the load is proven.
Regards, Guy
At 70 yards even a fairly ordinary rifle/load combo should group under 1.5 inches.
If he is an inexperienced shooter - regardless of age - shooting groups with a 270 Win shooting 150g bullets is a big ask. It is not easy to shoot small groups!
What are his groups like with a 22 LR or similar?
Would like to help you. It doesn't really sound like a load problem. The load itself sounds within reasonable parameters. FWIW I seat the 150 Interlock out past the cannelure at an OAL around 3.33 or so, but your OAL is probably not the issue.
If he is an inexperienced shooter - regardless of age - shooting groups with a 270 Win shooting 150g bullets is a big ask. It is not easy to shoot small groups!
What are his groups like with a 22 LR or similar?
Would like to help you. It doesn't really sound like a load problem. The load itself sounds within reasonable parameters. FWIW I seat the 150 Interlock out past the cannelure at an OAL around 3.33 or so, but your OAL is probably not the issue.
FWIW, I'm with Guy and the others.
Pics would be great and a big help.
50 is a bunch to load up on an unproven load. 3-5 of differing weight charges to find a sweet spot would be my way, then adjust the seating on whatever the rifle likes.
No offense intended, but if he's cranking out a bunch out of the 50 you loaded, you have lots of possibilities there. A flinch would be one of the first. Nobody likes getting whalloped multiple times. A mild twitch or jiggle is going to spray bullets on target. Second, barrel heat is going to probably change POI on you if you're firing pretty quickly.
Let us know what the target looks like, how much time you allow between shots, what other loads you've tried and those results, etc.
Sorry for the ramble but there's a lot going on with shooting a target.
Pics would be great and a big help.
50 is a bunch to load up on an unproven load. 3-5 of differing weight charges to find a sweet spot would be my way, then adjust the seating on whatever the rifle likes.
No offense intended, but if he's cranking out a bunch out of the 50 you loaded, you have lots of possibilities there. A flinch would be one of the first. Nobody likes getting whalloped multiple times. A mild twitch or jiggle is going to spray bullets on target. Second, barrel heat is going to probably change POI on you if you're firing pretty quickly.
Let us know what the target looks like, how much time you allow between shots, what other loads you've tried and those results, etc.
Sorry for the ramble but there's a lot going on with shooting a target.
OU812
Handloader
- Apr 18, 2006
- 2,101
- 3
Not much to add as the guys have things pretty well covered. One thing I'm not seeing is that have you shot the rifle? If so how does it group for you? Same issue as your son or something entirely different group wise?
- Thread starter
- #8
I haven't shot the rifle myself,but my son is getting 5 inch groups at 70 yds. I asked him if he was shooting a hot barrel which I think might be some of his problem. I've some Sierra 150 bt's that I am going to load 10 for him with IMR 4350 powder and see if that helps any. Also I am going to load 10 shells at 48 grains of IMR 4350 powder and see if it will help him. He has not been able to get 1.5 groups at all on target and I have been wondering if his barrel might be moving in a synthetic stock. I might try loading up 10 rounds for myself and see how I come out. Thanks ya'll for all the help and I will get back to ya'll on this. AGAIN THANKS.
OU812
Handloader
- Apr 18, 2006
- 2,101
- 3
spires5d":2odo8kj4 said:
5 inch at 70 is pretty bad. Have you check all scope mount/base screws and action screws for tightness? That would be my first step before going any farther. Have you tried any factory ammo to see what it does compared to handloads?
RiverRider
Handloader
- Dec 9, 2008
- 1,472
- 142
OU812":3tebch7t said:
Yup. Could be a bad scope, too.
Horsethief
Handloader
- Jul 5, 2012
- 355
- 15
All the identified items on the rifle need to be checked for proper tension, no doubt. A 5" group makes me think the shooting technique needs work. A 270 with a 150gn bullet is quite a thump on the shoulder. Flinching, anticipating recoil, bad trigger squeeze, cheek/eye alignment on the stock for sight picture and breathing control all need to be honed. Shooting with a 22 rimfire (if you can find the ammo) is a good place to work on technique, especially trigger control and breathing control. Keep us posted.
