270 WSM Ladder Test with Sierra 140G GameChanged Tip

Pineman

Beginner
Dec 20, 2021
92
135
Love my 270 WSM. Worked up a good load with 150g Hornady InterBonds for cow elk and thought I should try for a good 140G thin skinned load. Used Vit N560 and did a 12 shot ladder test and the whole group size was 1.326 with an average velocity of 3215fps. Next step is a few 3 shot groups to dial it in. Just trying to give the 270WSM some love.. U tubers love the 6.8 Western and 6.5 PRC and think the 270WSM is a dying cartridge. That's ok with me cause it fills my freezer in the fall.
 
You should have something to work with in that top cluster of bullets. I almost went with the 270 WSM but then the 6.8 Western came out. Still have dies for it and was thinking the other day a Browning BLR would be quite nice to own. It certainly is a fine cartridge and gets lots of speed with 130-150 gr bullets.

Hope you share with us what you end up for a load. Sierra makes some great bullets.
 
I am on my second 270 WSM and really like the cartridge.
My current is the LH Browning X Bolt All Weather and it prefers the Federal Premium 140 gr Trophy Bonded Tip ammo; 0.396" groups at 100 yards at 3156 fps from my rifle's 23" barrel.
It also likes the Nosler 140 gr AccuBond ammo with groups of 0.565" at 100 yards at 3073 fps.
While I prefer the AccuBond bullet for hunting, the Trophy Bonded Tip performed well on a young caribou bull at 210 yards.
I have always liked the compromise of the 140 .277" bullets for velocity as compared to the 150 gr bullets, and penetration and retained energy due to it's better BC and SD than the 130.

While the newer 6.8 has advantages that many today desire for long range shooting, as I am a hunter (that has rarely shot more than 350 yards over the past 38 years), the 270 WSM provides all that I need for most of my hunting where I will use this rifle/bullet combination. If I need more, I have other rifle/cartridge combinations that will provide the additional required capacity (larger caliber, mass, and velocity).

I look forward to your final load for your 140 gr Game Changer, and your on-game performance results.
 
Update: Went to range today to fine tune my initial 12 shot ladder test with Vit N560. I think I have found the one my Tikka likes. Average velocity was 3304 with no pressure signs. This will be by deer load for this fall.
 
Pics from range
Update: Went to range today to fine tune my initial 12 shot ladder test with Vit N560. I think I have found the one my Tikka likes. Average velocity was 3304 with no pressure signs. This will be by deer load for this fall.
 
It's not just me then. Well, the best group could be covered up with a dime and measured 0.162. One big ragged hole and 3 other 3 shot groups under 0.70 so it likes this powder and bullet.
 
Excellent speed and accuracy by the sounds of it. Should shoot flat and hit hard way out there.
 
I’ve got the results from a few ladders I fired for my 270 WSM to shoot tomorrow. I’ll be chronoing the loads and seeing if there is a certain seating depth it likes with each. I have E-Tip loads with Staball HD, 6.5, and IMR4831 to try, and a 130gr Partition load with Staball HD to chrono and find the seating depth it prefers. I'm interested to see what kind of velocity and accuracy Staball HD gives with the E-Tips. I’m also going to be putting the first rounds through a 308 Win I just put a McGowen barrel, and a PT&G bolt head on. It’s going to be in the 90’s tomorrow so I’ll be taking the chamber chiller along for sure.
 
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