Oh My! .270 Win, 150 CTBST, IMR 7828 ssc

[NYDAN]

Last week I posted some targets I shot using Reloader 22 and the 150 gr. CTBST bullet. I thought the load was looking pretty good.

What I didn't post was a target where I burned five loads with the 150 gr. ABLR with IMR 7828ssc. I had some good success with that combination last fall but I started getting some bad fliers and switched to factory loads for the hunting season. I am guessing that I wasn't getting the bullet perfectly aligned in the cases. After hunting season I switched to trying the 150 gr. CTBST with RL22. Anyway when I burned up the loads, I had three shots through the same hole and two flyers. (1.3" group)

After seeing the group with the 150 gr. ABLR and the IMR 7828ssc last week I decided to try a group with the 150 gr. CTBST and the IMR 7828 ssc. I assumed that the CTBST would be less sensitive than the ABLR to alignment issues.

I shot a four shot group this afternoon and had one elongated hole from three shots and another hole within .4" C/C. I think it may be one of the best groups I have ever shot.

I will post the target when I can make an image at work on Monday.

Now I am really anxious to verify the load but I am really low on bullets. I have some on backorder but they are not promised for delivery until month from now.

 

[JD338]

Dan,

Sounds like you found Utopia.
Way to go buddy.

JD338

 

[Vince]

Dan,
I'm getting a 1.30" load in my .338 and looking for better. You have confirmed for me how critical the right powder is. I think I'm going to try IMR 4831 and see if I can get a little tighter group with the Accubonds.
Congrats on a great group. I look forward to seeing the pictures.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Starting out with shooting a .338 WM is not particularly easy. When I bought my first .338 WM, a Browning High Power in 1968, I struggled with it during the first few range trips. First, I got a cut over my eye from the scope. Plus, having inexplicable flyers in every 5 shot group that I just could not explain. This was after shooting a 7mm Rem Mag for 5 years.

Finally, I just learned to roll with it and let it do what it wants, recoil-wise but hang on to the rifle, get your breathing and hold on the stock consistently and make sure that every bullet leaves the barrel with the same hold, breathing and trigger control. Then you will control it. Accuracy will come with practice.

 

[DrMike]

It is always gratifying (to say nothing about the elation we experience) when a good load comes together. Sounds as if you found that load. Congratulations.

 

[pre6422hornet]

Oh boy you ain't kidding. Impressive. I just love the .270 win and I have yet to find one that wasn't very accurate. I am looking forward to you getting out and repeating the load!

 

[FOTIS]

Velocity?

 

[NYDAN]

Fotis, with 57.5 gr. and with an OAL of 3.382" (about .030" bullet jump) I had the following velocities:

2861
2886
2886
2911

The four shot average is 2886. However, in my limited exerience, I have seen with these CT bullets that the first shot tends to have lower velocity than the following shots. Maybe it takes one round to "coat" the bore with the black coating.

The last three shot average is 2894.

I want to try another 1/2 grain the next time I load some cartridges. I would like to get 2900 like I do with the RL22.

However, I don't want to lose the accuracy I achieved with this load.

 

[gerry]

It looks like you are there, close to 2900 fps with excellent accuracy is a great place to be.

 

[DrMike]

Fotis, with 57.5 gr. and with an OAL of 3.382" (about .030" bullet jump) I had the following velocities:

2861
2886
2886
2911

The four shot average is 2886. However, in my limited exerience, I have seen with these CT bullets that the first shot tends to have lower velocity than the following shots. Maybe it takes one round to "coat" the bore with the black coating.

The last three shot average is 2894.

I want to try another 1/2 grain the next time I load some cartridges. I would like to get 2900 like I do with the RL22.

However, I don't want to lose the accuracy I achieved with this load.

That is more than adequate for deer and black bear.

 

[NYDAN]

That is more than adequate for deer and black bear.

Ah, the voice of reason and sanity. Dr. Mike, thank you for bringing me back to reality. You are, of course, perfectly correct. With this kind of accuracy, there is no sense in chasing a few feet per second.

 

[FOTIS]

Nice