Load work for Ruger 270 Win, for Elk

[Roughwater]

Hi,

My hunting partner is on a budget and only has a Ruger 270 Winchester. I've been attempting to work up some 150 gn Elk loads for it. My goal is to get a 150 gn Matrix RBT bonded bullet flying as fast and accurately as possible within reason. Since the Matrix bullets are a bit pricy I have been using 150 gn Burger hunting VLD's for testing as I have some and they are cheaper.

My first problem is that I'm not seeing near the published velocities on my Chrony. I'm talking at least a 100 FPS below what I'm seeing in published data. I actually thought my Chrony was reading low so a bought a second one of a different brand and it read essentually the same so that's not the problem. I soon plan to borrow my hunting partner's Ruger but right now I am testing my loads with a Remington Model 700, 24" barrel, 270 Win. Like other Remington's it has a really long throat so I'm thinking it might be reducing pressure and velocity? I also use a forster neck bushing die on most loads and size the neck down as little as necessary and wonder if that might also reduce pressure? I have mostly tried the slower burning powders, H4831SC, RL-19, IMR 7828, Magpro, and I have some IMR 4831, RL-25 and H1000 but haven't tried those last 3 powders yet. We did try Magpro in his rifle and it didn't seem to like it at all though it looked like it could be promising velocity wise. I did however get good accuracy and velocity with the Magpro in my 270 WSM with the Burgers and even better with the few Matrix bullets I shot.

Any thoughts on the low velocity readings would be appreciated and maybe some suggestions on load work up for the powders I have on hand or any other would be useful. Thanks in advance.

Terry

 

[FEENIX]

Check out this out ... 270 Win For Long Range Shooting

165gr VLDs Matrix bullets are roughly the same price as Berge150gr VLDs.

BNG tested the Matrix bullets extensively, mostly in .270 WSM but I'm sure he's got a thing or two on the Win. Hopefully, he'll chime in.

 

[Roughwater]

Thanks FEENIX for the tip. Read the story "270 Win for long range shooting". Great story and looks like a great rifle he had build.

My friends 270 only has the 22" barrel with 1/10 twist so am looking more at the Matrix 150 gn RBT Bonded bullet for my friends 270. I reloaded (5) 270 Win bullets today using max published loads and 150 gr bullets with Norma cases to see what the actual velocity would be using Magpro, IMR-4831, IMR 4350, H1000 and RL-19. Will head to the range today and see what they Chrony. I suspect the Magpro will win the speed test but we'll see.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Never thought I'd get into the 270 win, as I've been using 7mm's for years, but I currently own two. Both are 22" barrels and have been chrono'd with a ced mellenium and an oehler. The 22 inch pipes are not gonig to get you quite as fast as the 26" that some of the books show. However, with a 150 hornady, I am getting 2850 fps with 56.5 7828 with a wlrm. Consistant 5 shot 1" groups.

 

[bigngreen]

All our, rifles in 270 cals are 26-28in barrels so we use h1000 or 7828sc in the straight 270's and Retumbo in the WSM's. Are you getting pressure signs yet or just stopping at published max.

 

[Roughwater]

Thanks Lefty.

I had just come from out back shooting off my 5 test rounds for velocity when I got your post and I had some cases already prepped so I made a 6th test load using your load data and went back out and shot it also. (I live in the country).

Here are the results from my test using a ProChrono at about 12 ft from the muzzle:

1. 55 gn RL-19= 2656, 2. 59gn H1000=2677, 3. 51.6 Gn IMR 4350= 2640,

4. 53 Gn IMR-4831=2640, 5. 61.5 gn Magpro=2824,

6. 56.5 gn IMR 7828= 2688

WLR primers used for all except WLRM used with 7828 and Magpro. All cases were once fired Norma cases neck sized with Forster bushing die.
The rifle used for test was Remington 700 270 winchester, with 24" barrel.

All the published data I have say's these loads should fly about 100 plus FPS faster than they do? I have checked the chrony agains a new Shooting Chrony and get pretty much the same results.

Any thoughts anyone as to why the velocity discrepancy??

 

[Roughwater]

All our, rifles in 270 cals are 26-28in barrels so we use h1000 or 7828sc in the straight 270's and Retumbo in the WSM's. Are you getting pressure signs yet or just stopping at published max.

Big Green, I'm not seeing pressure signs yet but have stopped at the published data max.

I fired some minimum load 270 bullets the other day and saved a used primer. I'll measure it VS the primers I shot today but visually I see no signs of pressure.

 

[Roughwater]

I guess it looks like I'm writing to myself here but just want to put up a short update to my testing.

I do not of course recommend anyone going beyond max loads and of course work up to them gradually. However, since I'm still not seeing signs of over pressure I loaded up another round this time using 62 gn of Magpro and got a velocity of 2894 which I'm very ok with. Fortunately still no excess pressure signs. I realize my friends rifle may not react the same so once I get it I'll work up to max and go from there if need be. However now I'm interested to see if this load will shoot accurately or not in this rifle. I may load up a few to test at the range tomorrow along with a few 270 WSM bullets loaded with 150 or 165 gn Matrix or both.

Terry

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Thanks Lefty.

I had just come from out back shooting off my 5 test rounds for velocity when I got your post and I had some cases already prepped so I made a 6th test load using your load data and went back out and shot it also. (I live in the country).

Here are the results from my test using a ProChrono at about 12 ft from the muzzle:

1. 55 gn RL-19= 2656, 2. 59gn H1000=2677, 3. 51.6 Gn IMR 4350= 2640,

4. 53 Gn IMR-4831=2640, 5. 61.5 gn Magpro=2824,

6. 56.5 gn IMR 7828= 2688

WLR primers used for all except WLRM used with 7828 and Magpro. All cases were once fired Norma cases neck sized with Forster bushing die.
The rifle used for test was Remington 700 270 winchester, with 24" barrel.

All the published data I have say's these loads should fly about 100 plus FPS faster than they do? I have checked the chrony agains a new Shooting Chrony and get pretty much the same results.

Any thoughts anyone as to why the velocity discrepancy??

kinda looks like a rem lefty in '06 I had years ago. The dang thing would only hit 2600 fps with a 165, but once shot a .300"cloverleaf at 200 yards with said load. The wierd thing is she would also do 2600 fps with 200 grain bullets with the same powder(a couple of grains less) and primer. Magpro is in the ballpark on speed, if the accuracy is good, I'd try that. If not, work with rl22 and magnum. My previous 270(only had her for a few months) didn't do as well with rl22 and a 150, so I stayed with 7828. That one liked rl22 with 130's.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

Sorry, couldn't find any Velocity data for 150's in the current rifles, but found some for 130's in both rifles shot earlier this year.

Marlin 270-- 55.5 I 4831 ,130 tsx, rem 9 1/2m -- 30 degree temp
4 shot avg 3032 fps

tikka 270-- same load as above-- 3 shot average 3012 fps

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marlin 270-- 58 rl22, 130 sierra bt, wlrm -- 30 degree temp
3 shot average 2941 fps

tikka 270 --- same load as above--- 3 shot average-- 2915 fps

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I've been having accuracy issues with the Marlin lately now that it is warmer. It really likes to shoot fouled. The 130's have gone to pot, and it'll do just over an inch with the 150 load I spoke of earlier. The tikka just keeps tossing little bughole groups with both 130's and 150's

Just found some data with the Marlin and 140 accubonds from Jan 2, 2012 at 18 degrees. 140 accubond, 55.5 7828, and a wlr gave 2741 fps and a 1.7" group.
I should have tried more powders and charges, but these were left-over from an older rifle of my brother's.
It looks like passing 3K with these rifles and a lead core will get you wanm pressures. I did get the 130 gmx to do 3100 fps in the Marlin with a stout load of I 4831 at good pressures, but I can't find the chrono data. With over a ream of shot targets for my current rifles, I think I need to start notebooks for each rifle.

 

[Roughwater]

Thanks again lefty.

Ya, the Magpro looks promising and will get me just shy of 2900 fps @ 62gn with the 150 grainers and if they will shoot accurate I'll be real happy with that load for Elk. I live near the east coast so never hunted Elk before with a rifle and never had a reason to look for something heavier than 130 gn for deer.
But I thought maybe a heavier bullet would be better for Elk hunting and for shooting at longer ranges than I do here. I enjoy playing with bullet loads so kinda took it as a challange to work up a accurate 150 gn load. One thing on my side is that these 150 gn matrix bullets so far appear to be less jump sensitive than the burgers. These aren't the VLD type bullet and appear to be a hybrid.

Terry

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

My brother killed 4 elk last year on a herd reduction hunt with 6 shots out of a 300 win and he used 165 tsx with rl22 at 3200 fps. Use a strong bullet and it'll do. The 130 grain mono's or bondeds will work too if you can't get the speed up on a 150.
The 270 has sang its song on a 130 for most of its life. The case capacity is a bit low for good speed in a sporter barrel with heavier bullets. I really like to hit 3200 to 3300 fps with a hunting weight bullet for longer range hunting, but shoot the trajectory you know, as nothing will screw you up more than a gun that's flatter shooting or dropping faster than you expect. If your buddy's rifle likes 130's and won't hit speed accuratrely with 150's, get a stout 130 like the tsx or gmx and don't look back.

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I guess I was a bit ubtuse on my last post.......
130 grain 270 = .242 sd
165grain 30 cal = .248 sd
Both should have nearly identical penetrating ability with similar construction bullets. My brother proved rather well that a.248 sd bullet will pass through elk to over 300 yards last year.

 

[bigngreen]

I guess I was a bit ubtuse on my last post.......
130 grain 270 = .242 sd
165grain 30 cal = .248 sd
Both should have nearly identical penetrating ability with similar construction bullets. My brother proved rather well that a.248 sd bullet will pass through elk to over 300 yards last year.

Very good observation on the sectional density, we've pushed the 130's out to 500 yards and that's right were things are getting sketchy and we've started loading the 140 Berger at 3050's and they are GTG in that range. Interesting this is the 165 start crapping out at the same range, I put a lot more faith in sectional density than energy figures!!!!
I think the 150 Matrix should be a good bullet for hammering elk, I was going to order some but after finding out the 165's stabilized and we put a dozen on elk there just isn't anything else I would put in a 270 for elk unless they wouldn't stabilize. I've found them very easy going to load and to top it of every rifle we have loaded them in has shot them better than anything else, my buddies shoots in the .2's at 2835fps with the 165 and destroys elk!!!
I would push them harder but at 2900 they'll rock an elk gun)