Reloading questions - .270

[billythekidrock]

Below is a pic of a 3 shot group from a Win. model 70 .270 Featherweight XTR. The group measures about 3/4 inch from center to center of the outside holes. This was the max charge and lesser charges were all over the map.



The round:
130 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Spitzer
55 gr IMR 4350
Win WLR primer
COAL = 3.320


My questions are can this be tightened up by:
A. Using a different powder?
B. Different COAL?

[bobcat]

What's your question? Are you looking for better accuracy? That looks like a pretty good group to me. Did you try 54.5 and 55.5 grains? If not I would try that and see what happens. After that you can fine tune the seating depth of the bullet and try to improve on your groups that way. My 270 almost always shoots best at max charges or even slightly over max.

[billythekidrock]

Yes, better accuracy. I did try 54 and lower but the point of impact was all over the place.
It is ok, but I would like to see if I can do better.

[JLS]

Are you getting pressure signs yet?  I would try 54.7 and 55.3 to see what they do, or half grain increments as Bobcat suggested.  Heck, do all four.  Is your bullet right off the lands, or a fair bit off?

[BOWHUNTER45]

Not bad Billy ... I load 54 gr IMR 4831 ...Have not changed in 35 years    With a 140 gr bullet ...Now you need to play with seating the bullet to what your gun likes ...That's what reloading is all about ...fiddling around until its perfect 

[billythekidrock]

No pressure signs yet. I have tried 53 gr & 54 gr but nothing between 54 & 55 and nothing higher yet. It is bit off the lands.

[Biggerhammer]

3/4 inch is excellent from a feather weight. Looks like the load is good to go, maybe a little match prep on the brass and a bedding job. Other than that, it's hard to ask more of  a factory feather weight.

[JKEEN33]

I start all of my new rifles at max coal and have found this is usually on the short side. I would run these out to 3.340 and see if you get any improvement. A lot of this is trial and testing but this is where I would start if it was my load.

[bobcat]

What's interesting is my Nosler book has an asterisk next to the powder charge that was most accurate for each powder tested. For IMR 4350 it shows that 55.0 was the  "most accurate load tested."


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[billythekidrock]

What's interesting is my Nosler book has an asterisk next to the powder charge that was most accurate for each powder tested. For IMR 4350 it shows that 55.0 was the  "most accurate load tested."


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Yes, and I mistakenly put "max" in my first post. It should have been "most accurate".

[billythekidrock]

3/4 inch is excellent from a feather weight. Looks like the load is good to go, maybe a little match prep on the brass and a bedding job. Other than that, it's hard to ask more of  a factory feather weight.

And that is why I was asking. I don't mind tweaking and learning, but if it is about as good as the factory rifle will get I am fine with it and can move on to other rifles and other loads.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I have 2 270's and use win 760 but it's nearly identical to the 4350. Like bobcat I would try it at 54.5 and 55.5. I run 54.5 with sst's and have great results. But you have great results too.  I really wouldn't mess with it much more. That's freakin great for a featherweight.

[bobcat]

Yes I would say if you consistently get 3/4 inch groups, you are there. You might shoot that same load next time and get an inch and a half group. But if it stays consistent, I'd stick with that 55 grain charge and possibly just tweak the seating depth of the bullet a bit and see if that makes any difference. Sometimes it can make a ton of difference in your groups.


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[wildmanoutdoors]

Tell us how your shooting. Are you letting it cool each time?

[billythekidrock]

Not letting it cool between individual shots, but letting it cool between three and four shot groups.

130 gr SST's did not group well for me but I will try some more.