Reloading questions / help

[jrebel]

So, pretty frustrated with my reloading lately.  I working up a few loads for a .270 and a .243.  In the past it was relatively easy (other rifles) and didn't take near as much trial and error.  So here goes the problems and questions. 

.270:  It is a savage model 114 with accutrigger.  Loading 150 grain nosler partitions with H4350.  I found a load that will shoot sub 1" at 100 yards with 4 shot groups.   Now...here is my frustration.  I loaded 20 of that load and was going to sight in and shoot 200 yards.  Well...it wont hold a group at 200 yards.  My optics are Vortex Viper HS 4-14 so seeing the target at 200 yards is not the problem.  I am shooting off of sand bags so I am as steady as can be.  I think maybe I did something wrong so I go back to 100 yards and stick 4 shots touching each other.      Any suggestions??

.243:  4 different trial loads with 80 and 85 grain bullets.  Trying to load it down as it is going to be my daughters first gun.  100 yards and the best group I could get was 4".  Shoot factory 100 grain bullets and it groups tight but with noticeably more recoil.  So, this is not as frustrating, but any advise on light loads that have worked out of your .243's would be great. 

Thanks

jrebel

[bearpaw]

You could load a lighter weight bullet at normal speed to get less recoil!

[Curly]

On the .270, is there a parallax adjustment on that Vortex?  Just throwing that out for some thought........ 

[jasnt]

How bad was the 200 yard group?  What seating depth/s are you using, book length or mag length, jump/jammed?  Are you metering or weighting out each charge? Any pics of the groups?

Parallax  I think is 100 yards with that viper. Could aso be the issue

On the .270, is there a parallax adjustment on that Vortex?  Just throwing that out for some thought........ 

[Jason]

I have found H4831SC to be the most accurate in my 270 with Accubonds.

[jasnt]

What powder are you using with the 243?

[jrebel]

You could load a lighter weight bullet at normal speed to get less recoil!

What would be the minimum bullet weight for deer sized game out of a .243.  I was trying to keep it no lower than 80 grains.  My wife shoots 100 grains and it seems to group well and has proven to take game down quick.  It is amazing though...the felt recoil is significantly different with the 100 grain bullet. 

[jasnt]

You could load a lighter weight bullet at normal speed to get less recoil!

What would be the minimum bullet weight for deer sized game out of a .243.  I was trying to keep it no lower than 80 grains.  My wife shoots 100 grains and it seems to group well and has proven to take game down quick.  It is amazing though...the felt recoil is significantly different with the 100 grain bullet. 

I have taken deer with a 64gr Berger target,Shot placement is important here and I would keep it under 100 yards. It worked well for me, recoil is light and deer was drt.  Hornady also makes a 70gr sp

[tonymiller7]

I shoot 130 grain Accubonds and 55 grains of IMR 4350 out of my 270 and it is a tack driving SOB.  I'm not sure as to why you are grouping so well at 100 yds and not at 200.  How much experience do you have shooting at that range?  I hate to say it but it sounds like it might be operator error.  I've never really heard of a group falling apart that bad at longer ranges.  The group will naturally open up but not as bad as you are making it sound. 

[jrebel]

How bad was the 200 yard group?  What seating depth/s are you using, book length or mag length, jump/jammed?  Are you metering or weighting out each charge? Any pics of the groups?

Parallax  I think is 100 yards with that viper. Could aso be the issue

On the .270, is there a parallax adjustment on that Vortex?  Just throwing that out for some thought........ 

200 yard group were 4-5 inches, sorry did't think to take pictures.  They were all over the place.  I weighing every charge (50 grains H4350).  They are seated at 3.28" which is what worked best in my other .270.   100 yard group literally had all 4 holes touching 1/2 - 3/4 inch max.  The scope does have a parallax adjustment that was changed to 200 yard.  I played a little with the parallax today and it didn't seam to help.  I will admit I am not very well versed on parallax as this is the first scope I have ever had with a parallax adjustment. 

[jrebel]

What powder are you using with the 243?

I am using H414 which has worked well in my wife's .243.  I have the option to of varget or H4350 currently in my arsenal. 

[Fl0und3rz]

What's the expected/measured muzzle velocity on the .270? 

From what you describe, could the bullet not be stabilizing in that twist/velocity?

http://thearmsguide.com/6211/long-range-shooting-external-ballistics-static-stability/

Although it is not often observed/discussed, it is not unheard of for a bullet to destabilize at longer ranges.  But I would think that the powders and bullets available for .270 win are fairly forgiving in that regard.  And the Nosler data certainly seems to show that you have picked a winning combo.

http://www.nosler.com/nosler-load-data/270-winchester/

I shoot the Nosler 150 grain partition out of a pencil barrel Rem. 700 Mountain Rifle and get near 1 MOA at 100 yards.  I haven't shot it longer than that for group size in a while, but do not remember experiencing what you describe.  I used IMR4831.

[jrebel]

I shoot 130 grain Accubonds and 55 grains of IMR 4350 out of my 270 and it is a tack driving SOB.  I'm not sure as to why you are grouping so well at 100 yds and not at 200.  How much experience do you have shooting at that range?  I hate to say it but it sounds like it might be operator error.  I've never really heard of a group falling apart that bad at longer ranges.  The group will naturally open up but not as bad as you are making it sound.

With my other .270 I am comfortable to 400 yards and have taken game at that range with a good rest.  I shoot more than most, but would call myself a relatively novice reloader.  I have never seen a group do this either that is why I am so frustrated.  First 4 shot group I thought was me....so I put the rifle down and shot another rifle while the letting the barrel cool.  Picked it up 15 minutes later and got the same results with the next 4 shot group.  Went back to 100 yard and 4 shots touching.     It was definitely not the shooter on this outing, though in most cases my gear is better than my abilities.   

[jasnt]

How bad was the 200 yard group?  What seating depth/s are you using, book length or mag length, jump/jammed?  Are you metering or weighting out each charge? Any pics of the groups?

Parallax  I think is 100 yards with that viper. Could aso be the issue

On the .270, is there a parallax adjustment on that Vortex?  Just throwing that out for some thought........ 

200 yard group were 4-5 inches, sorry did't think to take pictures.  They were all over the place.  I weighing every charge (50 grains H4350).  They are seated at 3.28" which is what worked best in my other .270.   100 yard group literally had all 4 holes touching 1/2 - 3/4 inch max.  The scope does have a parallax adjustment that was changed to 200 yard.  I played a little with the parallax today and it didn't seam to help.  I will admit I am not very well versed on parallax as this is the first scope I have ever had with a parallax adjustment. 

What powder are you using with the 243?

I am using H414 which has worked well in my wife's .243.  I have the option to of varget or H4350 currently in my arsenal. 

With parallax always start at infinity then dial down till clear. Look away then back threw the scope.  If still clear with out touching the rifle move your head around while looking threw the scope. If the cross hairs move on the target while your moving your head up or down or side to side then the parallax is not adjusted correctly.  Hope that made sense.
That varget get May very we'll be your best bet with the 243.
I would play with seating depth in both rifles. Every single gun is different, they may not like what your other guns liked

[bobcat]

I'm kinda stumped on the good groups at 100 but much worse at 200. If your 200 yard groups were 2 inches I'd think that was pretty normal, but 4 to 5 inches?

First thing I might try would be a bullet known for being accurate, maybe a Nosler Ballistic Tip or Sierra Gameking. If you can get a nice tight 200 yard group with another bullet, you'll know there's not a problem with the rifle or scope.

If you still can't get a good group at 200, the next thing I might try is a different scope.