The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

two 70 · July 27, 2008, 02:07 PM

New guy here with confidence shaking problem. Have been shooting custom handloads made by my hunting partner who has been reloading for me for many years. His pet load for my Mod 70 .270 is 58gr H4831 behind a Barnes Triple Shock 140gr boattail bullet. I've got a stockpile of a 100 rounds or so but being a conservative meat hunter don't burn many up for practice, just do a 5 or 10 round verification shoot @300 prior to hunting season . Anyway, last spring the coyotes were in full assault mode on my chicken flock and I managed to thin the pack considerably with the .270. When the threat diminished the rifle went back in the rack and was taken out yesterday for annual housekeeping, bore clean etc. in prep for the fall hunt. When I pulled the bolt and made a curiousity peek down the barrel to see how much copper fouling I was getting from the Barnes bullets there was no daylight. Probing with a ramrod from the muzzel incountered an obstruction about 4 inches from the chamber. Appeared to be a yellowish waxy substance about 1/4 or better in length with visible black specks which I assume is powder granules. Is this a powder breakdown problem or does it have something to do with the brass cleaning process. Handloader says he uses walnut shells to clean. Am assuming a blockage of this size could well cause pressure problems and am now questioning the safety and or practicality of using this ammo. Any advice or suggestions would surely be appreciated.

July 27, 2008, 02:07 PM	#1
two 70 Member Join Date: July 27, 2008 Location: Extreme NE Wa Posts: 54	disturbing barrel blockage New guy here with confidence shaking problem. Have been shooting custom handloads made by my hunting partner who has been reloading for me for many years. His pet load for my Mod 70 .270 is 58gr H4831 behind a Barnes Triple Shock 140gr boattail bullet. I've got a stockpile of a 100 rounds or so but being a conservative meat hunter don't burn many up for practice, just do a 5 or 10 round verification shoot @300 prior to hunting season . Anyway, last spring the coyotes were in full assault mode on my chicken flock and I managed to thin the pack considerably with the .270. When the threat diminished the rifle went back in the rack and was taken out yesterday for annual housekeeping, bore clean etc. in prep for the fall hunt. When I pulled the bolt and made a curiousity peek down the barrel to see how much copper fouling I was getting from the Barnes bullets there was no daylight. Probing with a ramrod from the muzzel incountered an obstruction about 4 inches from the chamber. Appeared to be a yellowish waxy substance about 1/4 or better in length with visible black specks which I assume is powder granules. Is this a powder breakdown problem or does it have something to do with the brass cleaning process. Handloader says he uses walnut shells to clean. Am assuming a blockage of this size could well cause pressure problems and am now questioning the safety and or practicality of using this ammo. Any advice or suggestions would surely be appreciated.