At the range with my new .270 load

SFW · December 4, 2011, 10:01 PM

On a recent trip to the gun store, I noticed that ammo has taken another price increase. So I decided it was time to start loading my own .270 130 grain loads for deer hunting. I picked up some Nosler 130 Ballistic Tip Boat Tail bullets and some .270 brass.

The load:
Nosler 130 gn BT/BT
46.0 Grains of Varget
Winchester .270 brass
CCI 200 Primers

Here are the range results. The three round group in the bull measures .572 inches. The upper three round group measures .325 inches. I think I have found my new pet load for deer hunting.

I am very happy with the results on paper. I will have to see how they handle deer on my next hunting trip in two weeks.

farmerboy · December 4, 2011, 10:07 PM

Don't worry but alittle more experimenting they'll really get tight. But off to a great start and welcome to the hobby

langenc · December 4, 2011, 10:19 PM

I know bts are made for varmit and deer-two different versions? Im not sure about the 270. That is not one of my calibers. Are the BTs really the best deer bullet? I know bullets are expensive but would a better grade be better? I have quite a quantity of Rem Core locks. My last 2 deer have been with them in 243-80 gr. Both acted great. Last week hit 120 pound spike in chest-broke rib on the way in and another on the way out. Did not find bullet-darn it. 110 yards or so-went about 80 after the shot. Actually was dead and didnt know it.

SFW · December 4, 2011, 10:30 PM

farmerboy, thanks. Although I've been reloading for a few years now. I just decided that I didn't want to pay $40 a box for my favorite deer round. I've been loading 90 grain hollow points for hogs for a few years now..

langenc, I have been using ballistic tip bullets on deer for the past five years. I have never had an issue with them. I would say that 90% of my shots have resulted in the deer dropping in place and never getting back up. The other 10% have only managed to run for about 10 yards or so after the shot. Last year I hit a nice buck on the run, and he only took two additional steps after being hit before he buckled to the ground. Penetration/expansion has always been very good.

Jim243 · December 4, 2011, 10:32 PM

Looks like you found the right combo, congrats and good hunting.

Jim

farmerboy · December 4, 2011, 10:38 PM

Varget, I love the stuff. Hoping to find a good load with it for my 22-250. I also love the BT bullets for deer and hogs but have never tried Nosler. But good shooting

jimbob86 · December 4, 2011, 10:43 PM

What kind of velocity and SD are you getting on those?

SFW · December 4, 2011, 10:54 PM

Not sure about the velocity, as I don't have a chronograph. According to my Hodgdon reloading manual, it should be somewhere between 2900 and 3000 fps. Which should be plenty for white tail.

jimbob86 · December 4, 2011, 11:30 PM

I guess velocity would be irrelevant if you are not shooting past 250-300 yards ..... so long as your groups are tight.... but then you might as well be shooting a .308 ... they are cheaper, you know.....

..... one of the best things about the .270 WIN is it's flat trajectory: at 400 yards, there is a 5 inch difference in drop with that Nosler BT started at 2900 and 3100....

The other good thing about a chronograph is that it will calculate Standard Deviation (SD)- to tell you how consistant your Muzzle Velocity is, shot to shot, on average.....

My Nosler manual (5th Ed.) does not even list Varget for that bullet .... I looked online at Hodgden, and they did not have one for the NBT.... their 46.0 max load for a 130gr Hornady SP bullet said it developed 2931 f/sec and 49,600 CUP ....... seems a bit light..... Winchester used to load their factory 130 gr bullet to 3100 ..... but have since stepped it down to 3060 ...... lawyers, I guess......

SFW · December 4, 2011, 11:55 PM

I based the Varget load off of the 130 grain Barnes TSX, where 48 grains is the max load. I know that I need to get a chrono, but I just haven't yet. My typical shot is between 150 and 200 yards. Some times a bit more, but that's usually where it falls.

farmerboy · December 5, 2011, 12:01 AM

Yea chronys are good for telling you Sd, Ad and velocity and a bunch more fancy stuff that really means very little to pure accuracy. I don't have one, don't care for one and probably never gonna get one. I am looking for just plain ole accuracy!

farmerboy · December 5, 2011, 12:04 AM

I don't care if mine are going 2000 or 4000 feet a second, I'm just looking to punch that one ragged hole I'n paper or game, doesn't make a difference

farmerboy · December 5, 2011, 12:06 AM

And don't really care if Sd is 1 or 100. As long as they are accurate. Some very extremely accurate loads aren't always low Sd's anyhow

jimbob86 · December 5, 2011, 01:00 AM

I have yet to see a tiny group come from a load that varies 100 f/sec in velocity, shot to shot....... consistancy=accuracy. Inconsistant loads can hit the target, if you are lucky. Luck is not consistant over time.

farmerboy · December 5, 2011, 01:28 AM

I have seen some very low Sd's not shoot very accurate, bottom line is what are most looking for Low Sd's or accurate loads and sometimes the accurate ones have low Sd's but sometimes they do vary 30 or 40 but hey if they're accurate, who cares. Sorry bout getting off the Ops thread.

farmerboy · December 5, 2011, 01:30 AM

Just out of curiosity, what is the rifle that you're shooting these groups with?

mrawesome22 · December 5, 2011, 02:13 AM

Agree with Jim. If it does not produce low standard deviations, do not trust those lucky groups.

mrawesome22 · December 5, 2011, 02:16 AM

And I would gladly sacrifice a little accuracy to gain 300 fps for a load meant for deer sized targets

jimbob86 · December 5, 2011, 02:18 AM

....and not to mention the fact that a group that by chance printed into 1/2 an inch at 100 yards will be strung vertically very badly by the time it gets out to 300-400 yards, if it varies that much in velocity.......

Consistancy=Precision.

jimbob86 · December 5, 2011, 02:23 AM

Accuracy is more important than maximum muzzle velocity..... but why not find a load that will consistantly print a 1" group and still develop the full potential of the cartridge?

federali · December 5, 2011, 07:51 AM

I would be very happy with the performance you, your rifle and your reloads turned in. One of my regrets in life is not going to the .270 Win. five decades ago. Yes, it doesn't have a belt, cost $3.00 a round or kill at both ends but I've seen the 130 grain bullet used on eastern whitetails and you couldn't ask for more.

SFW · December 5, 2011, 08:27 AM

My rifle is a Remington 700 BDL with a synthetic stock. I have it topped with a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x40. It is a very consistant rifle, that has shot extremely well right out of the box.

I come from a family of .30-06 guys. I discovered the .270 on the first hunt with my father-in-law. I have been hooked ever since. My loads are very consistant. I hand measure each load before it goes into the cartridge. When I tell you that they are 46.0 grains, they are 46.0 grains.

December 4, 2011, 10:01 PM	#1
SFW Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 124	At the range with my new .270 load On a recent trip to the gun store, I noticed that ammo has taken another price increase. So I decided it was time to start loading my own .270 130 grain loads for deer hunting. I picked up some Nosler 130 Ballistic Tip Boat Tail bullets and some .270 brass. The load: Nosler 130 gn BT/BT 46.0 Grains of Varget Winchester .270 brass CCI 200 Primers Here are the range results. The three round group in the bull measures .572 inches. The upper three round group measures .325 inches. I think I have found my new pet load for deer hunting. I am very happy with the results on paper. I will have to see how they handle deer on my next hunting trip in two weeks.

December 4, 2011, 11:30 PM	#9
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Knowing is good, and a Chrony is inexpensive. I guess velocity would be irrelevant if you are not shooting past 250-300 yards ..... so long as your groups are tight.... but then you might as well be shooting a .308 ... they are cheaper, you know..... ..... one of the best things about the .270 WIN is it's flat trajectory: at 400 yards, there is a 5 inch difference in drop with that Nosler BT started at 2900 and 3100.... The other good thing about a chronograph is that it will calculate Standard Deviation (SD)- to tell you how consistant your Muzzle Velocity is, shot to shot, on average..... My Nosler manual (5th Ed.) does not even list Varget for that bullet .... I looked online at Hodgden, and they did not have one for the NBT.... their 46.0 max load for a 130gr Hornady SP bullet said it developed 2931 f/sec and 49,600 CUP ....... seems a bit light..... Winchester used to load their factory 130 gr bullet to 3100 ..... but have since stepped it down to 3060 ...... lawyers, I guess......

December 5, 2011, 07:51 AM	#21
federali Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2011 Location: Nassau County NY Posts: 378	Great Shooting I would be very happy with the performance you, your rifle and your reloads turned in. One of my regrets in life is not going to the .270 Win. five decades ago. Yes, it doesn't have a belt, cost $3.00 a round or kill at both ends but I've seen the 130 grain bullet used on eastern whitetails and you couldn't ask for more.

December 4, 2011, 10:07 PM	#2
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	Don't worry but alittle more experimenting they'll really get tight. But off to a great start and welcome to the hobby

December 4, 2011, 10:19 PM	#3
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	I know bts are made for varmit and deer-two different versions? Im not sure about the 270. That is not one of my calibers. Are the BTs really the best deer bullet? I know bullets are expensive but would a better grade be better? I have quite a quantity of Rem Core locks. My last 2 deer have been with them in 243-80 gr. Both acted great. Last week hit 120 pound spike in chest-broke rib on the way in and another on the way out. Did not find bullet-darn it. 110 yards or so-went about 80 after the shot. Actually was dead and didnt know it.

December 4, 2011, 10:30 PM	#4
SFW Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 124	farmerboy, thanks. Although I've been reloading for a few years now. I just decided that I didn't want to pay $40 a box for my favorite deer round. I've been loading 90 grain hollow points for hogs for a few years now.. langenc, I have been using ballistic tip bullets on deer for the past five years. I have never had an issue with them. I would say that 90% of my shots have resulted in the deer dropping in place and never getting back up. The other 10% have only managed to run for about 10 yards or so after the shot. Last year I hit a nice buck on the run, and he only took two additional steps after being hit before he buckled to the ground. Penetration/expansion has always been very good.

December 4, 2011, 10:32 PM	#5
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Looks like you found the right combo, congrats and good hunting. Jim

December 4, 2011, 10:38 PM	#6
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	Varget, I love the stuff. Hoping to find a good load with it for my 22-250. I also love the BT bullets for deer and hogs but have never tried Nosler. But good shooting

December 4, 2011, 10:43 PM	#7
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	What kind of velocity and SD are you getting on those?

December 4, 2011, 10:54 PM	#8
SFW Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 124	Not sure about the velocity, as I don't have a chronograph. According to my Hodgdon reloading manual, it should be somewhere between 2900 and 3000 fps. Which should be plenty for white tail.

December 4, 2011, 11:55 PM	#10
SFW Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 124	I based the Varget load off of the 130 grain Barnes TSX, where 48 grains is the max load. I know that I need to get a chrono, but I just haven't yet. My typical shot is between 150 and 200 yards. Some times a bit more, but that's usually where it falls.

December 5, 2011, 12:01 AM	#11
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	Yea chronys are good for telling you Sd, Ad and velocity and a bunch more fancy stuff that really means very little to pure accuracy. I don't have one, don't care for one and probably never gonna get one. I am looking for just plain ole accuracy!

December 5, 2011, 12:04 AM	#12
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	I don't care if mine are going 2000 or 4000 feet a second, I'm just looking to punch that one ragged hole I'n paper or game, doesn't make a difference

December 5, 2011, 12:06 AM	#13
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	And don't really care if Sd is 1 or 100. As long as they are accurate. Some very extremely accurate loads aren't always low Sd's anyhow

December 5, 2011, 01:00 AM	#14
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	I have yet to see a tiny group come from a load that varies 100 f/sec in velocity, shot to shot....... consistancy=accuracy. Inconsistant loads can hit the target, if you are lucky. Luck is not consistant over time.

December 5, 2011, 01:28 AM	#15
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	I have seen some very low Sd's not shoot very accurate, bottom line is what are most looking for Low Sd's or accurate loads and sometimes the accurate ones have low Sd's but sometimes they do vary 30 or 40 but hey if they're accurate, who cares. Sorry bout getting off the Ops thread.

December 5, 2011, 01:30 AM	#16
farmerboy Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,343	Just out of curiosity, what is the rifle that you're shooting these groups with?

December 5, 2011, 02:13 AM	#17
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Agree with Jim. If it does not produce low standard deviations, do not trust those lucky groups.

December 5, 2011, 02:16 AM	#18
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	And I would gladly sacrifice a little accuracy to gain 300 fps for a load meant for deer sized targets

December 5, 2011, 02:18 AM	#19
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	....and not to mention the fact that a group that by chance printed into 1/2 an inch at 100 yards will be strung vertically very badly by the time it gets out to 300-400 yards, if it varies that much in velocity....... Consistancy=Precision.

December 5, 2011, 02:23 AM	#20
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Accuracy is more important than maximum muzzle velocity..... but why not find a load that will consistantly print a 1" group and still develop the full potential of the cartridge?

December 5, 2011, 08:27 AM	#22
SFW Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2010 Location: The Republic of Texas Posts: 124	My rifle is a Remington 700 BDL with a synthetic stock. I have it topped with a Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x40. It is a very consistant rifle, that has shot extremely well right out of the box. I come from a family of .30-06 guys. I discovered the .270 on the first hunt with my father-in-law. I have been hooked ever since. My loads are very consistant. I hand measure each load before it goes into the cartridge. When I tell you that they are 46.0 grains, they are 46.0 grains.