Ammo problems for .270

[rich128]

  I am hunting elk out west this fall with my Ruger M77 MkII .270.  It was recomended to me in the Western Big Game Hunting forum that I use 150 gr Nosler Partition bullets.  I have purchased some Federal Premium ammo of this descrip.  However, it won't shoot worth a darn in my gun.  Talking about a 6-7" group at 200 yds and about a 3.5" group at 100yds.  Not acceptable!  A friend hand loaded me some 140 gr. Sierras which shot a lot better but I'm not sure they are big enough for elk.  Acccording to the charts their energy is not a lot less than the Nosler Partition at 200 yds. but I'm on the small end of the spectrum anyway.  Why won't my gun shoot the Noslers?  I prefer a factory load as I haven't had my reloading stuff unpacked for years!  And I don't have time now to get it out and play with it before October.  What other factory loads are out there that are sufficient for elk and that you think will shoot good from my rifle?  Thanks in advance for any info.

[wareagleguy]

That will work fine.  I loaded (for a friend) last summer for a 270 Browning which was 140 Nosler Ballistic Tips.  I first want to say the Ballistic Tip was a huge mistake but he still ended up killing a 5x6 elk.  The ballistic tips just do not penetrate so stay away from that.  If you can get a 140 grain bullet to shoot it will do fine and the Sierras will do fine.
 
You could also try reloading with some Partitions.  Just because a factory load with Partitions didn't do well doesn't mean you can't find a good reload for it.

[Val]

Different rifles like different combinations of reloading components. That's why reloaders have to go through load development to find the load for their rifle. Sometimes you hit it pretty fast and sometimes you need to try lots of combos before you find that load. You should ask your friend to load with different powders until you get a good load.

I have had pretty good results using the "The most accurate powder tested" in the Nosler manual, at the most accurate powder weight for that powder. For the 150 grain partitions the Nosler Manual calls for IMR 4350 with 52 grains being the most accurate load. 52 grains is also the max load call out so start lower and work up to 52 grains and look for pressure signs. I like to use .5 grain increments as I work my way up. When I find a pretty good load I go back and load some more and .2 grains above and below and confirm the accuracy of the load.

You maay want to try the Nosler accubond in 140 grain. Although the Partitions shoot sub MOA in my hunting loads, the Accubonds shoot a bit more accurately.

[tominboise]

Winchester Supreme with 140 gr FailSafe has a good reputation.  Also, some of the Remington with the core-lockt Ultra.....

[Mac11700]

2 othe Remington factory loads you could try...the 130 grain Sirroco or the 140 grain A-Frame...both have a great reputation for doing a good job...



Mac

[rickt300]

It is not uncommon for the partition to not be the best  shooting bullet you try.  Winchester's 150 grain Power Point has a good reputation as an elk bullet as does the Failsafe.  The PMC X bullet load could be good but I haven't used it and accuracy varies widely from one rifle to the next.  I stay away from Sierra bullets for heavy game.  You could try Hornady's light magnum load with the 150 grain standard interloc.  I have used that bullet in reloads for elk and like it.  Keep your shots under 300 yards and shoot behind the shoulder and almost any bullet will work.

[Scott Fisher]

The fifth edition of the Nosler Reloading Guide states H4350 as the most accurate powder for the 150 grain bullet.  They do not even list IMR 4350.  These powders are very similar as regards to burn rate and are nearly the same, but I am not sure if these two powders are interchangeable.  To be on the safe side I would consult IMR and see what their data calls for.  IMR 4350 is very good powder and is normally accurate in many calibers including the .270.

[Graybeard]

I've owned several rifles chambered to the .270 Win. and never yet had one that the Federal Premium load with the 150 Nosler PT wouldn't shoot sub MOA in. I'd check for other problems with your rifle before I just assumed the load was at fault.

GB

[Questor]

I don't suspect the partitions themselves, I think the problem is more complex than that. What is your load data? Is this a maximum load?  You could try Speer grand slams too. What's the best accuracy you are getting?  Do you get good accuracy (1.5" or smaller at 100 yards) with 130 grainers?

[safetysheriff]

I agree with the man who said check for other problems beside the ammo'; and I agree with the man who said try Hornady ammo'.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a Spire Point of 140 or 150 gr's out of the .270 for elk hunting, and would use whichever was most accurate out of my rifle.     John Barsness has done some very interesting writing about elk hunting, and you may want to look for some of his material.

Take care.

[Blaine]

I have been testing a number of factory rounds in my .270 (Savage 110) and have seen a marked difference in the loads my rifle likes. The top 5 (in order) that I found were:

Fed Prem 150 gr Nosler Partition
Fed Prem 140 gr Accubond
Hornady Light Mag 140 gr BTSP
Hornady Light Mag 130 gr Interbond
Winch Sup 140 gr Failsafe

I won't even list the other 3 loads, because in my rifle, they would be better used as paper weights. Incidently, in my case at least, the first 2 were as close as groups could be ( both 3/4 " @ 100 yds) and the next 2 were also very close ( both 1&1/4" @ 100 yd) and the last one was nearly 2" @ 100 yds. Hope this gives you some ideas. Of course what works for me probably won't work for you, ....but who knows :lol:

[Zachary]

What I would do next is have the action glass and pillar bedded with the barrel free floated.  Get a trigger job down to about 3 pounds, and have the barrel tip recrowned and the inside of the barrel examined by a gunsmith.  Also, make sure that your scope bases and rings are secure and that you have a good quality scope that you know holds its zero.

Zachary

[7magWoodsman]

I have a Ruger M77 in 7mag that I shoot weekly/bi weekly and it will shoot just about anything well... I have had experience with multiple Rugers and what I would do first is take the gun out of the stock, clean the grease off and reassemble, and be sure to not overtighten the stock, for some reason Ruger overtightens their stocks at the factory.(I guess for some unknown safety reason???)  Loosening does not help because it is already seated too deep...if that does not help take it to the gunshop and have the action trued, and have a Timney Trigger installed and also do what Zachary said but don't worry about the the scope base cause as you and me know, you DON'T have one    but do check your rings and make sure they are tight but for some reason I am sure that you checked em and they already are...good luck with the rifle and the hunt.

[Lawdog]

rich128,

Listen to what Graybeard has told you.  Fooling around with different loads that may not be suitable isn't going to find the true problem.  Take it to a good gunsmith and have him go over it.  Federal Premium loads just don't normally shoot that badly.  Lawdog