Finally took the 270 WSM to the range

James B · 06-23-2006, 03:55 PM

Most of you know that I picked up the Savage Varmit 26" barrel Savage with the Accu-Trigger. I had to change the extractor and the weather wouldn't co-operate. I finally got a pretty good day to try it out. I had loaded some 130 Grain Sierra Pro-Hunters. I took the Accuracy load listed in the Sierra manual as a starting point but I believe I will stay right there. I took one shot and adjusted the scope as these hit about two inches to the right of where the factory loads that I used to sight it in. I shot two three shot groups and both were well inside one of the one inch square boxes on the target. This load would shoot close to one hole with another shooter. I am a poor group shooter as the harder I try, the shakier I get. If I can shoot under one inch then I know that I have a hell of a good load and very accurate rifle.

Over the Chronograph, I ran five shots. The Lo shot was 3058 and the Hi shot was 3072 All the rest were right at 3064. I loaded them with the Lee dippers. I shot about 15 shots and the new extractor through them all in a little pile four feet from the bench. The rifle feeds well but it takes a little shove to drive them home. It may still be a little stiff as yet.

This is a mild load and is just idleing at that speed but 3060 inside one inch will do very well for my use so I think I have found my load. I know to the screaming velocity fans that this is a waste of a Magnum round but I know the 130 Pro-Hunter will perform very well at this speed. My 270 Win. shoots the Federal fusion 130 grainers at 2860 so I gained some velocity which I really didn't need. I may try their hunting load which they list at 3300 FPS with RE-19. I don't know why though, this is a good one. I slipped my Shooters Friend recoil pad on it today and with that on it, felt recoil was about NIL. The Shooters friend pad from Cabelas is simply the best recoil cure that I have ever seen. I took the factory pad off the Savage and the Shooters Friend will stay on it. Check it out on Cabels webb site and you can probably see why it works the way it does. They claim 70 percent reduced felt recoil and thats conservative in my opinion. I would never shoot any high opwer rifle without out again. Call me a wuss Or call me smarter than that damn stock.

Roskoe · 06-23-2006, 05:27 PM

I am not a "case stuffer", but would nonetheless have trouble resisting the temptation to load it up a little warmer and see what happens. Particularly if recoil is pretty mild at this point. The new Nosler Accubond, if your gun likes them, is great .270 bullet from a terminal ballistics standpoint. Particularly for larger game. Nothing wrong with the 130 gr. Pro Hunter, though. Most people miss the boat and get the more streamlined Gameking; which is designed for proper expansion at long range and tends to over expand at normal hunting distances.

This is a greatround -destined to become one of the most popular calibers of all time, IMO.

James B · 06-23-2006, 06:27 PM

I sure like it. I will probably throttle it up a little but will probably keep this load as a mule deer special.. I have some 140 Ballistic tips as well as some Hornady Inner Locks. I may try the Accu-Bonds as well. I may try the RE-19 and 22 as well.

DANTHEHUNTER · 06-24-2006, 07:41 PM

Come on James turn it up a notch !!

I too think this is a great round with alot of potential, Mine seems to love alittle hotter load then that. I am getting up around 3250 - 3260 with 130's

James B · 06-24-2006, 08:13 PM

I am sure I could get a quite a bit more speed. The accuracy load in the Sierra manual is 62.7 Gr of IMR 4350. I loaded 62.0 grains. I have a 26 inch barrel so I am sure that with RE-19 or 22. I could get more velocity. However as I said, I think this is about as close to a one hole load as I would ever get. I wouldn't want to drive the 130 PRO-Hunter any faster than I am. I could go to a tougher bullet though. The deer hit the ground in a cloud of dust with the Federal Fusion at 2860 from the 270 Win. so this load should be a mule deer whacker big time. For Elk or moose I would move up to the 140 or 150 grain in a real tough bullet. Like the accu-bond or the TXs or maybe the 150 GR Partition. I get 3250 or a little more from then WW Ballistic silvertip and 3050 from the 150 Gr WW power points.

Rammer · 06-25-2006, 12:40 PM

Glad to hear you got yourself a fine shooter! One of these days I need to tinker with a new load an get shooting again.

James B · 06-25-2006, 01:43 PM

I was disappointed in My shooting. I could tell the load and rifle were were capable of much better groups. I need some more sandbags to wring it out better. I am betting it will shoot under 1/2 inch with that load. Thats really plenty of velocity for my hunting. I know where the muleys come up on the wheat fields and seldom need to shoot more that 175-200 yards with many shots being half that. If I set up a ground blind, I could easy get 100 yard shots.

hardcorehunter · 06-25-2006, 02:19 PM

James,I have played around with different sandbag setups and nothing has worked like these do. The guns is held firmly in the leather and my shooting has really gone to a new level.

HCH[/align]

hardcorehunter · 06-25-2006, 02:23 PM

Here is a better pic. Not by much though.

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James B · 06-26-2006, 09:27 PM

Thanks for the info. I am a poor group shooter. I can set tiny little objects way the Heck out there and shoot the heck out of them. Trying to hit in the same place twice though is a different story. When I get groups under one inch, I know I have a tack driver when it comes to shot placement on critters.