Range Report First Set of Reloads

RugerM77.270 · 08-16-2008, 03:33 PM

Well I took my first set of reloads out today and I think I did well for myself. I say that becausethis was my firsttime shooting for groups so I know that the gun and reloads shoot better then I do.I haven't shot in a while and in the meantime I have floated the barrel on my Ruger so I started of with the factory stuff I hunted with last year and got a big suprise. I still have a factory set trigger and it gave me some issues on the first shot of each group usually. I have got to get that fixed.

Here is the breakdown.

Load #1 56.5 gr H4831sc - 2.06''
#2 57.5gr - 3.003''
#3 58.5gr - 2.063''
#4 59gr - 2.081''
#5 59.2gr - .496'' on the first two shot pulled the 3rd to make a 2.593 (Pic)

The Kicker was the factoryHornady 140gr SPBTsgave me a 1.181'' group on a hot barrel.

I am going to load some more of the 59.2gr and play with the COAL this week. I have a COALof 3.320 now and will bump it out to 3.330 and see what happens.

RugerM77.270 · 08-16-2008, 03:34 PM

Factory suff

bronko22000 · 08-16-2008, 07:08 PM

Ruger - It that the M77 .270 you are shooting? If so, I would suggest you try Nosler Ballistic Tips or Sierra Game Kings in the 130 gr weight. And you might want to try IMR4350 powder. This is a good powder for the 270. My pet load of 55 gr of IMR4350 under a Nosler BT is extremely accurate in my rifle and has worked well in quite a few others, give or take a grain or two.
And as soon as you can, get a qualified gunsmith to do a trigger job for you. My 77 trigger was horrible and the $25 I spent on a trigger job was well worth it.

RugerM77.270 · 08-16-2008, 07:15 PM

Sorry for got to point out these were 130 gr Gamekings I was shooting. As for the Ballistic tips I PERSONALLY don't like them, just my opinion though.
I know I have to get the trigger lightened. I shoot good with it if I focus on it.

stubblejumper · 08-16-2008, 09:43 PM

Personally,I don't see much promise in the load with groups averaging 2" to 3" compared to the factory load doing much better.It is quite possible that your gun simply doesn't like the bullet/powder combination.As for the 59.2gr load,I would not bet on pulling the third shot as the overal group size falls right in line with the other powder charges.Two shots will often fall close together,but it doesn't necessarily mean anything more than random luck.

Rifle Loony · 08-16-2008, 10:52 PM

Some .270's won't do well with 130's at all...had one and it liked 140's and 150's much better.

My 15" .270 Encore however, wouldn't shoot anything BUT 130's.......

Play around up near max and see if you can get a one grain range of charges to hit the same point of impact, load the middle weight as your charge. tweak the seating depth up and down to tighten groups. You'll have the sweetspot........

RugerM77.270 · 08-17-2008, 07:47 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: stubblejumper

Personally,I don't see much promise in the load with groups averaging 2" to 3" compared to the factory load doing much better.It is quite possible that your gun simply doesn't like the bullet/powder combination.As for the 59.2gr load,I would not bet on pulling the third shot as the overal group size falls right in line with the other powder charges.Two shots will often fall close together,but it doesn't necessarily mean anything more than random luck.

When I said promise I was meaning that I am not a MOA shooter and that on the last load I knew that I pulled the 3rd shot when the trigger broke. I actually had a bad pull on just about every group but the factory stuff. The trigger is really heavyand a lightening job is in the future.

bronko22000 · 08-18-2008, 09:06 PM

Ruger - I know shooting a riflewith a heavy trigger accurately is tough to say the least. So until you get the trigger done, take a bit of advice.
Be sure you have a solid bench.
Have the forearm cradled in sandbags or 'rabbit ear' shooting bag. (preferrably on a vertical adjusting platform). Be sure to position the forearm on the bags at the same location on the forearm each time
Have the stock setting on bags also.
After loading and putting On Safe, settle into the stock. Get comfortable. And pull the stock back into your shoulder tightly with your shooting hand. I like to bring my off hand up and cup the fingers of my shooting hand (as if I were shooting a handgun).
Don't try to muscle the crosshairs onto the target. Adjust the rest/bags as needed.
Now flip off the safe - take a breath. And focus on the target. Before you start to squeeze the trigger, pay attention to how much pressure you are pulling back into your shoulder and your cheek pressure.
Squeeze the trigger until the shot goes off. If the crosshair drift, just stop applying pressure to the trigger and then continue when they are back on target.
I know this sounds a bit windy but I'm trying to be as helpful as I can, not know your shooting experience.
But please note, That any change in pressure, either from your cheek, shoulder, forearm on the bags, etc. will all change the point of impact. The trick is to try to be as consistant as you can shot after shot.
Hope this helps. And again, I didn't mean to sound like I was beating a dead horse. Just trying to help out.