This weekend was probably my most productive weekend of shooting ever. With muzzleloader season opening next weekend and gun season two weeks after that, I needed to ensure everything my dad, sister, and I are going to use this season got sighted in. By "everything", I meant:

T/C Encore muzzleloader (blued)
T/C Encore muzzleloader (stainless)
CVA Optima V2 handgun
Weatherby Vanguard 270 Winchester
300 Win Mag T/C Encore handgun
Ruger Blackhawk 41 Magnum
Smith & Wesson Performance Center 14" Model 460
Weatherby Mark V 300 Weatherby

As an added bonus, several of those guns had handloads awaiting testing. Woohoo! Let's get started.

The blued and stainless muzzleloaders were pretty much sighted in last weekend, but I needed some velocity data so I can map out their scopes' BDC reticles. Using T/C shockwave 250 grain bullets and three pellets of 777 in both guns, I got 2,111 and 2,145 fps, respectively.

It seems my 270 doesn't like the SSTs seated long, so I used the loadbook listed seating depth of 3.210". That seemed to take care of the double grouping. I sighted the 270 in about 1.5" high at 100 yards. Using Federal brass, 130 grain Hornady SST bullets, Federal Large Rifle primers, and 55.0 grains of IMR 4451 powder:
3,143 fps average, 33 fps s.d.

My dad's 300 Weatherby seemed to prefer some Federal factory loads to my 150 grain SST handloads, so we just sighted it in with the Federals loaded with 180 grain Sierra Gameking bullets.



With the long guns sighted in, I switched my focus to my handguns.

The first on the agenda was to get my Optima dialed in with the 200 grain XPBs I plan to use for hunting. I've been using some Berry's plated 200 grain hollowpoints for cheap practice, but was unsure whether the XPBs would hit the same place. When I nailed the bullseye at 100 yards on my second shot, my question was answered.

Next, I wanted to ensure my 300 Win Mag Encore was sighted in. Although my primary focus this season will be my 460 and 41, I promised a two friends I'd get them some does for the meat for their families. If I can't get the job done with the revolvers, I'll fall back on the Encore to get the job done.
Using Winchester brass, Winchester WLRM primers, 150 grain Barnes TTSX bullets, and 65.5 grains of IMR 4064 powder:
2,831 fps average, 30 fps s.d.

Next, the 41 Magnum. Using Starline brass, Federal Large Pistol primers, 250 grain Cast Performance WFNGC bullets, and H110 powder:
17.9 grains: 1,217 average, 16 s.d.
18.1 grains: 1,236 average, 4 s.d.
18.3 grains: 1,234 average, 6 s.d.
18.5 grains: 1,244 average, 15 s.d.
The Weaver #301 mount and scope held tight. Due to the consistent velocity, I'll go with the 18.1 grain load.

Finally, the 460. The last time I shot it, my groups with the 240 grain XTP-Mags and 275 grain XPBs resembled buckshot patterns rather than groups, but the 200 grain FTXs did fine. However, I wanted to try one more bullet before I resigned myself to the FTX - the 200 grain Barnes XPB (the pointed one). Using Starline brass, Federal Large Rifle primers, 200 grain Barnes XPB bullets, and H110 and Accurate No.9 powders:
H110:
45.5 gr.: 2,276 average, 102 s.d.
46.0 gr.: 2,206 average, 40 s.d.
46.5 gr.: 2,290 average, 28 s.d.

No.9:
45.0 gr.: 2,467 average, 95 s.d.
45.5 gr.: 2,443 average, 28 s.d.
46.0 gr.: 2,487 average, 41 s.d.

The H110 loads were quite inconsistent as far as velocity goes, but the max load was fairly accurate, producing a roughly 1.75" group. However, it was the max load of No.9 that astounded me:



That's a .910" 5 shot group at 100 yards. Not only is it my best group ever with a 460 S&W, it's one of my best handgun groups, period. I adjusted the scope up and to the right, and I'll load some more rounds to ensure it's zeroed before gun season.


So, everything is sighted in and ready to go. Come on, November 4th!

Glad you got your 270 sorted. Good hunting.