270 WSM Load Recommendations

Ltsheets · Mar 16, 2015

Hey guys and gals. Just bought a Browning Xbolt Stainless carbon stalker yesterday and will be topping it with a Swaro Z3 3-10x44. This will be my backcountry gun for when weight is a factor. I already have a decent bullet selection as I own 2 other .270 win's but I'm looking for some load advice. Some bullets I already have that I'm considering are...130gr Swift Scirrocos, 130gr TTSX, 130gr TSX, and 140AB. I'm considering buying some 140 or 150 Berger VLDs and the new Barnes 129LRX. Powder I already have that I want to try are H1000 and RL22. Thoughts?

Zeke · Mar 16, 2015

You already have a selection of the RIGHT hunting bullets. IMHO
With that said, do whatever you want.
Zeke

sageadvice · Mar 16, 2015

You may want to consider sitting down a evening and go back thru all the archive threads here on just your subject. There have been many 270WSM loading threads and most have some really great info. I just quickly found one from back a few years but the info is still as good, or as bad, as it was back then. Good luck...

http://www.monstermuleys.info/cgi-b...hread&om=2988&forum=DCForumID22&archive=yes#6

Keep us posted!

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

Ltsheets · Mar 16, 2015

Thanks Joey. I'll take a look.

lip_curl · Mar 16, 2015

my abolt shot 140ABs pretty well, but it absolutely loved 150s... hornady SSTs or bergers. i have a buddy that got the same results with an xbolt. both would group < 6" at 600yards w/ either bullet. we like RE17. i think i have a post or two in the link sage just sent.

Ltsheets · Mar 16, 2015

I just ordered some 150 VLDs. I'm thinking that I'll work a load for the swift sciroccos and a load for the bergers. I've heard that the scrioccos hold together better than the AB's at close range. Anyone seen this to be the case or had issues with the AB's coming apart too much on close shots?

marcusrobinson · Mar 16, 2015

I sent you a PM.

Zeke · Mar 16, 2015

>I just ordered some 150 VLDs.
> I'm thinking that I'll
>work a load for the
>swift sciroccos and a load
>for the bergers. I've
>heard that the scrioccos hold
>together better than the AB's
>at close range. Anyone
>seen this to be the
>case or had issues with
>the AB's coming apart too
>much on close shots?

I've shot a train-car load of deer with the 130 AB .277 and a dozen elk with the 200 AB .308 and have never seen what you're saying some have experience with then.
The Bergers are on the other end of the spectrum. Be prepared for a fragile bullet so placement is VERY critical. They might be "shooters" but they're not "hunters" IMHO. Some will argue but they also know they're fragile if they've actually killed with them. Bergers would be a great gong-ringer but I'd never recommend them as a hunting bullet. Yes, I've used them so I have some experience with them.
Lots of powders will work well but I settled on Mag Pro in my 270 WSM.
Good luck,
Zeke

sageadvice · Mar 16, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Mar-16-15 AT 01:37PM (MST)[p]My rifle, Win 70 classic, didn't like the LR Accubonds, I think it was the 1-10" twist, just not enough to stabilize the longer bullets.

My last choices in bullets would be Bergers, too fragile for me, or Round nosed Core-locs, don't fly fer crap, but that's my opinion as well as others.

The 150 SST shot very nice thru my gun and killed stuff nicely but they tended to open quickly and not penetrate as well as i like. I found that i liked what the 140 gr Accubond did even better. IMO, the 270WSM with 140 Accubonds is a heap deadly combo of a hunting cartridge from close in to ranges which might be farther than i personally care to shoot at a big game animal!

Joey

"It's all about knowing what your firearms practical limitations are and combining that with your own personal limitations!"

Zeke · Mar 16, 2015

I think Joey is right, The 140 AB might just be a better all around hunting bullet in the WSM than the 130 which I shoot, but I've just never gotten around to trying them in my rifles.

The Barnes TTSX orTSX, Nosler AB or Partition and Hornady innerbond bullets have all worked so well that it would be counterproductive for me to deviate from those proven performers.

Anyways... good luck and most importantly, have fun working up a sweet load! You've only got to please one guy, YOU!

Zeke

Ltsheets · Mar 16, 2015

Thanks everyone for the info!

lip_curl · Mar 16, 2015

i had several bad experiences w/ sciroccos coming apart when they hit bone (on whitetails), and passing clean through an elk w/o doing much damage, i wont ever use them again.

SSTs fly well, but they do expand quickly, im not sure you
would want to try to crack an elk shoulder with one, but they are pretty wicked on deer, antelope, bear.

the front half of berger is designed to fragment, but the base stays together and will crack a spine. There is video of them penetrating a respectable amount of steel. If you make a good hit, the damage is more severe than with a bonded bullet...in my experiences. if you make a bad hit, the shrapnel can work in your favor and cause more bleeding than a bonded bullet might. This argument wont ever be settled on this forum, if bergers fly the best in your gun, i wouldn't hesitate to use them. the most impressive carnage ive seen on several elk,deer,bear in the last 5 years was caused by bergers. i was a skeptic as well until i tried them.

i shattered a bull's spine w/ a 140 AB at 80 yards. My only complaint with that bullet is that it didnt group much beyond 400 yards.

Cahunter805 · Mar 16, 2015

Lt
H1000 or mag pro are the powders to shoot. I'm using fed215m and loading 150vld. They absolutely hammer game and I've taken game from 50-500. The magazine length might limit you but measure your lands and follow Bergers seating depth test.

Ltsheets · Mar 18, 2015

great to hear as I have 150vld's in the mail and already have a ton of H1000 along with some 215 primers ready to go. Have you had good luck with the recommended seating depth test by berger? I tried it this past weekend in my 300wsm with 185vlds and didn't get as obvious of results as I thought I might.

>Lt
>H1000 or mag pro are the
>powders to shoot. I'm using
>fed215m and loading 150vld. They
>absolutely hammer game and I've
>taken game from 50-500. The
>magazine length might limit you
>but measure your lands and
>follow Bergers seating depth test.
>

Ltsheets · Mar 18, 2015

Interesting that you've had those experiences with the sciroccos. What was your load with the SSTs? I have a lot of the 140SSTs at home already.

>i had several bad experiences w/
>sciroccos coming apart when they
>hit bone (on whitetails), and
>passing clean through an elk
>w/o doing much damage, i
>wont ever use them again.
>
>
>SSTs fly well, but they do
>expand quickly, im not sure
>you
>would want to try to crack
>an elk shoulder with one,
>but they are pretty wicked
>on deer, antelope, bear.
>
>the front half of berger is
>designed to fragment, but the
>base stays together and will
>crack a spine. There
>is video of them penetrating
>a respectable amount of steel.
> If you make a
>good hit, the damage
>is more severe than with
>a bonded bullet...in my experiences.
> if you make a
>bad hit, the shrapnel can
>work in your favor and
>cause more bleeding than a
>bonded bullet might. This
>argument wont ever be settled
>on this forum, if bergers
>fly the best in your
>gun, i wouldn't hesitate to
>use them. the most impressive
>carnage ive seen on several
>elk,deer,bear in the last 5
>years was caused by bergers.
>i was a skeptic as
>well until i tried them.
>
>
>i shattered a bull's spine w/
>a 140 AB at 80
>yards. My only complaint with
>that bullet is that it
>didnt group much beyond 400
>yards.
>
>

Zeke · Mar 18, 2015

Don't concern yourself with bullets coming apart if you're looking to use Bergers for hunting. Just prepare yourself for a fragile bullet in pursuit of minuet accuracy gains...maybe.
Yes, I know what the experts say but having used them, I'm not a fan for hunting.
Good luck,
Zeke

lip_curl · Mar 18, 2015

i was pushing 150g SSTs w/ 61g of RE17.
you will almost always get better results when going heavy for caliber. try 150s in the 270wsm, you wont be disappointed.

when i switched from a 180 scirocco to a 210 berger in 300RUM, the improvement was much more than "minuet". effective range increased from 400 to 700.

elkhunterUT · Mar 19, 2015

I have also had great success with 150 grain Hornady SSTs and Interbonds in my .270 WSM (SSTs for antelope/deer & Interbonds for elk)

My current load is 150 gr SST or Interbond with 58 grains of H4831SC powder

Zeke · Mar 19, 2015

>i was pushing 150g SSTs w/
>61g of RE17.
>you will almost always get better
>results when going heavy for
>caliber. try 150s in the
>270wsm, you wont be disappointed.
>
>
>when i switched from a 180
>scirocco to a 210 berger
>in 300RUM, the improvement was
>much more than "minuet".
>effective range increased from 400
>to 700.

My guess is the accuracy gain from my 200 AB in my Ultra to your 210 Bergers would indeed be minuet to non-existent!
I'll place my faith in the AB's since they have accounted for a dozen+ elk and my experience with Bergers left me wanting for penetration.
I'm not trying to pee on your pet load but everyone gets an opinion and opinions are only as valid as the experience behind them and since I only know my experiences.....
We're talking polar-opposite bullet-performance with those two bullets and can't believe they're being discussed in the same thread.
I like shooting Bergers but don't make me shoot another elk with one, please.
Zeke

mtmuley · Mar 19, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Mar-19-15 AT 04:38PM (MST)[p]Why is the 180 grain Scirrocco not effective past 400 yards? mtmuley

Cahunter805 · Mar 19, 2015

Mt- I've heard many people complain the scirocco are a very hard bullet and expansion is sometimes difficult at longer ranges. Many claim pencil pass through. I've personally never shot them though.
The 200gr accubond is a pretty damn good choice in the RUM. Don't over look the hybrids from Berger though. They do some serious damage and hold together very well.

mtmuley · Mar 19, 2015

I used the 180 Scirrocco in .300 RUM back in 2000. No issues. A buddy has used it at longer ranges in an -06. Been hammering critters with the 200gr Accubond since they came out. Sorry to sorta hijack the thread. mtmuley

lip_curl · Mar 19, 2015

my group w/ sciroccos was ~18" at 500 yards.

the 200Ab groups well out of my RUM, ~1" but i get fliers.
they are my 2nd choice, the bergers punch clovers.
hit a bear in MT a few years back...blood trail was ~12" wide, chunks of flesh were draped on the sagebrush...

Whiterock · Mar 20, 2015

I like the Nosler Partition ? Accu Bond is a good bullet but I get good accuracy with 130 grain partitions over 61.5 grains of IMR4350 in my 270WSM.

Zeke · Mar 20, 2015

It's a good thing that we have such a wide choice in reloading components. Because of that, we can tailor a load just the way we want it.
I get a little opinionated and certainly don't mean to step on toes.
Keep shooting, gents. We're all better for it!
Zeke

lip_curl · Mar 24, 2015

heres a couple of pics of a deer hit with one of those oh so fragile bergers. i watched the hit w/ binos...it was one of the most intense things ive ever seen, ive never blood spray that far for that long. the hit was quartering away, 250 yards, perfect entry behind the ribs, exit out the brisket(sp?). at first glance the exit wasnt all that impressive...until we skinned the hide back and saw the brisket was pretty much non existent. all we did was skin the hide back and pull the leg for the second pic. that fragile little berger did the rest.

earlyriser · Mar 25, 2015

Dang! I've had the same questions as the OP, so I've been following this thread. Bergers definitely do some damage.

lip_curl · Mar 25, 2015

i hit a 6x6 bull quartering away at 80 yards with a 210g from a 300RUM. he hunched but was still on his feet. anyone thats shoot elk knows you keep shooting as long as they are on their feet. i didnt need a second shot, but i sent one anyhow. the inside of that rib cage was an absolute mess, it was just like clot soup, you could barely identify organs. i hit a spike bull 3X in the shoulders at close range with nosler partitions and didnt see the carnage that i saw with the bergers.

like a lot of folks, i bought into the common thinking that bonded controlled expansion and weight retention are the key to a bullets effectiveness. im glad i tried something new and changed the way i think about bullets.

Zeke · Mar 25, 2015

Like I said, there's something out there for everyone!
Congrats on your success with those bullets.

I get plenty of usable BC, accuracy and DRT performance out of the selection that I use today. 47 years of whacking big game tells me I'm on to something that works yet I'm always looking for better. Bergers are not better for MY desires but I'm glad you whacked a couple with them and it worked out just fine for you. I too have "killed" elk with bergers but because of what I saw decided to go back to a controlled expanding bullet.

Everyone KNOWS they're right so keep on killing and we'll all be happy.

Zeke

Cahunter805 · Mar 25, 2015

Zeke
I fully agree everyone has their own opinions and I respect them all. I was just curious what you didn't like about the Bergers on the elk you killed? What caliber and weight Berger? I've used many different bullets and still use quite a few for different purposes and rifles. I've had great results on game from Bergers. They are wicked in 243!

Zeke · Mar 26, 2015

LAST EDITED ON Mar-26-15 AT 10:03AM (MST)[p]That's a fair question.
I shot a cow elk at extended range and took a quartering toward me, angle shot. The cow dropped at the shot and no tracking job was needed but as I started the long hike up the hill I noticed the head was up and tried to make another shot but the moving head was all I could see, I missed.

I was concerned but luckily she only went a short distance after the initial hit. A finishing shot was placed into the ribs and the event was over. Upon skinning, I discovered the first shot in the front shoulder looked just like lipcurl's deer photos. Lots of damage on the close shoulder and only a few shotgun BB type wounds went into the kill-zone.

Yes, I got the elk. No, it wasn't my favorite kind or wound. I think they'd be great for blowing up a deer but they lack the penetration, for ME, on an elk size animal. I know tons of critters have been felled with the Berger bullet but they didn't perform to MY liking. I could go on with additional examples experienced by friends but there's no reason for redundancy.

We all know that bullets perform even more violently at closer ranges and I'd find that to be unacceptable for ME.

Round was: 6.5 WSM 140 hunting VLD and the shot was on the long-side for me.

Like I said, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm as opinionated as the next guy, be that right or wrong! LOL

I don't expect to change minds at all. I think everyone should base their opinions on their experiences and I've always said, "our opinions are only as valid as our experience".

Zeke

Cahunter805 · Mar 26, 2015

Zeke

Thank you for the truthful response. I respect your opinions. Frontal shots and quartering shots with Bergers can be very violent like you experienced. I also think many people overlook lots of factors when choosing the bullet they want to use. Using a thin jacket like the j4 on a Berger and expecting it to perform like a partition is just not gonna happen. I do know that Bergers do handle bone and thick hide pretty well though.
Like you said in today's market it sure is nice to have so many bullets to choose from and use.

Zeke · Mar 26, 2015

CaHunter805,
There are just so many fun choices out there for bullets and Berger is one of them. They shoot really well in most rifle and they have excellent ballistics.
I will continue to buy, shoot and enjoy them when used for my shooting application.
I just bear in mind that it's not the answer to every hunting /shooting situation. No bullet can "do it all".

By the way, this is another thread where guys have not seen eye to eye and expressed opinions and handled the whole thread in a dignified, respectful manner.... unlike way too many posters and threads here on MM.

Zeke

Ltsheets · Mar 27, 2015

Great thread gents. I really appreciate all the honest reponses while still keeping things civil. Right now I'm leaning towards a load with a 140AB and a 150 Berger now that I have both. I'm going to see if I can get H1000 to work out for them though I might try RL22 as well.

Ltsheets · Oct 8, 2015

Thought I'd bring this thread back with an update...

I've worked on some 150 VLD loads so far. Did a depth test with IMR 4350 b/c I think I actually forgot I wanted to use H1000 haha. Turned out ok! Shot 2 rounds of 3 shot groups following Bergers recommended way to determine the best seating depth. The load that was the most accurate was the .01 off the lands. The 2 groups averaged just under .5" I'll be testing powder charges next as soon as I can get out again. I'll post pics too. Once that load is done I'm going to develop at 140AB/H1000 load for animals that I feel need a tougher bullet. How far off the lands should I load the ABs? 0.05?

Zeke · Oct 9, 2015

Can you say "tack-driver"?
That's not too bad at all Mr Ltsheets!

The best luck I've had with seating depth for the .277 Nosler AB is somewhere between 15 and 25 thousandths (.015-.025) but a guy might get limited by the magazine box if he's using one. My 270 WSM shoots them between .6 and .8" with boring reliability using MagPro.

Zeke