270 Win with Barnes 130 gr TTSX starting point?

sjhgraysage · Jan 1, 2016

I'm looking for some starting point load info. The rifle is a new to me Weatherby Ultra Lite 270 Winchester with the 24" fluted barrel.
Powders I have available to work with are:
H4831, H4350, H4895
IMR4064, IMR4350, IMR4831
Alliant Reloader 15, 17, 19, and 22

I have loaded for the 270 for years but have not loaded this Barnes bullet so far.
Thanks

Cahunter805 · Jan 1, 2016

I would load h4831 or rl19. Load them .050 off the lands to start.
I think from memory my load is 58gr of h4831sc lit by fed210m.

BIGJOHNT · Jan 1, 2016

I have been reloading the 130 grain Ttsx for my daughters 270. I have been using the H 4350 w/55 grains of powder. They have been coming out of her Ruger Stainless M77 at 3130 fps.Its a pretty short barreled rifle. I think it's 22" long. I have also bought some Barnes Vor-tx ammo 130 Ttsx and they chronograph them exactly the same as my hand loads. She has taken a Antelope and a bull elk this last year with that load. One shot kill on both. The Antelope at 400 yards threw the heart . The bull the same but at 25 yards. Hope this helps .

sjhgraysage · Jan 2, 2016

Thanks guys!
Since I have both of those powders, I'll try starting below your loads a bit and work up, and see if either powder groups better than the other.

Zeke · Jan 2, 2016

The last 130 gr 270 win's I loader were stuffed with some RL-17 but over the years it's seen more IMR4831 than anything else.
Regardless of what powder you use it'll be a helluva big game load with those TTSX pills and all those powder suggestions sound pretty solid to me.
Zeke

ElevenBravo · Jan 9, 2016

Barnes bullets generally want to be seated a bit further off the lands than a conventional bullet. The load for the wife's .308 Win, I have to seat them about .05 deeper than a Hornady Interlock of the same weight. This is due to the hardness and monolithic construction of the bullet and needs a bit more pressure to get down the barrel.

So when you're working on seating depth, start a bit deeper than usual.

sjhgraysage · Jan 9, 2016

Thanks!
So I did some testing today. I used several powders including H4831, H4350, Reloder 17, and IMR4350. I loaded 3 cases with some starting loads with each of these powders. So far it appears that further work will be done using Reloder 17 and IMR4350, these two had the smallest three shot groups, nearly the same actually. Pressure indications seem low so there is opportunity to increase the charges a bit. I did not take the chronograph so I don't know the velocities yet.

k22hornet · Jan 26, 2016

I hit just over 3,200fps, safely, in my 270 with RE22, but I got horizontal stringing. Went with H4831sc and H4350 and got great accuracy, but lost 50fsps.

sjhgraysage · Jun 28, 2016

Update:
I have settled on Reloader 17 for powder, it has definitely produced the smallest groups. I have been able to get three shot groups that are right at 1/2". I also took my chronograph out last Saturday morning and checked the speed. I found that I was getting a consistent 3220 feet per second.
I'm having a CDS system added to the Leupold scope and should be ready for fall. I drew a Mtn Goat tag in WA so this light rifle is going to get used.

Zeke · Jun 28, 2016

You must have a "fast" barrel!
I've never been able to safely get any of the many 270 Win's to shoot 3200 fps. You're right up there with 270 WSM velocities so use care.
You'll have a great hunt, for sure.
Zeke

Zeke · Jun 29, 2016

sjhgraysage,
Please don't interpret my post as meaning you cannot get 3200 fps, as it only means that in MY experience with MY rifles that it's a bit on the too fast, too much pressure side. As we know, every rifle has it's own personality and characteristics.
Keep up the good work and have a great adventure.

Zeke

PS: your powder and bullet choice is exactly what I would use.

tex270 · Jun 30, 2016

I have been reloading my 270 since 1971, and my powder of choice is, h4831. I load a 130 gr Nosler partion, with 58.5 gr, CCI 250 primer and my chrono always shows about 2975. I could get a few more fps, with another grain of powder, but it does not group as well. I always get about 1 moa in my old 270 Winchester model 70. My second choice of powders is IMR 4320. H450 use to be my favorite, but I exhausted my supply of it and now it is not available.

springvilleshooter · Jul 1, 2016

Please use much care. I honestly don't believe that a 270 Win can safely shoot 130 grain bullets at 3200. I have loaded a bunch of them with all combinations of powders and bullets. I've seen guns that would flirt with 3100 but those were premium 26" barrels with very warm loads. Most 270's shoot 130's at 3000-3050 with warm loads.

Anyway proceed with caution and good luck.-----SS