Reloading bullets

jgchevyman · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:38 pm Post subject: Reloading bullets

I am new to reloading, i have been researching reloading data for the 270 WIN that I deer hunt with. I am looking to reload with aq 150 grain bullet an I am still trying to decide what brand bullet to use. I am wondering if I found a reloading recipe using a 150 gr Barnes bullet if it would be safe to substitute this bullet with another brand bullet with the same bullet gr.

wncchester · Member Joined: Apr 08, 2006 Posts: 160

"...if it would be safe to substitute this bullet with another brand bullet with the same bullet gr."

Yes. The biggest single thing we can change in any book load is the weapon it's fired in so, strong personal opinions to the contrary, all book data is basically generic.

There's only ONE thing that can't safely be changed. The rule, "Start low and ONLY work up IF no over pressure signs occur." That rule, and only that one can take care of all variations in bullets, primers, cases AND weapons.

jgchevyman · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

Thanks........ Like I said I am new to reloading and I realize I have alot to learn. I have been researching reloading for about a year now to make sure it would be for me and I am realizing that it is something I will really enjoy doing, not to mention the benifits of reloading my own ammo. I just want to make sure I understand everthing about the process before I actually start,

I have been researching load data for my 270 WIN for some time now. Does anyone have any load data for this caliber that works well fore them?

wiersy111 · Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2009 10:39 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

My personal loads are Sierra 130gr BT with 57gr IMR4831 which is just under max load. But the same Sierra 130gr BT with 52.5gr IMR 4350. The IMR 4350 is about 150 fps slower. These loads both work well in my Remington 700 BDL. But they look like a scatter gun in my fathers Smith & Wesson 1500, that gun just loves Remington 130gr Bronze Points. Working up a load is the fun part of handloading. It seems like I am in a minority using IMR powders on this site. Always play it safe with hand loads.

1895ss · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 1:59 am Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

jgchevyman wrote:

I am new to reloading, i have been researching reloading data for the 270 WIN that I deer hunt with. I am looking to reload with aq 150 grain bullet an I am still trying to decide what brand bullet to use. I am wondering if I found a reloading recipe using a 150 gr Barnes bullet if it would be safe to substitute this bullet with another brand bullet with the same bullet gr.

You don't need a 150 gr bullet from your .270 to stop a deer, and certainly not a Barnes bullet. A 130 gr bullet from that 270 will stop a deer in it's tracks.............!!

Grumulkin · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:34 am Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

Yea, what 1895ss said. You don't need a 150 gr. bullet. In addition, if you decide to go with a Barnes TSX, a lighter one will probably shoot better than a 150 grainer and will be just as effective.

Since Barnes bullets are made out of copper, they are longer than a copper jacketed lead bullet of the same weight. This means they'll be longer and will need a faster twist to stabilize properly. Also, there will be more of the bullet inside the case with a longer bullet and thus less available room to hold the powder.

chambered221 · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

I could sit here and tell you about all the deer my dad has killed with a 6mm Remington with 85-100gr bullets and the next guy will tell you the merits of a 300mag loaded with 180gr premium bullets.

Bottom line, you got to figure out what works for you and what gives you the confidence to effectively get the job done!!!

As to your question, typically you can interchange bullet weights as long as you reduce your load and work back up looking for pressure signs.
As a rule of thumb never just replace a component (especially with a max load) with another brand without reducing and working back up.
Too many variables that can create a dangerous situation.

I use the bullet manufactures data as my starting point.

fnuser · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

In your other thread on powder I posted I like the heavier bullets and the 150's are great for me I think you'll find one of three or four powders working for you imr4831, h4831, rl22, or imr7828; the h4831sc and rl22 will drop the best if you're using a charger.

TRBLSHTR · Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

jgchevyman-FWIW;out west here we use 270 winchester in two bullet weights primarily,and we rate them on the type of game we are hunting.I personally have loaded for a 270 for about twenty years that I recently "inherited",and the loads were always called deer,and elk loads consecutively.130 grain for deer and 150 grain for elk.Shooters have generally found that the 150's will zip thru a deer without much expansion,and upon exiting at a high rate of speed the animal may not be "hit" very hard not to mention where that projectile might be going after it's short slowing down episode.Have fun,hunt safe,shoot alot,and reload more than you shoot! Very Happy

PaulS · Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:07 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

Some of the Barnes bullets have a very low drag in the barrel due to the reduced bearing bands (grooved). They can use more powder to get the same pressure when reloaded. DO NOT USE Barnes data with other bullets of the same weight without double checking the recommended load data, it can cause serious pressure increases!

44marty · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:18 am Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

You just can't go wrong for deer with Nosler partitions.

PaulS · Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:06 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

I have found that Speer hot core, and Sierra Game kings are fine for deer - even the big ones we have in Pacific Northwest. I reserve the Nosler bullets for game more dangerous than deer because they can ruin a lot of meat..

wncchester · Member Joined: Apr 08, 2006 Posts: 160

"DO NOT USE Barnes data with other bullets of the same weight without double checking the recommended load data, it can cause serious pressure increases!"

Well, that caution surely applies IF the loader goes directly to a full listed charge but that's NEVER a safe practice. Anyone following the rule of starting low and only working up to book max unless/until signs of pressure occur will be quite safe following any authoritative data. Thus, Barne's loading data by bullet weight and powder type is no different from any other source. ??

No one actually needs premium, or heavy for caliber, hunting bullets of any type unless he's pushing either the game size or distance limits for his cartridge. That ignores the fact than some rifles do shoot certain bullets very well and good accuracy always counts. But, the various middle weight game bullets from all makers are very good and will fill most hunter's needs quite well.

44marty · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 6:53 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

Bottom line, you got to figure out what works for you and what gives you the confidence to effectively get the job done!!!

That sure is the truth, 221

slimjim · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 7:04 pm Post subject: Re: Reloading bullets

there is so much good data available out there for lead-core bullets, I wouldn't even suggest anyone even looking at Barnes data even if its just the minimum. It just isn't worth it or any confusion it might cause.

Other than reloading as a teenager, I've only been reloading for a year now. I had been to the range several times and thought I knew how to look for signs of overpressure. I read about it and people described it. One day I took some of my spent cases in to show my reloading mentor, he pulled out a magnifying glass and taught me that I was missing the signs. My primers were flatten some but I just wasn't seeing it. Then he showed me how the firing pin dimple had a ridge on it on one of my max loads. See is believing and now I know what to look for.