Poor 270 Federal Ammunition

[NigelM]

I had a couple of friends over this morning who wanted to chronograph their factory ammunition before we go on a Long Range gong day in a few weeks time. Both use 270 Win, both 24" barrels, one a Sako 85 and the other a Rem 700.

Ammunition was Federal Premium using Sierra 130 GameKings. Information on the packet suggested 3060fps. One of the guys had bought it in Dorset, the other in Essex. I didn't check the batch numbers but both said they had purchased it recently.

Average velocity out of the Sako was 2810fps, out of the Rem 700 2830 fps. ES was around 75, ignoring one bullet which if included would have made it 150.

I know the Chronograph is accurate as it's the one I use for my own load development and velocities are backed up by actual drops.

In my book this ammunition is very poor. It doesn't make the most of the velocity potential of the 270 Win and the inconsistency round to round make it very unpredictable to use at range. At worst the performance they suggest it achieves is deliberately misleading.

What can people recommend as a better alternative so the guys can go and buy some before they try to hit steel at 600 meters and get exceptionally frustrated? Nothing exotic, preferably readily available. Norma, RWS? Ideally recommendations from people who have chronographed rather than just believe it to be better.

 

[sauer404]

Federal are usually consistent, but I did actually have a box once that was all over the place in my .308

 

[Longstrider]

I had a batch of .270 Federal 130grain that simply didn't 'do what it said on the tin'. It wouldn't group worth a damn through my Sako that's normally happy making one-holers at 100. Never bought Federal ammo since.
If I need factory .270 I'll wait until I can get Norma or Winchester. It'll be a while though as I have almost a ticket-full of hand load to get through first

 

[Dalua]

I've never been hugely surprised when the manufacturer's figures prove to be on the generous side.
Add to that the concept (being charitable) that yours might be slower barrels than theirs and that it's probabably colder where you are than where they chronoed for the factory data, one can perhaps see where a couple of 100 fps get lost?

 

[Shootgun]

I’m using Sako in my.270 and they are excellent!

 

[NigelM]

Thanks for the replies.

Shootgun, those Sako's look like they do what they say on the tin. What bullets do they use and how have you found terminal effects? Explosive and destructive or reasonable?

 

[Shootgun]

Thanks for the replies.

Shootgun, those Sako's look like they do what they say on the tin. What bullets do they use and how have you found terminal effects? Explosive and destructive or reasonable?

Those are the Powerhead 2, loaded with 110 grains Barnes TTSX.
I found them very reasonable damage wise.

 

[NigelM]

No wonder they're zipping along a bit!

I used 120 TTSX in the 280ai at 3250fps and they were surprisingly good in terms of damage and very accurate too.

 

[Malxwal]

I remember being told by an owner of a gun shop (who did indeed reload for his own rifles) that RWS were best for quality and consistency.

 

[Hunter5567]

I believe the Hornady Superperformance line gets real close to the factory claimed velocity and is a rebrand of the Light Magnum line but with newer powders and current technology bullets.

 

[CarlW]

As I have told @North Stalker and @Woodsmoke a dozen times already, it isn't the ammo; it is just that it is a terrible calibre, fit only for blue-face-painted, tarten-wearing, orange-wigged Jocks with anger issues...

 

[North Stalker]

Having shot over 2000 deer with a .270 using 130gr Federal Powershok, I have 100% faith in that Calibre. I’ve used Powershok in .308, .243, 22-250, .270 (Tikka), 270 (Sako x2). The ammunition has worked faultlessly in all.
Currently running at 2983fps out my Carbonlight. Shot deer out to over 400m with confidence (I’m sure the armchair stalkers will have a dig at me for that ).

@CarlW , my emoticons didn’t show up when I posted on here, but I’m sure you can visualise them!

 

[Woodsmoke]

As I have told @North Stalker and @Woodsmoke a dozen times already, it isn't the ammo; it is just that it is a terrible calibre, fit only for blue-face-painted, tarten-wearing, orange-wigged Jocks with anger issues...

It's just too much gun for you Southern softies, that's all it is

And just look how PRETTY it is

 

[User00003]

I remember being told by an owner of a gun shop (who did indeed reload for his own rifles) that RWS were best for quality and consistency.

that and norma.

I pick norma every time, I don't like the modern rws bullets

 

[A Guy Out West]

Don't know if you can get it there, but Hornady factory stuff has met the advertised fps for me in 2 of my rifles. Accurate too.

 

[NigelM]

Well he took the advice and got some Norma for both 243 (100g soft points) and 270 (130 soft points). Chronographed them today. The 5 shot ES on the 243 was 46 fps and the 270 was 28 fps. Velocity in the 243 averaged 3042 fps and the 270 was 3032 fps.

They did what they said on the tin and were far more consistent than the Federal. He will be sticking with the Norma from now on.

 

[swaro79]

had to at what woodsmoke said as I use one myself for reds' use the norma 130gr soft points and they seem to work well only downfall with norma is price of box over £50deer haven't complaint yet using them!the .270 does need a mans hands to handle but once your dialled in with it look out.

 

[Rasputin]

Used to shoot Federal powershok and they were good then got some federal non toxic which were horrendous. Now just use Winchester. Much cheaper than the Norma and just as accurate.

 

[Dickie]

tThe thing is the Rem might like one brand and the Sako another it's a bit of a buy and try, I had a .243 years ago and RWS were a good as I could be, Federal were there or there about but Norma wouldnt group on a dinner plate

 

[M275]

I tried some old Federal 150gn ammunition in my Tikka about 2 weeks ago, and managed two 5-shot groups of 82mm and 62mm. I wasn't very impressed. On a good day with my very best handloads the rifle is good for 25mm groups, with a 39mm average across 5 different handloads.