Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 270 Weatherby and Berger 170 VLD help

Greetings...

I just picked up a box of 170 VLD's to try in my 270 Weatherby. It is a 1:10 twist but I would like to play around and see what happens.

Curios to know if anyone has tried loading for this in a Weatherby, where to start?

Thanks

Regardless of caliber/cartridge and as with any new bullets you are trying for the first time, you simply start from the beginning recognizing that your rifle is its own separate individual from all other 270 Bees.

I have used the hunting VLDs for a few years now and still do in my 300 WSM with the same 1:10 twist. I eventually found the best powders, charges, seating depths etc for best accuracy for each VLD bullet weight I use,,,that work best in my rifle. You must do the same. No shortcuts.

If your reloading manuals don't specify any 170 gr VLDs but show other 170 gr bullet brands, then choose a powder or powders that you have already used and like and start reloading 4 to 5 grains less than published maximums. And increase as warranted from there by 1/2 grain until you notice pressure signs and/or accuracy decline.

One of the successful keys to VLD accuracy is finding the best "distance from the lands" sweet spots (COAL) for your individual rifle for each VLD that you use.

Reco VLD loadings that might come your way on this thread that work great in other 270 Bees, may not work so well in your rifle.

TUAM76 -

VLDs Interesting!
Last few years I spent a lot of time building an elk load for my 270 Wby. Even though I started out with custom 700 action and match
barrel the load made the real deal. Give some thought to this load.
I am a fairly new reloader but it is a nail driver in my rifle.
Nosler Brass, Fed primmer, 70g Viht N560, 140 Nosler Accubonds.
Shot the combo a lot at 400-500yds.Slammed a 6x6 with 140AB as well as
a moving out Yoti way off far. Living in Nosler land have confidence in their 140 AB and this summer loading Nosler 130 ETips but will try the VLDs.

Does your comment "a 10" twist but I would like to play around ..." mean you're aware Berger suggests that bullet wants an 8" twist?

Cartridge : .270 Weath. Mag.
Bullet : .277, 180, Woodleigh PP
Useable Case Capaci: 73.683 grain H2O = 4.784 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.295 inch = 83.69 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 63000 psi, or 434 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 105 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
ADI AR 2218 105.0 76.0 4.92 3027 99.5 60928 15074 1.309 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570 101.6 72.7 4.71 3018 99.3 63000 14765 1.320 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80 104.7 77.1 5.00 3013 99.8 63000 14512 1.317 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33 103.4 76.2 4.94 3007 99.5 63000 14598 1.322 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2225 105.0 71.7 4.65 2960 100.0 62423 12706 1.319 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo 105.0 71.7 4.65 2960 100.0 62423 12706 1.319 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 93.2 64.7 4.19 2941 100.0 63000 13060 1.321 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 93.5 67.5 4.37 2941 99.8 63000 13323 1.328 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2 100.7 68.4 4.43 2941 100.0 63000 12966 1.334 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP30 100.7 68.4 4.43 2941 100.0 63000 12966 1.334 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517 95.9 69.5 4.51 2940 100.0 63000 12760 1.321 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12 95.7 69.4 4.50 2938 100.0 63000 12727 1.321 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41 104.7 75.7 4.91 2931 95.5 63000 13779 1.307 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 97.4 64.3 4.17 2929 100.0 63000 12596 1.312 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 92.1 64.3 4.17 2929 100.0 63000 12596 1.312 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214 97.2 68.5 4.44 2925 100.0 63000 12360 1.305 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 91.3 64.7 4.19 2923 100.0 63000 12475 1.332 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217 102.2 68.7 4.45 2923 100.0 63000 12326 1.305 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000 102.2 68.7 4.45 2923 100.0 63000 12326 1.305 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-26 89.9 65.7 4.25 2922 100.0 63000 12296 1.344 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213 93.3 64.1 4.15 2920 100.0 63000 12542 1.308 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 88.7 64.2 4.16 2915 100.0 63000 12116 1.316 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 98.5 66.5 4.31 2913 100.0 63000 12020 1.326 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15 96.0 64.5 4.18 2909 100.0 63000 12426 1.328 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR 96.0 64.5 4.18 2909 100.0 63000 12426 1.328 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 93.5 64.2 4.16 2908 100.0 63000 12397 1.328 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 93.5 64.2 4.16 2908 100.0 63000 12397 1.328 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation 93.5 64.2 4.16 2908 100.0 63000 12397 1.328 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H870 105.0 73.6 4.77 2908 99.6 57042 13966 1.386 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-50 105.0 77.1 5.00 2906 98.4 56331 14661 1.418 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation 97.1 67.2 4.36 2904 99.8 63000 12678 1.307 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 217 105.0 70.2 4.55 2901 100.0 57916 12944 1.390 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 94.9 64.0 4.15 2891 100.0 63000 12305 1.325 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum 93.4 69.1 4.48 2887 100.0 63000 11841 1.330 ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209 90.6 61.2 3.96 2875 100.0 63000 11818 1.313 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 91.0 61.8 4.01 2872 100.0 63000 11872 1.320 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation 91.7 62.3 4.04 2867 100.0 63000 11798 1.321 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N170 105.0 70.5 4.57 2867 98.3 62641 12741 1.340 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 96.2 63.5 4.11 2865 100.0 63000 11963 1.317 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC 92.5 63.5 4.11 2865 100.0 63000 11963 1.317 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D100 102.3 74.8 4.85 2857 95.9 63000 12705 1.326 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4 89.4 60.7 3.93 2854 100.0 63000 11612 1.319 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 86.6 60.7 3.93 2854 100.0 63000 11612 1.319 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation 89.4 60.7 3.93 2854 100.0 63000 11612 1.319 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60 82.5 58.8 3.81 2853 100.0 63000 11099 1.330 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 82.0 58.9 3.81 2852 100.0 63000 11405 1.329 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 82.0 58.9 3.81 2852 100.0 63000 11405 1.329 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511 84.0 60.7 3.94 2850 100.0 63000 11383 1.330 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 86.8 60.8 3.94 2849 100.0 63000 11368 1.330 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 95.3 63.4 4.11 2842 100.0 63000 11138 1.344 ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17 81.8 58.3 3.78 2840 100.0 63000 11035 1.333 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 81.8 58.3 3.78 2840 100.0 63000 11035 1.333 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62 85.0 60.5 3.92 2836 100.0 63000 11118 1.347 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904 90.5 60.6 3.92 2836 100.0 63000 11453 1.318 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780 90.1 64.5 4.18 2832 100.0 63000 11345 1.329 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385 91.1 62.6 4.06 2832 100.0 63000 11279 1.342 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors 12,7mmRA NC1214 Lot20115087 105.0 75.4 4.89 2830 91.8 56147 14099 1.433 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 96.6 62.9 4.08 2821 100.0 63000 11266 1.322 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation 87.2 60.1 3.90 2821 100.0 63000 11089 1.333 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 84.0 58.3 3.78 2821 100.0 63000 11033 1.339 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 96.1 64.6 4.18 2821 100.0 63000 11066 1.334 ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP 86.3 58.0 3.76 2818 100.0 63000 10889 1.337 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation 86.3 58.0 3.76 2818 100.0 63000 10886 1.337 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361 89.7 64.9 4.20 2814 100.0 63000 11353 1.329 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 89.2 59.3 3.84 2812 100.0 63000 10925 1.322 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350 85.3 58.0 3.76 2811 100.0 63000 10815 1.357 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 87.5 59.1 3.83 2811 100.0 63000 10897 1.322 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071 99.1 63.7 4.13 2807 100.0 63000 10904 1.362 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100 93.7 63.7 4.13 2807 100.0 63000 10904 1.362 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070 86.6 58.2 3.77 2805 100.0 63000 10888 1.338 ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365 87.4 59.1 3.83 2802 100.0 63000 10539 1.352 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831 90.5 58.9 3.82 2800 100.0 63000 10653 1.347 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7 NT ~approximation 82.5 56.5 3.66 2799 100.0 63000 10602 1.310 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907 85.1 56.7 3.68 2796 100.0 63000 10797 1.328 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7 85.1 56.7 3.68 2796 100.0 63000 10797 1.328 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC 82.4 56.8 3.68 2796 100.0 63000 10790 1.328 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 11 80.8 56.7 3.67 2792 100.0 63000 10517 1.335 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 50 80.5 56.9 3.69 2789 100.0 63000 10586 1.330 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 80.2 55.7 3.61 2787 100.0 63000 10557 1.339 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Big Game 78.2 56.6 3.67 2787 100.0 63000 10407 1.335 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895 78.1 53.0 3.44 2783 100.0 63000 10428 1.338 ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 516 77.6 56.1 3.64 2783 100.0 63000 10466 1.329 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon CFE223 73.9 55.9 3.62 2782 100.0 63000 10389 1.336 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15 78.9 53.6 3.47 2782 100.0 63000 10401 1.336 ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA11 78.9 53.6 3.47 2782 100.0 63000 10401 1.336 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP11 ~approximation 78.9 53.6 3.47 2782 100.0 63000 10401 1.336 ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065 85.8 57.0 3.70 2778 100.0 63000 10491 1.338 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot TAC 75.8 55.5 3.60 2775 100.0 63000 10417 1.325 ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203B 79.2 53.8 3.49 2774 100.0 63000 10324 1.339 ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3 NT ~approximation 84.0 56.7 3.67 2773 100.0 63000 10319 1.322 ! Near Maximum !
Elcho TR140 - preliminary data 80.0 56.1 3.64 2772 100.0 63000 10302 1.335 ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 52 78.3 55.0 3.56 2770 100.0 63000 10232 1.346 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 88.6 58.2 3.77 2768 100.0 63000 10071 1.342 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon US 869 105.0 76.0 4.92 2767 93.0 52942 13183 1.431
Ramshot Wild Boar 75.2 54.6 3.54 2765 100.0 63000 10207 1.333 ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 7 75.9 55.3 3.59 2765 100.0 63000 10218 1.340 ! Near Maximum !

Yep. Have one on order. Thought I read muledeer saying he was shooting them pretty accurately in his 270 win 10 twist.

They are real long bullets.

Thought I would add more to this topic...

Spoke with Berger today regarding twist rate etc. Interesting conversation, I learned as many of you may already know that altitude and velocity play an important role in bullet stabilization.

The gentleman I was speaking with recommended I use the twist rate calculator on Berger's site to determine what twist is required for this bullet given what velocity I expect with cartridge employed and also at what altitude I would use this bullet.

I entered values (2900 FPS and 8000') and the calculator suggests that with a 10 twist my bullet is in the comfortable stability segment...

Still have a 9 twist ordered but wanted to share with group.

...But now that I think about it, my local shooting range does not sit at 8000', which is where I would be doing most of my load testing...doh!

My shooting range may be at 48', it's surrounded by rice fields and crawfish ponds.