I'm going to reload some ammo for a friend of mine, and have a few questions. I've been loading for 35 years, but never for an autoloading rifle. The rifle is a Browning auto in 270 Weatherby, and I'm wondering if I'll run into any problems. I have a full length RCBS die set that I plan to use, but I've read that sometimes a small base size die is needed for autos. I guess that I won't know until I size some and see if they'll function. Anyone have any comments or suggestions. I've also looked for small base dies in this caliber, but haven't found any from the usual suppliers.

Nashcat

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I guess that I won't know until I size some and see if they'll function.

There ya go.....

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Originally posted by Nashcat:
...The rifle is a Browning auto in 270 Weatherby...
Nashcat

Are you sure about the caliber?

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Are you sure about the caliber?

Yes, I'm sure. But I wasn't sure until he brought me some fired cases. I had never heard of a BAR in Weatherby calibers, either. I just got through sizing 10 rounds. After measuring the cases, I found that the dies are reducing the case diameter by .004", just above the belt, compared to a fired case. This was the area that I was concerned about, but it appears to be sizing all the way to the belt. We're trying to get the cost down, so he can afford to shoot it more. His last box of ammo, with Barnes X bullets, was $60. Each shot costs him as much as a gallon of gas and we all know how much that is! I'll keep everyone posted with the results.

Nashcat

I certainly hope it is free bored like the Weatherby rifles because it sounds like your friend is using Weatherby brand ammo in it .

Weatherby's factory loads are very hot and many times flatten primers. I've even seen Wea Factory loads so hot the primer pockets were enlarged on the first firing

It seems like that would be entirely tooooo much pressure for a auto rifle.

Good Luck

Reloader

I found out a little more about the rifle. It was offered in this caliber for one year only, during the mid 90's. He had some Weatherby brass and also some R-P. The primers were not flattened in either, and the primer pockets are still tight. I'll pick up some powder tomorrow and try to get some loaded this weekend. Results to follow.

Nashcat

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I found out a little more about the rifle. It was offered in this caliber for one year only, during the mid 90's. He had some Weatherby brass and also some R-P. The primers were not flattened in either, and the primer pockets are still tight. I'll pick up some powder tomorrow and try to get some loaded this weekend. Results to follow.

It's probably got a good bit of free bore. You'll be able to tell pretty quick.

One thing about the BARs is they have a pretty short clip and rounds must be loaded short enough to function which is usually a good piece off of the lands even in the standard Magnums.

Whats your buddy going to shoot w/ it?

My favorite loads w/ the 270 Wea have been w/ 150 Hdy SPILs loaded on top of IMR7828 or R22 w/ Fed 215s. Absolutely devastating on whitetails. Several good bucks have been taken w/ that bullet and many of them were through both shoulders on bucks over 200lbs in the Delta.

It would probably be best to start towards the minimum listed loads in that rifle and work up. Most of the data was developed for the Bolts.

Good luck

Reloader

You guys are all correct....it was made for a year or two at the most. It was a pretty heavy gun in a caliber that no one seemed to want.
And, yes people probably feared "the hot weatherby ammo".

Then years later along comes the WSM calibers in BAR. Believe me....the WSM's are loaded to pressures that pretty much match the potency of weatherby ammo. For some reason the BAR can apparently take it!!

If you use weatherby cases and published data you won't get into trouble....but be careful if you use remington cases....about 2 grains less powder is going to get you the same velocity and pressure as the more roomy weatherby cases.

I beleve the Small base dies are not made in Weartheby cal......RL 22 should be a good powder.

I use Small base dies in my 30-06 which RCBS made them just for the BARs back in the 70's. I just don't know about the newer cart and Weatherby cal in BAR.

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Weatherby's factory loads are very hot and many times flatten primers. I've even seen Wea Factory loads so hot the primer pockets were enlarged on the first firing

That ain't no shit. The first Weatherby factory loads I shot in my .270 WBY (Mark V) I took one look at the primers (completely flattened and very cratered) and decided I would use only my handloads. YIKES!!

I'd also be concerned about gas port pressure so stay away from the slowest propellents listed for the 270Wby (like IMR7828)

Stick with the "medium slows" like IMR4350, H4350.
RL22 would probably be another good choice.
I'm not sure anyone makes Small Base dies for the 270Wby, but I seem to recall that someone made a collet type die to size the body of belted magnum cases just above the belt, because that is a problem area on some tight chambered rifles chambered in belted magnum cartridges...


I had to stop and look... here's the link:
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=203-...search=yes&submit=GO

this tool may eliminate the need for a SB or XSB die which
would almost certainly wind up being a custom piece
at great expense...

AllanD