.270 Winchester.. What Powder?
- Thread starter mhenderson2125
- Start date
Crankylove
New member
IMR 4064 and H380 are my most often loaded, with IMR4895 a close third. All do well in my Model 70 using 100-130 grain bullets.
Johnny Falcon
New member
I've done well with a pre-'64 Model 70 and the 150 SGK w/ H4350.
"IMR 4831 was Jack O'Connor's favorite load -- worked then, works now."
I know, somebody already commented on this. Actually jack's powder was the milsurp H4831. When supplies of that ran out Hodgeden had it duplicated by an outfit, IIRC, in Australia. I'm not sure if it is still made there or stateside now or even someplace else. (Please God, not China.)
There is another powder, and I hate to mention it because Winchester dropped it at least ten years ago, but Winchester Magnum Rifle powder (WMR) makes the .270 sing. I prefer the 150 gr. bullet in my .270 andI use that WMR with the 150 gr. Sierra Game King for a velocity of 2930 to 2950 FPS.
For the record, my .270 has a 24" barrel which IMHO is as it should be. That same powder delivers the same veocity range in my .300 Win. Mag. with the 200 gr. Speer Hot-Core. Winchester had said when they were making WMR that it was designed expressly for the .270 and .300 Win. mag. Both loads are sub-MOA aand I do like that powder in my .280 Rem. as well. Dunno the reason for "Big W" dropping it but I have a decent supply so I'll be good for some time yet.
Paul B.
I know, somebody already commented on this. Actually jack's powder was the milsurp H4831. When supplies of that ran out Hodgeden had it duplicated by an outfit, IIRC, in Australia. I'm not sure if it is still made there or stateside now or even someplace else. (Please God, not China.)
There is another powder, and I hate to mention it because Winchester dropped it at least ten years ago, but Winchester Magnum Rifle powder (WMR) makes the .270 sing. I prefer the 150 gr. bullet in my .270 andI use that WMR with the 150 gr. Sierra Game King for a velocity of 2930 to 2950 FPS.
For the record, my .270 has a 24" barrel which IMHO is as it should be. That same powder delivers the same veocity range in my .300 Win. Mag. with the 200 gr. Speer Hot-Core. Winchester had said when they were making WMR that it was designed expressly for the .270 and .300 Win. mag. Both loads are sub-MOA aand I do like that powder in my .280 Rem. as well. Dunno the reason for "Big W" dropping it but I have a decent supply so I'll be good for some time yet.Paul B.
First I would get a Hornady or a Sierra as they both list a wide range of powders.
They also list comparable bullets if you don't have the mfg data.
Then go down the list of the powder and cross check off the ones you have.
If there is a match, good. If not you can do some research and see.
If none, they decide on a new powder.
H or I or AA 4350 is a good choice to start with for 270 if you don't have an existing powder.
No guaranteed, but it usually gives good to very good results in 270.
They also list comparable bullets if you don't have the mfg data.
Then go down the list of the powder and cross check off the ones you have.
If there is a match, good. If not you can do some research and see.
If none, they decide on a new powder.
H or I or AA 4350 is a good choice to start with for 270 if you don't have an existing powder.
No guaranteed, but it usually gives good to very good results in 270.
Pathfinder45
New member
Lots of good suggestions here. It seems that we live in powder-rich times at the moment, in spite of the shortages of not-so-long-ago. IMR-4831 should work well with both 130 and 150 grain bullets. Do not confuse it with H-4831 which is a quite different powder and their loading data is not interchageable.
It is great being able to update something I contributed to five years ago.
I ran a test with IMR 4831 in my 270 Win. This is a very popular powder in this caliber. It turns out to be the velocity champ in this rifle. As usual, I lubricated my cases prior to shooting. This breaks the friction between chamber and bolt and applies the full thrust of the case to the bolt. Normally I detect maximum loads by having either a stiff bolt lift, blown or leaking primers. Lubing the cases removes parasitic friction between case and chamber, forcing the system to fully load the bolt. This removes false indications of low pressure by an easy bolt lift, which will happen when the case carries some of the load. Well, that is what normally happens. Here, I did not feel a stiff bolt lift even though I pushed 130 grain bullets to 3200 fps. I also did not experience any blown primers or leaking primers. However, on reloading these cases, I found a few with loose pockets, which is a positive indication of too much pressure, and so, in the future, I am going to keep any IMR 4831 velocities to 3000 fps or less.
This rifle preferred surplus WC852 with a 130 grain, but the accuracy is not spectacular. That is a 7.7" group at 300 yards, which is acceptable.
I do believe that greasing bullets reduces jacket fouling. They shoot fine this way.
This barrel prefers 150 grain bullets. This is a ten shot group of 7.3" diameter, yes it is low in the target, but that can be corrected with an elevation adjustment.
I recently tried IMR 4831 in the 6.5 Swede. That powder also gave higher velocities than IMR 4350 and the accuracy was quite good. I am going to explore more with this powder, but it seems to be a real champ in the sub 30 caliber rounds.
I fired about 100 rounds, maybe more out of this barrel, I got the barrel quite hot. I also greased all my bullets/rounds. The cases had enough lube that I was able to size the things this week without applying any more lubricant. Upon cleaning the rifle I examined the muzzle and there was absolutely no traces of jacket fouling at the end of the barrel. I don't have a bore scope to verify that jacket fouling was reduced or eliminated from the inside, but, it seems to be working.
I ran a test with IMR 4831 in my 270 Win. This is a very popular powder in this caliber. It turns out to be the velocity champ in this rifle. As usual, I lubricated my cases prior to shooting. This breaks the friction between chamber and bolt and applies the full thrust of the case to the bolt. Normally I detect maximum loads by having either a stiff bolt lift, blown or leaking primers. Lubing the cases removes parasitic friction between case and chamber, forcing the system to fully load the bolt. This removes false indications of low pressure by an easy bolt lift, which will happen when the case carries some of the load. Well, that is what normally happens. Here, I did not feel a stiff bolt lift even though I pushed 130 grain bullets to 3200 fps. I also did not experience any blown primers or leaking primers. However, on reloading these cases, I found a few with loose pockets, which is a positive indication of too much pressure, and so, in the future, I am going to keep any IMR 4831 velocities to 3000 fps or less.
Code:
[B]FN Deluxe 24" Barrel new Wolff 22 pound mainspring[/B]
130 gr Federal Fusion (pulled) 57.0 grs IMR 4831 lot 022414 W-W Super, Fed210S, OAL 3.30" hornady sizing lubed cases
2 Sep 2014 T = 92 °F
Ave Vel =2959
Std Dev 26
ES = 65
High =3005
Low =2940
N = 5
130 gr Federal Fusion (pulled) 58.0 grs IMR 4831 lot 022414 W-W Super, Fed210S, OAL 3.30
hornady sizing lubed cases
2 Sep 2014 T = 92 °F
Ave Vel =3041
Std Dev =23
ES = 63
High =3067
Low =3004
N = 5
130 gr Federal Fusion (pulled) 59.0 grs IMR 4831 lot 022414 W-W Super, Fed210S, OAL 3.30
hornady sizing lubed cases
2 Sep 2014 T = 92 °F
Ave Vel =3126
Std Dev =16
ES = 43
High =3149
Low =3106
N = 5
slight primer cupping around firing pin, probable primer pocket expansion, over max load
130 gr Federal Fusion (pulled) 60.0 grs IMR 4831 lot 022414 W-W Super, Fed210S, OAL 3.30
hornady sizing lubed cases
2 Sep 2014 T = 93 °F
Ave Vel =3215
Std Dev =18
ES = 48
High =3240
Low =3192
N = 5
slight primer cupping around firing pin, probable primer pocket expansion, over max loadThis rifle preferred surplus WC852 with a 130 grain, but the accuracy is not spectacular. That is a 7.7" group at 300 yards, which is acceptable.
I do believe that greasing bullets reduces jacket fouling. They shoot fine this way.
This barrel prefers 150 grain bullets. This is a ten shot group of 7.3" diameter, yes it is low in the target, but that can be corrected with an elevation adjustment.
I recently tried IMR 4831 in the 6.5 Swede. That powder also gave higher velocities than IMR 4350 and the accuracy was quite good. I am going to explore more with this powder, but it seems to be a real champ in the sub 30 caliber rounds.
I fired about 100 rounds, maybe more out of this barrel, I got the barrel quite hot. I also greased all my bullets/rounds. The cases had enough lube that I was able to size the things this week without applying any more lubricant. Upon cleaning the rifle I examined the muzzle and there was absolutely no traces of jacket fouling at the end of the barrel. I don't have a bore scope to verify that jacket fouling was reduced or eliminated from the inside, but, it seems to be working.
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THIS LOAD IS AT MAX!!! Use with caution!!!!
I’m using 61.5gr of RL17 under a 95gr Barnes TTSX out of a 22” Browning A-Bolt. This produces 3650 FPS and is insanely deadly on TX whitetail. Minimal meat damage too.
I tried all of the “go to” powders, but the RL17 was far and away the most accurate.
I’m using 61.5gr of RL17 under a 95gr Barnes TTSX out of a 22” Browning A-Bolt. This produces 3650 FPS and is insanely deadly on TX whitetail. Minimal meat damage too.
I tried all of the “go to” powders, but the RL17 was far and away the most accurate.
IMR 4350 provided excellent accuracy in my .270 (years ago.) I used only 130 gr. spitzer bullets in my .270. I haven't shot the rifle or hunted for several years.
Edited to add: I took my best Mule Deer, a 5 x 5 scoring 163, at 400+ yards with my .270 using IMR 4350.
2nd Edit: I aimed about 6 inches above the shoulder and the bullet went through the heart - about a 20 inch drop, more or less. My guide had recommended aiming at the top of the shoulder because he thought I had a 7mm Rem Mag.
Edited to add: I took my best Mule Deer, a 5 x 5 scoring 163, at 400+ yards with my .270 using IMR 4350.
2nd Edit: I aimed about 6 inches above the shoulder and the bullet went through the heart - about a 20 inch drop, more or less. My guide had recommended aiming at the top of the shoulder because he thought I had a 7mm Rem Mag.
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CarJunkieLS1
New member
IMR 4831 and a 130 Accubond clocks 3019 from my 22" barreled Tikka T3 Lite. Groups are consistently sub MOA. Most accurate factory rifle I've ever shot.
gunman5646
New member
IMR4350 and 130 gr Sierra Game Kings. Big medicine out to 300 yds