.270 Winchester.. What Powder?

My Marlin XL7 likes Alliant Power Pro 4000-MR with Nosler 130 gr Ballistic Tips, chronographs over 3,050 fps out of the 22" barrel with sub MOA accuracy at 100 yards. It has also performed well with Reloder 17 and H-414.
 
There are so many good powders to choose from. Funny thing I've noticed is that the very best powders that I have used in my 270, are powders that have been discontinued: Norma N-205 is just awesome. Winchester WMR is super good with 140 grain bullets. Fortunately, I haven't run out of these two yet.
 
When this thread began back in 2012,folks listed a lot of fairly quick(IMO) powders for a.270. Varget,H-380,etc.

Given the 270 is a necked down 30-06,and given H-4350 or IMR 4350 are some pretty top performers in the 30-06,I'd take that as a burn rate clue.

Going to Hogdon's site,a number of powders gave 3000+ fps with the 130 gr bullet.These powders ...frankly many are newer and I have not used them,but the 4350/4831 range of the burn chart performs very well.

Its not that mid burn range powders like Varget and 4895 and H-380 cannot be used..and you might get great accuracy,but the velocities will be down some.

Its also good to know when using quicker powders in (slightly) overbore cartridges,when you do find your max load,pressure increases are likely to to spike more quickly.
 
Last edited:
Varget should work Ok. The burn rate is similar to IMR4064, and that was my 270 powder of choice when I used a Browning BAR for deer. Good accuracy too. After that, and a move to bolt guns, I used IMR 4831 for a time and then went to H4831 and then to H4831sc. There are plenty of powders to use, per the Lyman book, but IMR and H 4831 are about as good as it gets behind a 130 gr bullet. No need to reinvent the wheel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top