Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters .270 Max Loads

I've been reading histories of the .270 Winchester and learned that when it originally came out the ammo produced 3130, or 3150, or 3160 fps (sources disagree). Then, the velocity was dropped to below 3000 fps for decades and now is usually around 3060 fps.

I want to load to 3160 fps like the originals but am not sure if that is possible to do, safely. I load 55.0 grains of IMR4350 which chronos at 2990 fps in my rifle. I see that Jack O'Connor had a load of 57.0 grains of IMR4350 that he had listed at 3130 fps but I'm not sure that that would be safe, nor do I have that much confidence in his chronograph.

So, has anyone reproduced the original factory load, or near it, with safety?

That velocity with a 130 grain bullet can be achieved or exceeded using Alliant powder. Check out Aliant's reloading site for specifics site.

The thing is, I don't trust the velocities given in reloading manuals. I want data from someone who has personally chronographed his handloads to achieve an actualy 3160 fps.

The trouble with someone without a means of accurately measuring pressure can get phenomenal velocities, by going by what they might consider pressure signs. Loading to 70,000 PSI and getting by is not unheard of.

How long is your barrel?

I was going to comment on what you can achieve at 70k psi lol ... I was Beat to the punch !

While I have some 270 Win’s, it’s fun to loaf 130s along at 3500-3600 in the Wby

Oh, that 3160 fps was reported for a 24 inch barrel. (My 270 is also 24 inches.)

Yeah, it's quite possible those early factory rounds were overloads. Winchester said they cut back to under 3000 fps because hunters were complaining about too much meat damage but the skeptic in me says it was because they were loading to dangerous levels. But I don't KNOW that.

If anyone has actually hit 3160 fps with a 24 inch barrel and no excessive pressure signs I'd like to know it and know what the load was. Then I could work up slowly to that load, using my own judgement on pressure signs in my rifle, and perhaps also have some of the rounds pressure tested.

Hodgdon shows a Hornady 130 grain SP at 3038 FPS from a charge of IMR-7977 and at 55,000 PSI....look it up as I won't risk mistyping it here.

Yes, it's a compressed load but one can improve on it by pouring the load in three batches.....roughly 20 grains per batch but if you compress the powder between each batch of loading you can actually get more in the case.....if you have a chronograph, you will know if it's working for you.....you could conceivably work up to three grains over the max listed by Hodgdon.....and possibly hit the 3150 mark.....oh yea.....one more thing.....it's not worth it!!!!!!

Just because a load may be safe in someone else's rifle does not mean it will be safe in yours. Every rifle is different, bore dimensions, chamber dimensions, how it is throated even if the barrels are the same length can give very different velocities and pressures in different rifles. You need to chronograph your rifle and work up a load specifically for it. You may get that velocity with safe pressures or you may not.

I get about 3050 - 3065 using a 130 TSX BT and 54 grs. H4350 in my 24" Cooper. Seems to be about a max load in my rifle.

Postoak, The Nosler book lists over 3100 fps with H4831sc and a 130gr bullet. That is consistent with my experience with that powder and barrel length. BTW, I think you'd be in overload territory with 57grs of IMR4350. So, take a look at H4831sc. My guess is that you should be able to reach at least 3100fps without torturing your rifle or brass. Good luck.

You aren't going to get anywhere near 3160 with IMR4350 while staying within the pressure guidelines of the cartridge. I suggest trying Alliant powders. I've personally gotten at least 3150 out out of 130's using R19, R22, R23, and R26.

Like a LOT of folks in those days, it seems 'ol Jack was running some pretty hot loads. Many of the published velocities were derived in a time when chronographs, and more importantly pressure barrels--were not as accurate as what we have today. 270W velocities were reduced when labs began using piezo pressure receivers and many of the published loads were found to be hot, too. The velocities you have listed are obviously for 130 grain bullets. With slow burning powders and 24" bbls 3000fps or more is easily achievable. 3100 fps is pushing it and most likely over pressure.

Alliant RL-26 load data with the 150 gr bullet is showing 3020+ fps. Three of my 22" bbl 270's are hitting 3000 fps with less than max charge of RL-26. Alliant doesn't have any pressure data for the 130 gr bullets because RL-26 is intended for heavy-for-caliber bullets in "overbore" cartridges. Of course, that hasn't stopped the rifle loonies from stuffing RL-26 into every centerfire cartridge every devised by humankind........and claiming fantastical velocities......

Go online and look at the powder manufacturers load data, and better yet buy a current load manual or two. If you have a chrono let that be a guide. In other words, don't exceed the published velocities.

Pretty sure Hodgdon has data for speeds over 3100 with a Barnes 130. That said, even 100 fps one way or the other is no big deal. Accuracy, safety, and bullet performance are. High B.C. bullets can make that velocity "shortfall" disappear downrange.

Reference Hornady volume # 2 you will see some hot loads. No pressure testing equipment was used.

saskfox -- do you have one in front of you? All I have is the 3rd edition and the loads aren't hot. Example, max IMR4350 load is 54.8 grains for 3000 fps. (Remember I am shooting 55.0 grains and getting 2990 fps average in my rifle. At least they don't seem to be exaggerating velocities by much.

You chron'ed those loads?

They have another loads over 3100 fps, the maximum being 3,144 which is good if accurate. That's with 55.5 grains of Hodgdon Hybrid H100V and a 130 grain Barnes TSX. I've have to see if I can get this powder.

I'm actually a pretty conservative reloader and don't try to exceed factory velocities. If I want to go over that I'll just get a larger cartridge. But 3160 fps is supposed to be factory velocity in the .270. Maybe I'll just wind up accepting the fact that the modern loads of 3060 fps are a reasonable goal.

I do 3200 fps IMR 4320 53.9 grains IMR 4350 57.6 grains H4831 61 grains N205 62.2 grains. May I ask why you are seeking a maximum load? Grandpa and Dad had good success with 53 grains 4350. I've had good success with 58 grains H 4831.

Just to see if hitting the old factory velocity is possible.