Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters .270 Win./150 gr. Velocities...

.270 Win./150 gr. Velocities...

Is there something "special" about > 2900 fps for the 150 gr. .277 bullet?

Both handloads (w/ IMR 4831 powder) and factory alike, out of my 22" Bbl'ed rifles, are ~ 2800 fps.

No complaints w/ NP's, or even the low BC Speer Grand Slam for that matter.

And while hits past 300 yards are pretty rare, have found generally good wound channels and complete pass-throughs.


But then I read where > 2900 fps for this cartridge/bullet weight is "magic".

Is there a problem w/ ~ 2200 fps/1500 ft-lbs/8" drop at 300 yards that I'm somehow missing?


Out of an 8.5 lb hunting rifle, it's a comfortable and accurate load to shoot for medium and large game.

... and don't plan on changing anytime soon.


Just curious is all.




GR

An early favorite of mine, the 150 grain Speer HC or the Partition going right at 2800fps. Special maybe not but capable yes.

Pass me the '26 and 3000fps + from a 22" bbl please.

I have done a lot of load development for the 270 Win over the past 40+ years. Actually started in 1975. Got a chronograph in around 1980 and my practice is to shoot everything for velocity. Have worked with at least 13 different rifles/barrels (actually more but I stopped counting). I have tried every suitable powder from IMR, Hodgdon, Alliant, and Norma but no Ramshot, MagPro, or VV.

In a 22” barrel with 150’s, I have never been able to exceed 2875 with anything other than R26. Interestingly, using R26 I have been able to get 3000 in every barrel I have tried it in. Also works very well with 160 N Partitions.

With 130’s I have had the best results for a combination of velocity and accuracy with either R17 or IMR4831. Those are my picks for testing a new 270. The Federal blue box 130’s will go around .750” in a good 270 and run around 3050.

For in-the-field results on lots and many plains game I prefer 130 monolithic bullets (including 130 AF) and the 160 Ptn.

If I was going brown bear hunting with my 270 I would pick the 160 N Ptn (maybe 150 AF) because I would be less concerned with having full penetration. For everything else my first pick would be mono or Swift AF 130’s.

I ran 3,000 with my pre 64 model 70 fwt using 150gr partitions. That was with a 22" barrel. But found a good accuracy node at 2,950 fps..

bsa,
My rifles also shot best with R26 loaded to 2950-2975. I could get more velocity but things got fussy.
Besides 2950 is “pleasing).

I agree Rick. It definitely fell out of the "node" going past 3,000. RL26 is great powder though. It does live up to its velocity claims in the old 270. A good 150gr pill at 2,950 will kill anything in NA quite handily, as you know. Great combination.

Out of 24 inch barrel Hornady 150 SP I'm getting 2836, 2868 and 2866 with H 4831. Nothing wrong with lower velocities, I experienced few bullet blow ups with 3000+ velocity under 100 yards. As long as you know the bullet drop at any given distance you should be fine. I use CDS dial so I don't care about losing 100 FPS and at least I won't get bullet blow up up close. But to each his own.

I have not seen difference on deer. Cannot comment on larger game. Several powders these days get over 2900 fps with 150s and 22”. Like RinB, I have messed around with lots of them. Unlike RinB MRP, RE22, Magpro, RL26 have done it for me using published charges. Not tried RL23 but it might too. However l mostly use 130:s or 140s and when I do try 150s these days I still generally try h4831 1st which normally ends up in the 2800ish range. I just tried rl16 last fall with 130 partitons in a kimber 84 select (24” barre) and it ran 3200, matching alliant published data so rl26 is not only new thing going for the 270:).

Lou

That’s a fact, right there is the reason I tell folks who ask what they should get for an elk rifle, I say a 270. Used to swoon the bigger 7 Rem. Factory 150 PTs or whatever work great, but the rifle will have a shorter barrel, weigh less and belt the shooter less on average. If they’re a hand loader it’s pretty easy to get the 2900 from a 150 grain bullet with numerous powders without alot of vudoo.

I think alot of us gloss over RL23, but it is the sweetheart of the bunch. I got a steady 2980 with 150's and accuracy was pretty good across the board. Supposed to be very temp stable as well. A tiny bit less speed overall, but with the consistency I saw with it, I wouldn't even sweat it.

I haven't tried 150 grain bullets for quite a while, but I'm getting 3100 fps with RL26 and 140 grain Accubonds. I used to use 150 grain ballistic tips with 58 grains of H4831 at 2850 fps.

I’ve only played little bit with 150gr BT.
I was Not really impressed and I think I was around 2900 with using Hunter
My favorite 270 load at this time is 140 SST at 3040-3050 fps and I’ve shoot it out to 600 yard with great results

I haven’t tried R23 with 150’s. Forgot about the old Norma 205 which will move the 150’s at around 3000 but it isn’t generally available. I have some but haven’t used it recently.

Would like to try R16 with 130’s but can’t find any. Found some Hunter which I will be shooting within a few days.

I like the 130 monos (TTSX and E-Tip) which will reliably penetrate 34-35” of Eland meat and bone. Would like to try the new 130 Hornady CX but haven’t seen any. For lead core I like the Swift products.

I’ve never had any issue killing game with a 150 in the 2,800 - 2,850 range.

Good post Rick, based squarely in experience and reality. I have little experience with the 270 by comparison, only going back to the 90’s, but I’ve never had any issue killing game with a 150 in the 2,800 - 2,850 range. I suppose the appeal of RL26 is that it “can” get you to 2,950 - 3,000fps… it’s a bit of a Siren’s Song, and I’m certainly one of those that have heeded it with various cartridges. Of course just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should do something. It definitely increases recoil, and mild recoil is one of the 270’s strengths.

Just some rambling thoughts on a blustery March evening…

My .270 is a 24" and gets 3000 and change with RL26 and 150 Partitions and into 3/4" or better. I don't remember the charge but it is a grain or so under the published maximum. RL23 did not work as well for me. Partition / RL26 is a great combo.

Scotty,
I was a lover of big 7’s and owned one of the first 7-300Win’s ever built…then I started shooting more game and reading fewer magazine articles and ballistic charts. I found the 270, even then, to be plenty good enough PLUS the rifle was handier lighter and shorter. Don’t own a big 7 currently.
The need for velocities over 3000 went away with the development of LRF’s. I still like 2900-3000 but more isn’t needed. Bullet technology, meaning monos, has changed many things as well.
Rick

I had pretty good luck with Hunter but ended up back with H4831 with 130s.

Brad,
I am heavy into the 270 Win & 375 H&H. I like the looks of both cartridges. A big plus to me is that they feed properly.
Now I need a Montana Bighorn tag so I can look for the perfect ram.
Rick

To me, those two cartridges are extremely close. I ran the numbers and for my rifles, there is a 2-foot-pound difference in recoil between my .270 (8.0 lbs, 150 @ 3000) and my 7mm (8.5 pounds, 1603000). I'm getting the itch to go back to Namibia and if I do, will likely bring my 7mm because of .284 minimum over there. I need to get it out and shoot some stuff to get it warmed up!