Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles modern powders in the .270 Win

I took a 40 year hiatus from the .270, loved it for sure, but prone to bloodshotting meat at the ranges I normally hunt at, so I went fatter and slower for forty years. But, I put a .270 together from parts over the holidays for one of the grandsons. When the weather breaks, I'll be doing some load development. With components being what they are, price and availability, I'd kinda like to shortcut the testing. Back when I was hunting with the .270, any normal weight bullet and case full of 4831 family powder was instant hassle free success, velocity and accuracy wise. But there are better bullets, maybe better powders...is there something new on the menu that seems to work in a number of rifles. I hear Reloader 22 mentioned frequently on other hunting forums? Keep in mind, it's a kid, and he is not going to be shooting long range, and I'd like to minimize recoil to some extent. Comments, suggestions, recipes?

I use Hunter in my 270. With 140 SST. 3030-3050 fps max load of 55gr was luckily the sweet spot for accuracy and speed..
Had them 3100 fps but accuracy suffered and it was over max (56 gr. 3108-3122 fps)

I think I’m down to last 100 or so of the sst. Bought 500 of Sierra game changers trying to get better hunting bullet as I hear lots of horror stories on sst.
55 gr of hunter, CCI primers, 2.665” base to ogive

130 ttsx with 56 gr of hunter 3100 +/- fps.
BTO 2.670

Obviously you want to or can make reduced loads for the kid.
Probably stick with 130s at closer to min/start?
I have some 150gr Ballistic tips at 2800fps and have more of push vs snap

I have used 4831, 4350, Rel 22, Rel26, Ramshot Hunter and Magnum, and a few I probably forgot. Trying to be economical and one size fits all, I would go no farther than than H4831 ssc. Bullet weights from 85 to 180gr.

In loading for your grandson, it is easy to make pleasant, effective loads.
I have found starting loads to be satisfactory.
I would look at 110gr NAB, 120gr SST, or a softer 130gr bullet at moderate loads.

If you want to go even lighter, H4895 has been used in this house for many rounds of reduced loads and has accounted for more than a few deer/antelope. Hodgdon has the reduced load information on their website.

No sense searching for something better that may give you a WEE bit more. 4831 or 4831SC is still the way to go. 60 grs with a 130gr bullet still works.

Ramshot Hunter and RL22 has worked very well for me over the years in several 270s.

I've had multiple 270's for most of my hunting & reloading life & there are plenty of powders that all work well; I've also loaded some loads for shorter range hunting with 130's in the 2400 FPS range that work fine too.

But like you, for shorter range work I went to a 45-70.

Powders that all work well in the 270 are:

RL-19, 22, 16, 23, 17........26 but I haven't used 26.
Norma 204, 205, MRP
H-4350 & 4831SC
IMR-4350, 4831, 7828SSC
Win StaBall 6.5, 780

If you decide to download, use something at least as fast as H-4350 or faster.

MM

RL23 has same speed as RL22 but is much more temperature stable. I use it with 140gr bullets at about 3040FPS. For 150gr bullets I use Norma MRP

and RL26 will give the fastest speeds. But a little less accurate.

When my son was 12, I used H380 about 44-46 grs with a Sierra 130 gr bullet. He used it for a few whitetails then when he got bigger, we loaded IMR4831 on the top end 57grs with 130gr bullets.

H4831SC is new enough for me. Try it, you'll like it. Your rifle should love it..

I load for several 270s. I use several different bullets but all are 130 grain. H4350 and h4831 are my favorite with h4350 being my favorite of the 2. The powder I would recommend in this situation tho that works very good is imr4064 and has noticeably less recoil. A killer lower recoil load would be IMR 4064(start at 47 gr and work up to 49 gr) and some hornady 130SSTs. Guaranteed to shoot and kill

Buck, Before I posted my question I was looking at some vintage loading manuals, it's surprising how often 4064 is mentioned in the same sentence with the word accurate. Think I am going to pursue this 4064 recipe to start. The kid is doing pretty well offhand (the only thing that matters where we hunt), not flinching, but it's easier to prevent flinching than to correct it once it starts.

Thanks to all for your help.

In addition to powders already mentioned I like 7828 in the .270 as well.

4381 SC is all I need to know.

I found N560 very accurate with 130's and 110's H4831SC just plain works with 150 and 160 grain bullets.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

While Mule Deer's article in the Oct/Nov 2019 Handloader, ".270 Winchester - Testing New Bullets and Powders" probably doesn't really address the OP's quest for light recoil loads for his young hunter, it does match perfectly to the title of this thread, so I mention it here for those who click on this thread because of its title. It's a very informative article (of course!)

Cheers,
Rex

There are plenty of new .277 cal bullets called 6.8mm available. These are designed for hunters using the 6.8mm SPC in their AR platform rifles. These work very well at moderate velocities for game the size of deer & antelope. They are perfect for a reduced .270 Win load that will still expand very well. I suggest the 110gr Nosler Accubond or the Speer 115gr GoldDot in front of some IMR 4064 (if you can find some).

40 grains of h4895 and a 130 on top. Accurate and about 2600fps.

H4831SC has yielded the best accuracy for me, but staball 6.5 with a 127 gr controlled chaos has got me to 3150 without pressure signs with a 22 in barrel and around moa accuracy.

4064 is all i have ever used in mine after the wife's uncle had me load his.

It just works and i don't like to spend money on looking for something i already have,a good shooting 270.

I don't recall ever having a finicky 270 & I've had 7................probably the easiest round I've ever loaded for; 7-08 & 280 Rem are also not finicky either, IME.