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.

I support 4064 use in the 270.. that is what my preference is.. I concede to giving up a 100 fps Max velocity, but what I pick up is lower recoil, and what I consider improved accuracy.. which may be just the lesser recoil... for that 100 fps Max velocity I give up, two clicks on the elevation knob and its been compensated for.... my two favorite bullets are the 140 grain ballistic tip and the 160 gr SMP Partition...

I've loaded for .270 for a good number of years. Oldest load was 130 gr bullets over IMR 4831. Load from 1970's manual did not differentiate the 4831s, and my load exceeded current max loads. For 130 gr bullets, I also have used 55 gr IMR 4350, 60 gr of H4831sc, and lately 56 gr of IMR 4451. For 140 bullets, I like 53 gr of RL16. For 150 gr, I've used 60.5 gr of RL26. Now that IMR 4451 is out of production, I ration my use of it.
If in doubt, H4831sc works with any of these bullet weights.

Look real close at the pressure numbers, you can't get enough 4831SC in a 270 case to exceed SAAMI specs.

no real reason to, unless you like being different than everybody else....

but has anyone ever necked a 280 AI down to take a 270 grain bullet?

ought to rival a 270 Weatherby....

Until last year when I purchased a Tikka T3x Superlite , I have not owned a .270 Win since 1963 (app. a 60 yr hiatus). I loaded H4831sc under a handful of different bullets and it worked as advertised.

However, I also wanted to try a new powder with anti copper fouling properties under Barnes bullets. I ended up with 56 grs. of StaBALL under 130 gr TTSX @3076 ft/sec. With multiple sub MOA groups, that is all I needed from this rifle to be a very happy guy. I took this load to eastern Montana and easily tipped over a goat at distance without any drama.

RL26 for 145/150s

For 130’s, lots of powder to choose from with burn rates ranging from IMR4064 to H4831SC.
H4350 gave me the best accuracy, however all others were more than acceptable.

For the heavies I love 23. For the 130's I really like Hunter. For a slightly slower all around accurate load in any gun..... 4064!!

While I love my H4831SC load at 3170 with 130ABs, I think a lot of guys missed this part in the OPS post:

Originally Posted by flintlocke

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?

To accomplish this ^

I'd look at going with a slightly less weight bullet like a Barnes 85 or 95 grn 6.8SPC bullet, or Nolser 100 or 110 AB 6.8SPC bullets and load it down to about 6.8SPC "+P" velocities.

Easily my favorite chambering...but then I am a sheep hunter.
I cycled through a bunch of newbies, short / fats, long fats but always seem to take one of the .270' wcf rifles.
It is easy to handload for, I have used every powder available. These days H4831, imr 4350, Reloder 16 and 26 are on the shortlist.
Add its brothers the 30/06 and the 25/06 and a big bore like the 45/70 and the arsenal is complete for my stuff. Cheers

Just finished load development in my 270. H4350 and H4831 SC yielded sub moa with 5 shots and 129 LRX. I tried IMR 4451 but didn't get good accuracy. Re 23 prob work. In previous 270s, Re 26 shined with 150s.

I could live the rest of my life with H4350, H4831, Re26 for the 270.

Here's some loads I have found good to go:

270 Win, Remington 700 BDL, 160 grain Partition, 9 ½, 53.5 grains RE 19, 0.44 MOA (good elk load)
270 Win, Remington 700 BDL, 130 grain Remington CL, CCI200, 61 grains H4831sc, 0.71 MOA (favorite deer load)
270 Win, Remington 700 BDL, 131 grain E-tip, CCI 200, 56.5 grains H4831sc, 0.75 MOA (drilled through deer with little expansion)
270 Win, Remington 700 BDL, 130 TTSX Barnes, ? grains, H1000, 0.75 MOA (sorry about lack of detail!)

Have had many many fine 270’s.

With 130’s I prefer IMR4831 and R17. Load to 3075-3100 and stop.

With 150’s I got best velocities with R26. Some charges I see published are too much. In a 22” barrel I stop when I get to 2950.

With the 160 Ptn & R26 I load to 2850 and stop. If you need more power get a 9.3-62 or 375.

There may be powders with better temperature stability but I don’t hunt in weather that cold.

Most used bullets…130 TTSX & 160 NPtn & 130 Swift AF. Going to try some 130 CX.

For low recoil 110 TTSX and H4895. Really low recoil. 3000 is plenty.

My 270 has never been picky but really likes RL 22 and imr7828

Looks like I'll be loading for my Rem mountain rifle 270.
My other 270 shot so well with Federal premium 130 BT's that I never loaded for it.
I just sold a Sako A7 in 270 that shot very well with RL26/ 150 's.
I'm thinking I'll try some 140's, , just looking for a mild accurate load.

I just got back from the range, and learned that my new 270 vanguard likes the 145 eld-x bullets with h4831sc. My loads started at 56g, up to 59g. All were 1" or less groups.

56g - 2850 fps 1" group
57g - 2900 fps 3/4" group
58g - 2950 fps 1" group
59g - 3000 fps 1/2" group

I also compared factory "precision hunter" ammo which uses 145 eld-x bullets, with a published velocity of 2970 fps. My chronograph clocked them at 2925 fps. They shot a 1" group

I haven't tried it in 270 yet but my 06 loves winchester staball 6.5. I tried some because it was available and glad I did. All my recent 270 loads were reloader 23 and its unobtainium.

I used the 4831s for a half century but recently tried RL16 with 130s and RL26 with 160 NPs.......amazed to say the least.

3 month old thread, but what the hell...

Everyone like new powder recipes. I have a lot of those powders on the shelves, as I always like to play with new stuff and see what it has to offer... then most of the time I go back to using what I've used for decades..

How about 47 to 49 grains of good ol IMR 4064 with a 130 or 140 grain bullet? I prefer a ballistic tip. At 49 grains I give up about 100 fps MV> yet the accuracy is better, and the recoil noticeably less....which is probably makes it more accurate.

For max punch if you think ya need it for something bigger than Bambi...Nosler 160 gr SMP Partition, with an over listed charge of 4831 SC. If you look at the pressures with that powder, it is low on SAAMI specs. It can run over 2900 fps with that bullet easily with no pressure issues on any 270 I've owned.. which has been a couple.

I let the rifle tell me what it prefers vs a load manual.. sometimes they are overly optimistic and other times woefully pessimistic.

The 270 is my all time favorite. It was my first gun and it’s on its second, almost third barrel. It’s the one that feels the best with everything. Everything like reloading, walking, shooting, getting past fences, & in and out of the truck. I bet I have over 10,000 rounds shot in 40 years and I’m putting much more through it lately. I try the usual powders like H4831&SC, R22, R19, IMR 4350, MRP, & 7828. I usually use 130 grainSPBT and 140 TSX. I haven’t tried the newer powder like Stabill, Big Game, Superformance, or others. I want to, but never tried the Vhitavorhi powders. The best yet is H 4831 or IMR 4350 and they do so well that I may not ever try the others. If a 270 does poorly with 4831, it’s probably a bad 270 and needs to go away.

270's are sweethearts for sure. As mentioned previously, I am running good ol H4831 in the new one I got a couple weeks ago. Joking around I said SC was new enough for my needs, but good ol 4831 still works great as well:

Great post. I find IMR4350 to be a surprisingly good powder for the old 270 as well. We'd probably all be amazed at how many tons of 4831 has been burned up in 270 winchesters as well.

As a fan of the old 270 I have enjoyed this thread. I'm going to experiment with some of the suggestions that have been made. Someone mentioned it earlier but an amazing combo in my rifle is Hunter powder and a 110 gr TTSX. I worked up to the max load in the Barnes data. Very fast. Very accurate. Deadly. I've used it on several deer and several elk.

Sounds like a great load. I'm getting ready to take my new to me 270 fwt out. It's pretty beat up, but a cool old rifle.
Just put a red pachmayr on it. Initial tests will be with some factory ammo I got from a buddy. Then I will probably load up something with H4831. That Barnes bullet with Hunter sounds like a great idea though. I may try something like that as well:

I'm in the 270win business as 308win and 270win are my goto tools. Stocked up on bullet like winchester power points, speer hot core, noslers, and some TSX. Today I acquired 1000 CCI 250 primers.

Geez those primers are hard to come by!

This was a tracking experiment with an older 2-8 Baush and Lomb scope mounted on my Encore 270 barrel. I guess IMR 4350 is a powder of modern times.

After lookin' past the ole IMR 4831/150 gr. .270Win workhorse load, decided to update to the Hodgdon 4831SC variety, mainly for the Temp. stability.

Also used to load mainly Partitions in that weight, hot, but now find that, at ~ 2800 fps at the muzzle, the inexpensive SPEER Grand Slam (current mono-core) makes a fine practice and hunting round both, to as far as usually need to shoot.

Got a pile during the last factory rebate, dirt cheap.

Small groups, and generally a pass-through w/ good exit wounds.

Also have some copper 140 gr. TSX, run a hundred or so fps. faster.

No complaints.




GR

In my younger years I shot everything with 150 grain Speer Hotcors and Hornady innerlocks, good results every time started at or near 2800 fps.

I still use Hornady interlocks. They are a damn good bullet and priced right. They allow you to practice all you want, with the bullet you intend to hunt with.. Win win..

I've had a few boxes of old Speer 100gr. HP bullets for years. I'd like to see how they do on deer. I bet they'll be devastating.

just passing it on, but you look at pressure specs for H4831SC... you can't get enough in a 270 case to exceed SAAMI specs, regardless of bullet weight... at least up to 160 grain NOSLER SMPs....

same with the old Speer 170 grain RNs.... accuracy is pretty darn good also...

and it ain't temp sensitive either.

H4831sc for 130's and 140's in the .270. Best accuracy and temperature stable. It doesn't drive the 150's fast enough.

H4831 has worked so well for so long, why would anyone even want to stray from it??? That is my only question. Of course there are newer powders out there. Are there really any better powders for this classic cartridge? Also, to the poster that said it's not good enough to push 150's, I don't think any deer would ever even know that they were not being pushed at top velocities. I loaded some 150's for my 270's the other day and the results were pretty good with H4831. . However, if you want some impressive speed, you can use RL26. That powder pushes the 150 right along. But from what I've seen, you don't get quite as good of accuracy/precision either. It's a give and take, and I usually try to take all the accuracy I can get. JMHO..

Deer don't know anything about physics such as velocity, energy etc. If you could sit a deer down to do an exam on anything related to ballistics, he would fail miserably. Saying a deer would not know that H4831sc can't push the 150's at a decent velocity is therefore no authority at all. I get about 2750 fps with a maximum load of H4831sc with the 150's. With the 140's I get just over 3000 fps with a maximum load of H4831sc. I'm far better off using 130's or 140's than 150's with H4831sc.

Used to use 150 gr. HC for practice, and Partitions in that weight for hunting.

The last rebate go-round, the 150 gr. Grand Slams were ~ $0.21/pop, and the HC ~ $0.15.


Haven't missed the Partition's performance yet (or their cost), and a single bullet guarantees the same point of aim.

Could probably live w/ the 150 gr. HC just as easily.




GR

I found with 130 gr. Hornady or Sierras work great with Rl17 or 6.5 StaBall and get higher velocity.

Hip

I have always found good results from 100% load density or higher. The last 270 I worked up was for a buddy. He bought a new SS Syn Ruger mk II. I had a couple cans of H4831 sc and picked up a box of 130 NBT. I loaded one at 55 gr and shot it over the chronograph, then added one gr at a time until we hit 3100 fps at 61 gr. Four more rounds assured the rifle was grouping less than MOA. Good enough!

H4831 is the perfect burn rate for the 270 Win.

That was ten years ago. I loaded 100 more for him a couple years later with 130 gr NAB. Ten years later, the gun has never been shot with anything other than 130 Noslers over 61 gr H4831 sc.

For a reduced recoil load, pick any decent bullet from 90 gr to 150 gr. Then load it with the 60% load of H4895.

Speer #10 and #15 give some reduced loads with SR4759. But that powder is unobtainable today, unless you happen to be sitting on a stash.

2800 fps., for a good .277/150 gr. bullet, IS a decent velocity.

Even for the lowly SPEER Grand Slam, BC 0.378, that's 2,100 fps./1500 ft-lbs. at 300 yards.

No complaints.




GR

Maybe he hunts "rifles", and not deer? I hunt both, and probably do better in both regards..

I've already explained to you that deer don't know anything about ballistics and so using them as authority is meaningless. Obviously you also have a poor command of American English. If someone happens to call themselves a rifle hunter, that doesn't mean that they hunt rifles. Rather, it means they hunt with a rifle as opposed to a bow, a handgun or a shotgun etc. Perhaps American English is your second language? Either that or you are just plain stupid. Saying you are a better deer hunter than me when you have no idea how much deer hunting I do, or how successful I am, is another example of your stupidity.

Perhaps in absolute terms that is reasonable. However, relative to what other cartridges and/or bullets and powders can do, it is not very good. Also, in terms of efficiency, such a large case burning so much powder for 2750 fps is not good, relative to what other combinations can achieve.

Such a large case?

Long action and holds around 62 grains of powder, compared to the short action .308 based cases (including Creedmoor etc).

If you ask me, the .270 Win. is close to a "magnum". Put a 26" barrel on it like a 7mag., find the right powder, and get out your chronograph. A 22 inch barrel and wimpy data won't help any bullet weight.

If one is only getting 2800 from a 270 with H4831 and a 150, one needs to either add more powder, or replace the barrel on the rifle. Perhaps both.

As Seafire said, you can not get enough H4831 in the case to hurt anything with a 150. Fill it up to the top and listen to the kernels crunch as you seat the bullet. Been there, done that with the '06 and 190s.

Seriously, Hogdgon #26 says 150 gr bullet, 58 gr H 4831 at 3015 fps and 52600 CUP.
Nosler #8 says 55 gr H4831 for 2900 fps.

With my experience, if using only standard cup and core bullets, I would be looking for 2950 fps with 150s and H 4831. I would bet the primer pockets would be good for ten reloads.

If loading mono-metals or partitions, I would call 2850 fps good enough.

The SAAMI pressure limits for the .270 are 52000 CUP or 65000 PSI. Hodgdon online: 55.7 grains H4831sc gives 2804 fps and 51,200 CUP in a 24" barrel.

Actually the SAAMI max. average for the .270 Win. is 54,000 CUP

In reality I have found 2800 fps to be a very useful speed for bullets 120 grains and up.

So the 308 case holding 12 grains less of powder, more like 10 is much smaller?

The maximum published online Hodgdon loads are maximum in my rifle. If I go half a grain higher I get pressure signs e.g. stiff bolt lift. Even with 130's, if using Nosler Accubonds, I have to drop down to 59 grain H4831sc from my usual 59.5 grains (60 grains being the maximum online Hodgdon load). Perhaps the SAAMI maximum pressure limit has been revised from 52,000 CUP to 54,000 CUP if you're saying it is 54,000 CUP? Sure, in some rifles you can safely go slightly higher that maximum published loads...but not in mine. As previously stated, I get around 2750 fps with the Hodgdon maximum online published load with 150's. Sure you can sacrifice handiness and put a 26" barrel on a .270, you could put a 28" barrel on if you want and get even more velocity. But who wants to carry around a .270 with a 26" barrel? And if you can safely load the 150's with H4831sc to around 2900 fps, you'd be able to load the 140's and 130's faster than average, which would mean that the large difference in velocity between the 130's, 140's versus the 150's with H4831 is still there. Also, they can't make a 150 grain .270 projectile than gets maximum b.c. in a 10 twist barrel and that stabilizers in a 10 twist barrel at the same time, that has a good b.c. However, they can make a 130 or a 140 grain projectile that has a reasonable b.c. for its weight that does stabilise and also gets maximum b.c. in a 10 twist. So you have the problem of H4831sc not being able to push the 150's anywhere close to what it can push the 130's and 140's, plus the relatively poor b.c. of 150 grain projectiles that run properly (get their maximum b.c. and also stabilize) in a 10 twist barrel. Now if you just want the 150's in a .270 for close range where b.c. doesn't matter, then fine, but there are better options than a .270 with a 24" barrel and a long action for close range work.

12 grains divided by 50 grains is 24 percent. To me, 24 percent is a reasonable difference.

I get a lot more than just 10 reloads out of brass fired with H4831SC in either 270 or 06.

Just to prove a point, I've gotten over 25 reloads out an 06, with the primer pockets still tight, with loads of 62.5 grains of
H4831SC and a 220 grain bullet, or 65 grains with a 200 grain bullet. Non Magnum primers used. Will tell ya this tho, the load is full enough, if it is NOT CRIMPED, it'll back right out of there as the brass decompresses. With a 220 grain, the velocity hovers around 2950 to 2975 depending on brand of brass used.

If anyone remembers when I posted this long ago, I was getting flamed all over the place., for like 20 pages. That was until "Mike" from Nosler logged in and supported my findings. I was being asked if I had a pressure measure, which was NO of course.. so the first thing they did, was do the same to "Mike". His answer, why yes I do, I have an entire pressure lab available. He left his phone number with an invitation to anyone who wanted to call him on the subject. I noted it was a 541 area code here in Oregon. So I called it, and the secretary answered it "Nosler Bullet How May I Direct Your Call?"

That 20 page long thread of flaming me, was on page 3 in about 48 hours after that. " Mike " at the time was the Chief Ballistician at Nosler. He asked how I came to know what I did, and told him I had just worked it up at the load bench, when someone had asked what was the max velocity capable out of an 06 with a 200 grain bullet. I thought about it and decided to find the answer out for myself. Consulted some reload manuals and noted the pressure posted on regular loads ya see, and noted it was a good bit lower than what max SAAMI specs were for the 06. Did the 270 next, but no one questioned that after the end results of the 06 thread.

So there ya go...

Jebuus. I only thought I was a masochist.

I went to 63 gr H4831 with the Hornady 190 btsp in a Win 670 30-06. That SOB just about killed on both ends. The only rig and load I ever "scoped" my eyebrow with. Shooting up hill from a prone position on a downhill slope.

I thought I was doing good to get 63 gr in the LC 67 brass. I laid the brass against the spindle on a vibratory tumbler as I poured the powder in.

I played a bit with IMR4831 and that 190. With IMR 4831, I hit 2900 fps with the 190 from a 22 inch barrel. But I only shot enough of them to develop a charge wt vs velocity curve for the powder.

Yes, that is how I developed my load data. Interpolation, and plotting lots of powder wt/velocity curves. A couple wildcats with no data available, the 260 rem before data was in the books, 7mm STW with just Layne Simpson's original Shooting Times data to work from. I even measured hundreds of cases for expansion, until I came to the same conclusion as Denton. The signal to noise ratio is to low to gain any meaningful data.

l always dreamed of owning a pressure trace. But I don't do enough of that type experimentation today to make one worth while.

H 4831 will do anything that can be done with medium to heavy weight bullets in the 25-06, 270, 280, or 30-06. Unless you are running them through a Remington 742. That bitch would not keep five on a 9" paper plate at 100 yds until I tried some 3031 with the 165 nbt I was using. Then it became a hunting rifle again.

I had 300 pieces of brass for the '06, and over about 15 years shot thousands of rounds through them. I don't think I ever lost one to a loose primer pocket.

As I lost interest in the '06, they all got turned into 25-06 or 270 ammo and given away.

So you are advancing the academic theory of, "dead-er?"

Like women, am not too impressed with the new variety all y'all think is so great.

The old kind works just fine, and has for almost a hundred years, and the women much longer than that.


And killin' game at 3-400 yards with <60 grn. of powder, v. 70 or 80 grn's?

Is efficient.

And a fast-twist .270 will extend that out to 600 yards.




GR

Theory of "dead-er": No, just the theory of using maximum point-blank range with a scope that you don't have to play around with turning the dials (and wasting valuable time) before you take the shot at game up to around 400 yards, and having a scope that only weighs around 11 or 12 ounces instead of 1 1/2 pounds.

Agree.


My unassuming .270Win/150 gr. GS/2800 fps. load has a MPBR(+/-3") of ~ 270 yards, and 12" low top of back hold at 350, and light under top of back hold past that.

No dialing for me.

Just barbecues.




GR

You guys still discussing/arguing about this? Even factory, semi round nosed 150gr ammo will put them where you want at 400 yards. Very easily, I might add.

Here's the most recent example I can share with you: Super old rifle, using a 13 oz scope that does not get "dialed":



Confirm zero at 100:


200 yards:


300 yards:


400 yards:


Crap factory ammo, who needs high bc right:


So you are trying to tell us that a more sleek 150gr handload will not work? I am still going to call BS man. The proof is right there in front of you, on paper.

The 7" circle on the paper represents a small vital zone. There is no deer walking the face of the earth that is going to absorb one of those 150gr pills and live to tell about it. It will be dead, or "deader" if you prefer.
Now, where I used to hunt, elk were mainly on the menu. So I personally feel more comfortable with a 150gr pill in my 270 winchesters. I used to load 150gr Nosler partitions with about 60gr's of RL26 and get around 3,000 fps. That combination is plenty for any elk I've ever seen. That's not saying a 130 won't work either, but I still prefer the 150, even if it's starting velocity is 2,800 fps. YMMV..

Are you still arguing about this...we finished talking about this ages ago? It's better to use maximum point blank range by aiming in the centre of reticle with a 130 or 140 until about 350 yards, then use hash marks from about 350. If the reticle is in the second focul plane, then you don't have changes in range corresponding to each hash mark up to 350 caused by different magnification (because you are aiming in the center of the reticle). Also, the further you get out, the less precise is your aiming when not corresponding with a hash mark because the rate of fall with a low b.c. 150 at 2750 -2800 fps is greater than with a reasonable b.c 130 or 140 driven much faster. If you're hunting elk at longer distance, I'd put away the .270 Win and grab the .338...at least until I can run an 8 twist .270. And it's not that a 130 or 140 kills better than a 150, it's that it's harder to get the low b.c. 150 in the exact right place when you are shooting game at longer distances.

Whew!

And I'm talking about H4831sc with the 150's. Reloder 26 with 150's gives the good velocity, but it's no good in very hot temperatures.

Man, it doesn’t take all this thinking to kill an elk or deer. I haven’t heard a bad combo yet and I’d take those old RN 150’s BSA is shooting before I stayed home.

Yes, but if you have various options, you would probably choose the most viable.

For sure. I just meant there are a lot more that work than don’t.

+1 on that but also I have found that I consider powder availability now and in to the future in developing loads. I don't blame anyone for taking that into consideration.

Hell yes buddy. I would too!! The friend I got them from said that's all he ever used when he only had a 270 to hunt with. He has a stock pile of those factory loads. The Federal blue box generally perform very well for their price point. You already know that though..

Hunter shot great for me with 140 Berger classsic hunters. 54-54.5-55 all shot great at 2900-3000 fps. Went up to 56.5 at 3130 but groups fell off a bit. Magnum primers were pretty flat, even at 55 gr. Glad this powder shot so well as I have plenty.

IF - the shots will be longer?

The NP/150 gr. has a BC of 0.465.

That equates to a wappin' Six yards of MPBR over the unassuming Speer GS of the same weight.

The TSX/140 gr., BC of 0.473 at 2925 fps, stretches that to 284, Thirteen yards.

The deer and hogs just don't seem to appreciate the difference.




GR

A b.c. of .465 for a 150 .277 is crap. The 150 SuperBulldozer has a b.c. of .710. Even their 140 has a b.c. of .650.

The NP is a good bullet with reasonable BC.

The GS is a good Cup-n-Core with a modest BC.

... and the venison and pork taste the same.


For 600 yards, the fast-twist 150 and 165 ABLR looks promising, but then, getting closer is the challenge, not the shot.




GR

A big reason went to H4831 the last go-round, and it has worked out very well.

Don't seem to need the extra velocity for the hunting, and the H4831 will be a lot easier on the bore of the rifles.




GR

RL-26 also isn't as good as H4831 in cold temperatures. At zero Fahrenheit, with 150s the most accurate Reloder 26 handload in my .270 shifted point of impact about 1.5 inches at 100 yards--which would of course be 6" at 400. Zero is pretty common during rifle seasons here in Montana, and below zero not usual--the reason I stick with H4831....

You don't prefer Reloder 23 in the .270 as more stable than Reloder 26, but giving higher velocities than H4831sc (though not as high velocities as Reloder 26)?

I am unclear how much hunting you actually do, but it's often the case that you can not get closer to the game without significantly increasing the risk of being seen or simply that getting closer will result in a worse angle or an unclear shot at the game. With the hogs, because of their poor eyesight you can often get closer if the wind is right, but deer, antelope and sheep are a different proposition.

The best way to compare velocities with certain powders is using the same method of pressure-testing in the same barrel. Hodgdon's listed H4831 data is one that they haven't updated by using piezo-electronic (PSI) method. Instead it's from copper-crusher data, listed as CUP. And their maximum load is only listed at 51,200 CUP, while 54,000 CUP is equivalent to the SAAMI maximum average piezo pressure pf 65,000 PSI.

Speer's latest Number 15 manual uses piezo testing, and in the same barrel the maximum charge of H4831SC they list for 150-grain bullets 57.5 grains is 2860 fps from their 24" test barrel. Their maximum load for RL-23 is 54.7 grains for 2874 fps, for an "extra" 14 fps over H4831. I doubt that would make any difference in the field.

Plus, I have found H4831SC far more available than RL-23 over the years--and even now. Our main local sporting goods store even had H4831SC in stock the other day.