Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters What premium bullet/load to get .270 Win 140 gr. to 3,100 fps safely with 24" barrel?

I finally used up my supply of old factory Federal "High Energy" 140 gr. TBBCs that chrono'ed 3,078-3,102 fps in my 24" model 70. I've had great success with these on all kinds of big game.

Would you have any suggestions on how to replicate 3,100-ish fps with Northfork 140gr or 140gr TSX? If so, what velocities, bullet, which powders?

I've tried H4350 up to 54.0 gr with the TSX but only get around 2955fps; with no obvious signs of pressure. This is the max listed in the Barnes reloading manual. Barnes is able to get 3,030fps.

you may never get there with whats available to us.

And it won't matter anyway. 100 fps isn't enough to sweat over. I"d take the 2950 and be just fine as long as its accurate enough.

Run the drops/drifts and you'll find unless you are running Long shots, it won't matter enough to worry about.

That being said the way I get to most MV... odd rifling, not even. chamber for the loaded round, IE cut to match. Coated bullet and coated barrel with something... nitride,ceramic, moly etc... and high energy type powders like Viht N500 series.

You might get there with H4831 and 140gr NBT's, might have to push it a bit....

Reloder 22 is your best bet.

Try working up to 63 grains of H-1000.

I agree.
You'll probably have to go beyond book max to get there though. It took me 59.5 grains to hit 3050 with no pressure signs.

I've used RE22 with a 130TTSX in my 270. Got speeds to 3,200 without pressure signs, but had horizontal stringing. I could not cure the horizontal stringing until I changed powders.

My load was over 'book' but Barnes seem to tolerate going over book.

RE22 or VV-N560.

I have a longer barrel than you have, but I got 3140 FPS with 140 TSX with the 63 grain H-1000 load that I posted above.
Your rifle may or may not get close to the speed that mine rifle got, all you can do is give it a try.

Barnes TTSX would probably get close. The ttsx is .005 less diameter than most bullets and the bullet has the rings to give less bearing surface. Barnes designs the ttsx this way so they can achieve higher velocity without pressure.

Shod

Two other powders you might try, if you can find any, are Accurate MagPro and Ramshot Magnum. Both are spherical powders, so more can fit inside a case than with extruded powders, helpful with long bullets. I doubt you'll get 3100 in a 24" barrel, but I've pushed 140's to practically that with MagPro in a 26" barrel.

I wouldn't be too concerned about MV...

The performance that you are seeing from your favorite load is mostly due to the excellent older TBBC bullet, that is a stellar performer at any velocity.

If you load the same bullet to the same velocity you'll achieve the same performance benefits, and it won't matter if the bullet is moving 100fps slower.

59.7 of RL-22 gets 3030 from my wife's 270 Win with 140 gr Hornady SST's fired out of a Weatherby Vanguard with a 24 inch barrel. This is the top load listed in Hornady's loading manual. I worked up to this amount and it shot acceptable so I went with it. She bagged an Elk and Deer with combo this year.

TSX or Hornady BTSP (not really a "premium" bullet, but close enough") & RL-22 or Norma MRP.

MM

Magpro
7828ssc
H1000

Can't be done within SAAMI pressure limits.

Why would you risk potential harm to yourself and/or damage to your firearm over 100fps or so that really doesn't matter in hunting situations?

I'm with Mule Deer: try to get some MagPro or Ramshot Magnum. These two seem to be the best options in my mind, with H1000 a close third. Accuracy is going to add more to your confidence in the ammo than another 100 fps.

Get ya a 270 Wby Mag. It'll do 3100 with nary a hitch. Only messing with ya.

On topic. You're going to be hard pressed to hit 3100 with a 140 from an WCF.

Another powder that MIGHT do it in a longer barrel is RL25. This gave me 3200 fps with a Barnes 130 XLC and the Barnes manual max load in a 22" barrel.

R22

Bob,

As noted earlier, I just did a bunch of .270 testing and you just can't get enough RL-25 in a .270 case to get any more velocity than with RL-22.

I did get a little over 3000 with 150's and RL-22 in a 26" barrel, but it didn't get 3100 with 140's even from the longer barrel. In fact, even from the 26" the fastest velocities with 130's were around 3150. I know other people have reported 3200 or even more from 130's in 26" barrels, but this particular rifle wouldn't do it with published data.

Of course, you can always add extra powder to get whatever velocity's desired. In fact I would bet one of Jack O'Connor's favorite sugar cookies that a 140 would go 3100+ from a 26" barrel or even a 24", using RL-22 even with published data when shooting at 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Barnes online lists 56gr of Hunter will give 3045fps. Not 3100, but pretty close:

http://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/270WinchesterWeb2.pdf


Lou

John I forget what Barnes said the velocity was for that RL25 load, and I am working from memory...but as I recall the super slick coating of that XLC blue bullet was supposed to make a difference.

Anyway my velocity reading came from one of those little crony units so who knows(?),but it did come up at about 3200 with the 130 XLC. I didn't think the load was too practical because it was very heavily compressed...lots of crunching....and I was concerned the bullets would back out.

I started to do some testing with conventional bullets ad RL25 but lost track of it.

I see that Powder Valley has 1 and 8 pounders of Mag Pro. Just now checked.

Put me in the camp with Magpro or Magnum. Possibly Hunter as well. I've shot the 130 Partition at 3150+ with Magpro in my 24" M70 and I've seen others report they've broken 3200 fps with it.

In the long run, chasing that performance isn't worth the effort. Besides, the manufacturer had something unavailable as has already been pointed out.
Accuracy trumps speed if that comparison arrises.

Yep, I agree with that. I couldn't get 3100fps out of 140gn pills in my .280Rem, so it would be even harder trying to squeeze the same weight pill down a smaller bore.

Not the same parameters. This is the 140 BT with a 22 inch barrel. Posted elsewhere.

Looks like 3100fps is just pushing the boundaries a bit if you believe QL.

Cartridge : .270 Win. (SAAMI) Bullet : .277, 140, Nosler BalTip 27140 Useable Case Capaci: 59.609 grain H2O = 3.870 cm� Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm Powder : Alliant Reloder-22

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge, incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge. CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time % % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-10.0 97 53.99 2722 2304 44659 12445 94.0 1.239
-09.0 98 54.59 2756 2361 46275 12603 94.6 1.219
-08.0 99 55.19 2789 2419 47952 12757 95.1 1.198
-07.0 100 55.79 2823 2478 49698 12906 95.7 1.178
-06.0 102 56.39 2857 2537 51514 13050 96.1 1.159
-05.0 103 56.99 2890 2597 53404 13188 96.6 1.140
-04.0 104 57.59 2924 2658 55370 13321 97.0 1.121 ! Near Maximum !
-03.0 105 58.19 2958 2720 57417 13448 97.4 1.102 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 106 58.79 2992 2782 59553 13568 97.8 1.084 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 107 59.39 3025 2845 61774 13682 98.2 1.066 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 108 59.99 3059 2909 64092 13790 98.5 1.049 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 109 60.59 3093 2974 66497 13891 98.8 1.031 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0 110 61.19 3127 3039 68994 13985 99.0 1.014 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0 111 61.79 3160 3105 71593 14071 99.3 0.998 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 112 62.39 3194 3171 74300 14151 99.5 0.981 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0 113 62.99 3228 3239 77123 14222 99.6 0.965 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by � 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value: +Ba 108 59.99 3214 3212 78355 13446 100.0 0.965 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE! Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value: -Ba 108 59.99 2847 2519 51018 13314 92.0 1.158

My Tikka shoots a 140 grain Berger out of a 22" bbl at 2980 using 58.2 grains of 4831sc. No accessive pressure signs and brass lasts a long time. Shoots like a varmint gun too.

Ramshot lists three of the four 140 grn bullets used in their data breaking 3050 with Magpro in a 24". Close enough it's a moot point.

It seems to me that if you want 3100fps with a 140 gr bullet in your 270, you are not going to get it, unless you go to a 270 Weatherby or Maybe the 270WSM, I never gotten a 140 gr bullet to shoot very well in any of the 270's I owned in the pass, never found it to be lacking, since I killed ever thing I shot with 130 gr bullets, I don't know if its worth going thru the expense for that 100 to 150 fps difference or not, that is your call on that one. You could just work up a good load, and call it 3100 fps in your head and leave it at that, the game will never know and its doubt full that you would be able to tell under field shooting conditions. You can just put so much fuel into a 30-06 size case and that it, more fuel is going to require a bigger case for very little real gain- that is just how it is, What voodoo federal did with those "High Energy" loads could be a subject to a whole book ! They were great if they shot well in your rifle!

I don't think the OP is going to reach 3100 with 140's and current powders. I run a lot of R22 and see 3165 out of a 26" barrel, with 130 ballistic tips. The load is a hair above book, but superbly accurate. For tougher game I'll probably just use Accubonds in the same weight.

I do see there is now data on Alliant's website, like someone else posted, for new Reloader 23 and 26 powders in the .270 WSM. That's interesting, especially if they are more temp resistant.

What Magpro says doesn't really mean anything. Book velocity and real life velocity are often two completely different things.

I agree but often they're not. 3000-3050 is very doable.

After some posts on here I went and checked out Alliant's site and they have 2 new powders - RL23, RL26. They are showing several loads for 150s w/RL26 that is 3030-3040 fps with 150s (no update on 140s) so maybe another good one to check out.

Lou

From Alliant Load Guide:
MagPro
140
BERGER
VLD
55.4
2,731
61.6
3,020
64,324
3.250
140
HDY
BTSP
57.0
2,808
63.3
3,062
64,603
3.210
140
NOSLER
A-BOND
56.4
2,810
62.7
3,054
64,800
3.340
140
SIERRA
SBT GK
56.5
2,819
62.8
3,051
64,447
3.25

You'll get very close with R22, but it would be wise to work up carefully.

I actually worked up to 3040 to 3050 fps with the 150g SST using both R22 and H4831SC. The 4831 load was so full it pushed the bullet out a little but it still fitted the mag and shot very accurately. It did nit seem to be breathing excessively heavy either. Eventually backed off to around 2940fps.

3000fps is really plenty though with a 140 grainer. Try some R22.

You might want to ask Mule Deer about this. I think there's talk of Alliant 26 powder for 150 gr. bullets that get up to 3100 FPS. . If so, you might be able to get 3200 FPS with 140 gr. bullets.

BTW, I think NorthFork discontinued their 140 gr bullets so only Nosler 140 gr. Partitions and some select others might offer them.

did you happen to notice this is a 2 year old thread?

I am sure everyone forgot it ever existed...

Yes, two years old, but JB just completed testing on RL-26 and thought this might help the original poster.

Swift AF 140

Try Superformance, with the 140 grain Accubonds, I got
3070 Fps average. Norma MRP got 3104Fps same bullet
and case but with CCI250 Mag primes. One load of RL26 went 3153 Fps with 140gr Accubonds and WLR primers and win cases.
These were shot at 70 to 80 degrees. I,ll back the RL26 load off to about 3125Fps next time.

I get 2980 out of my 24B with a max load of Magnum and 140 grain Bergers.Groups average 1/2" 3 shot at 100 yards and snuffed two Montana Mule Deer last last week one shot a piece.

Get a 7 Rem Mag or another cartridge with similar capacity,and get your 140-3100 from a 24" barrel easily.....and then some. Avoids all this mental masturbation and redlining.

I easily got that speed with 150 grain Accubond LR`s and Reloader 26.It did not shoot for chit and so I went with the 140 Bergers a slower speed and 3 bullets in a cluster.

Best I could get with a 140 is 3050. Reloader 22 with a 24 inch barrel. H 4831 at 3000 was more accurate.

Is RL26 the answer now? If so, any loads to share?

Had good groups with ramshot hunter and using 140 sst at 3050fps.
After trying to go faster, the accuracy went away

RL26 clearly gives highest velocity, but in my rifles Norma MRP is more accurate.

Why risk it? I'm betting a deer or you could tell the difference between 3030 fps and 3100

There is no need to do this

Quickload lists RL26 at 3108fps with 58,451psi using 60.2gr of RL26. With 140gr Accubonds.
It lists Norma MRP at 3102fps at 60,440psi. using 59.3gr of MRP. Same 140gr Accubond.
Back to Superformance never go higher than the 3070fps I reported earlier, but it was
very accurate. Remember ever rifle is different. Work up your loads. I go for the powder
with the most accuracy. Most of my load testing was with a Vanguard S2, but recently I
Aquired a Model 70 in 270 Win made in the 1950,s.

Forgot to add I used 3.340 OAL with all loads, With RL26 I used WLRM primers and Federal 215M primers with MRP.
With Superformance I used WLR primers. For my own loads.

GunTruck50,

Based on actual results from the 150-grain Partition, in a number of rifles, I sincerely doubt QL's prediction of 60.2 grains of RL-26 would get anywhere near 3100 fps with a 140 AccuBond. Most rifles require right around 60 grains to get 3000 with 150 Partitions, and Partitions result in more velocity than most bullets (including AccuBonds) with the same powder charges, due to producing more pressure than most other bullets, because of their construction.

In my own .270's 22-inch barrel, 60.5 grains of RL-26 gets right around 3000 fps with the 150 Partition--which seems to be pretty typical of 22-inch barrels. Probably the same load in a 24-inch barrel would get around 3050 to 3075 fps, though Alliant lists 3022 from a 24-inch barrel with 60.8 grains of 26 and the 150 Partition.

Generally it requires a little MORE of the same powder for lighter bullets just to match the velocity of heavier bullets, and quite a bit more to exceed it. In my rifle I eventually worked up to 62.0 grains of RL-26 with 150's, which got right around 3100 fps, but even though there weren't any "pressure signs," pressures in my rifle are obviously above Alliant's pressure-tested results. This is why I use 60.5 grains.

A little calculation, using some simple formulas and actual result with 150 Partitions, indicates it would probably require at least 63 grains of RL-26 to get 3100 fps, and maybe more. I just tried various charges of 26 in a Winchester .270 case fired in my rifle. Drizzling 63 grains slowly, while tapping the case to settle the powder, resulted in the charge filling the case to just above the bottom of the neck, and 65 grains filled it more than halfway up the neck. You could seat a 140 on top of that charge, but it might get pushed forward by the compressed powder. (Filling the case to the very top resulted in a charge of about 69.5 grains.) This is in an unsized case. A FL resized case, or a heavier brand of brass, wouldn't hold as much.

I dunno what velocities RL-26 might result in with 140's in the .270. Haven't tried it, mostly because I'm happy with 3000 fps with 150's. But based on Alliant's data, and results with 150's from several rifle, I sincerely doubt 60.2 grains is going to get 3100 from a 24" barrel, despite what QL predicts.

With a 22" 270, 130 gr and 57.7 gr Re17, Chrono measures 3129 to 3228 fps
But that is not a good load, as Re17 temp variation requires huge safety margins.... so I can't use that load or anything close to it.

I killed 9 deer with that rifle 50 gr IMR4895 130 gr 2875 fps... seems to work just fine out to 400 yards.

Should have checked may own loads first. The Vanguard using RL26 with 61.6gr got 3105fps one time and another day got 3094fps same load.
never tried any thing higher. My Vanguard may have a little faster barrel than others. I,ll have to try that load in my Model 70.

59 to 60 grains of RL 23 should get you very close.

Did not read through this whole thread so forgive me if this is a repeat.
Having said that, my 24" factory barreled Win Model 70(270 Win cal) shoots Nosler 140gr Accubonds into tiny little groups using 61.5 gr of Reloader 26. Chronographed velocity is 3,185 fps. Bolt lift is not stiff, no shiny marks on the case head and primers aren't flat. What's not to like? I'm happy!

Good luck,

Leftybolt

PS: Federal 215 Mag primers tightened up my groups considerably vs standard 210 primers. Velocities with both primers was about the same.

Was at the range yesterday with half a dozen rifles. Among them was my Model 70 Classic .270, with a few old and new loads. Among the new loads was one of the 140-grain Tipped Trophy Bonded and 59.5 grains of H4831SC. Muzzle velocity averaged 3043 fps and accuracy was excellent, 4 shots in .78 inch.

That's from a 22-inch barrel and may prove a little warm in the long run, though my rifle didn't show a hint of any of the traditional "pressure signs." The only pressure-tested loading data for the TTB's uses Alliant powders. Hodgdon lists a maximum of 58.0 H4831SC with the 140-grain A-Frame, but the AF results in higher pressures than just about any other jacketed bullet. Nosler likewise lists 58.0 as maxwith 140's, but Hornady lists 59.9 grains H4831 as max with the 140 Interlock BTSP, 140 SST and 145 ELD-X.

15,000+ views & less than 75 responses. Amazing.

Three year old thread and still not resolved. R26 is my new go to for medium sized cases .243 to 300 WM. Follow MD's advice and you will find bliss. I can get there or close easily with a 24 inch barrel and R26. Many are reporting good velocities but not exceptional accuracy. I think the potential is there, treat it like a slow or ball powder, try magnum primers and it seems to like the sticky bullets or those with a long bearing surface to even out pressures. I am not picky and usually quit when I consistently get groups of an inch or less. Others may be more picky but I don't shoot anything but rocks at extreme ranges.

3000 fps will kill an animal just as dead. Get a short mag or a Weatherby if you feel you just have to get 3100.

I agree with this. My two 270's right now are clocking at 2825fps with 58gr. H4831SC using 140 Acc's (RAR). The Kimber Montana with the same load is 2865fps. I see no need in chasing speed when its consistent accuracy at acceptable pressures using an adequate bullet is what you need. If the number "3" is what someone needs, then move to the 270WSM or a 270Wtby..

Damn, i don't know, but will happily continue to use the old standby load featuring a 150 gr partition at an easy 2925 fps, it's a no nonsense, accurate, hard killer for white tail deer, I swear I've seen buck deer in the scope close their eyes winching in pain when being hit by that load.

JB,

I was just headed to the reloading bench to load a batch of 270 140 TTBCs for a late season mule deer hunt when I happened on this thread - very helpful. I had a couple of boxes of the old Federal 140 TBBCs (non-tipped), but I went through them in the last few weeks to test the rifles I'm considering for the hunt. Now I need to find a load that will get me close to the Federal factory loads.

What primers did you use for the max H4831SC loads? Are you confident about the temperature stability of H4831SC in this application? I'll be doing the load development and test firing in the low to mid-80s F, about 1000 ft. elevation and shooting them on the hunt at about 5000 ft. elevation and likely in the low 30s-40s F, so the temp differential may be an issue with high end loads. I plan to use your data to get a start on the chrono sessions for this weekend - thanks!

Wildcatter,

H4831SC is among the most temp-stable powders available, so there are no worries there. In .30-06-sized cases like the .270 it's also easily ignited by standard primers; I used CCI 200's.

^^^^

I'm getting 2950 fps in a 22" rifle and 3050 fps in a 24" rifle.

58-59 grains of H4831sc, 140 Accubond and CCI 200's.


I have tested them down to -20F. Lost some velocity but not as much as other powders.

Thanks, JB

140TSX and Ramshot Hunter gets me 3050 in multiple 22" 270's. Never tried/chrono'd it in a 24".

Friend of mine showed up at the range with a new Mossberg rifle in .270. I believe it has a 22" barrel.

Ran some Remington "Hyper Sonic" 140 gr ammo over my CED chronograph for an average of 3104 fps!

I was impressed. Accuracy was decent too.

Guy

Remington ??.....CED ??....... 3104 ??

What did you do ? Shoot 2 and ADD together ?



I am impressed being Remington. That's certainly different from what Rem used to do.


Jerry

try rl 26.its the new kid on block.shoots great

Ya, I added 2+2, which even today seems to add up to 4

Then I added 3100 fps!

New shooter wasn't impressed, Didn't know 3100 fps was FAST. I was impressed...

Guy

My results exactly this weekend. 58grs in a Remington case got me 2951 avg out of a 22 inch Pre64 M70.
Also shot 3/4 inch groups off of a rolled up jacket since I forgot my rest. I like it.

130 partition and 4064

Frankly, I don't think it's all that important to hit a 3100fps threshold, but then again, my deer aren't that hard to kill, apparently.

For years and years, I used 4350 and 130gr. bullets, shooting at a bit over 2900, and killed deer without a qualm or wiggle.

I only switched from 4350 to H4831SC to be in the "cool" crowd, got a 100fps boost over what I was getting with 4350, except it's noisier and kicks harder. Kills stuff real dead, but not more dead than I was killing them with the slower loads. I even tried some 140s for a couple years, and they didn't kill deer any deader, either. After all, dead is dead, no degrees of dead, just plain old dead.

I guess, if you gotta have it, you gotta have it, but you won't need it.

Dead is dead.

You are right dead is dead but keep in mind velocity is tied to exterior ballistics. Significant over distance.

You are right dead is dead but keep in mind velocity is tied to exterior ballistics. Significant over distance to many.

I,m learning that every rifle is different. Just got a new Sako A7 last week in 270. The loads that were ok in the
Vanguard are to hot in the Sako. Have to back of loads 1 grain. Had no trouble with extraction or primers but
velocity was to high. Had a similar problem with 2 7MM mags, one rifles velocity was 150fps less than
the other with same load. RL26 seems to be the safest powder to use. Also RL23 is very accurate in both my rifles.
With 140gr Accubonds, best load was at 3080fps. you can get 3100fps or more but load gets very compressed.

I get 3100 fps with 140 grain Bergers using 61.2 grains of RL26 out of my Browning A bolt 270 Win. It has a 22 inch barrel.

Berger data shows 61.5 grains for 3195 fps but that's with a 26 inch barrel.

bdan that looks like a good one. Hows the accuracy? That one looks safe as Alliant lists up to 60.8 with a 150 but some of the Berger data is strait from Quickload and if the data is not calibrated with known loads it can be way off. This is especially true for R26. Quickload uses a burn rate slower than R25 which a closed canister detonation test or however they test these things could produce. But in a rifle cartridge it is a different story and R26 is closer to 7828 or H1000 and right between R22 and R25 sometimes acting like H4831 depending on case size and load.

That 26 inch barrel velocity I doubt if I could gain much more than 50 fps in the WSM even running R26. In my current load of 69 grs. it is just breaking 3200 fps and some change.

Great accuracy, it will put 3 shots almost in the same hole at 100 yards. I haven't tried them beyond 100 yards yet, but will soon.

The Trophy bonded tip is available now. Or you could rechamber to 270 Weatherby

I finally got to the range yesterday to try RL26 in my trusty 270 Husqvarna 9000. All these loads used the Hornady 140gr BTSP. A bullet I quite like to use on our big deer up here in Saskatchewan. The other components used were Imperial brass and CCI 250 primers. This brass was new unfired factory loaded from the 70's that I pulled the bullets from.
58.5gr--2925fps
59.5gr--2955fps
60.5gr--3030fps
61.5gr--3105fps
58.5gr yielded the best group which was .7in which is ok but not great for this rifle. COL was 3.33in.
Primers were not flattened nor was there a stiff bolt lift. I will mess with COL to see if groups tighten up.

It is crazy that so many of us try to improve accuracy when we are beating MOA! When I was younger getting my old 30-06 to group better than 1 3/8th inch was impossible. Nowadays it will usually beat an inch and a couple of loads are impressively in the .7 area. This has to be because bullets are so much better than they used to be ( or the barrel took some breaking in). That said the old Springfield took a lot of game shooting out to 450 yards but mostly under 350. My first 270 was more accurate than that 30-06 right off the bat often shooting factory loads better than the reloads I put together for the 06. I used the 270 as my coyote rifle and an occasional Elk rifle then as a loaner, Convinced in the early 80's the 30-06 was the better Elk rifle. This was before I ever loaded Partitions much. That said I am going to run my newest 270 this fall loaded with 140 gr. partitions and hopefully R22 will provide decent accuracy at top speeds.

Last fall checked the velocity of the same load in 3 different 270 Winchesters all with 24" barrels shot on same day.
load was 61.6gr of RL26 140gr Accubond WLR primer Win case, and OAL of 3.300.

Model 70 pre 64 made 1952 gave 3108fps with SD of 16.5 3 shots I don,t think this rifle has been shot a lot, but got it used.

New Sako A7 3178fps SD 11.6 load was hotter than I like, no pressure signs. Very Accurate. Will reduce load for this rifle.

Vanguard S2 3099fps SD 17.3 This rifle may have 3000 rounds thru it. Still very accurate. Also this rifle has a very long throat.

Interesting GT50. 2 of 3 loads for you were almost identical to my results. Hopefully I can get the groups a little tighter.

RL26 always gives the highest velocity in all my rifles, but not the best accuracy.
I get best accuracy in 270 with 140gr bullets with RL23, but I loose about 50fps. In 150gr Partitions
best accuracy comes from Norma MRP in that load its about 25fps slower than RL26.
With 110gr Barnes TTSX best accuracy is with RL17 and RL16 at 3400fps. They seem to string vertically
in the Sako A7 a little.

The one load where RL26 does give the best accuracy is in a 30/06 with 165gr bullets. I,m getting about
3015fps. So far Accubonds, Ballistic Tip and Barnes TTSX all give under a 1" at a 100 yard.

Why the necessity to get to 3100fps??

Got to the range again yesterday. I shortened col to 3.295 from 3.33 and loaded 61.0gr and 61.5gr of RL26. The load using 61.5gr put five shots into a .5in group and passed through the chrony at 3115fps. The other load not so great. Again, the bullet of choice is the Hornady 140gr BTSP. Primer used is CCI 250 and brass is Imperial. No flattened primers or stiff bolt. I'm happy with that and will leave as is. I started at 58.5gr RL26 and worked up.

I would say you are done. That is exactly the same load I worked up for my sons Colt Light/NULA and It took less than 20 rounds to get there. I got lucky and arbitrarily seated to the cannelure and it worked out fine. Same velocity and group size as yours pretty much. I think it could take 200 more loads to get much if any improvement on what I already have so will load and go with these. Good to hear that you like the Hornies for big bodied deer as I hope these will be on the agenda for next season. With Mule deer, Axis and one place that has verified 200+ lb field dressed Tx. white tails we will be ready. I used the 270s little brother the 6.5x55 with 129 Hornadays and R26 last year and it worked exceptionally well.

Yes I think you are right. I'm done. And yes, I like the 140gr BTSP for big deer. I've used it here on our big deer for close to 20 years. They've always performed as expected with no lost deer. They shoot flat and retain more than enough energy to the other side of a quarter mile. Premium bullets not needed.

That’s what I’d like using 26 with the 140 HBSP.




If this load is accurate in my T 3 SS Lite, I’ll be pickled tink. grin

Jerry