I'm going to load up some .270 Win and need a reduced load for my younger son(11 years). I'm using 130 grain Speer bullets and Ramshot Hunter. Ramshot Load Guide says 51 grains will net about 2,800 fps(min load they mention) . I would like to get down to about 2,600-2,700 fps for practice. Any suggestions are appreciated.

I have done some reduced loads for my 270's.

Check here:
Hodgdon powder
Click on data then youth loads.

The other thing you can do is load lighter weight bullets. Both Barnes and Sierra make 110gr hunting bullets. That will reduce recoil.

here's a load that Mule Deer posted a while back that worked well for me:

"...42 grains of IMR4895 and a 130-grain Hornady Spire Point. It not only takes deer neatly, but recoils gently and leaves lots of wild turkey left over if there happens to be a rifle season open in the fall."

I just tried the 55 grains of H4831 + 130 Nosler flat base in my .270 did not shoot so well in my rifle where 57 grains shoots well but it was also a seating depth change as I cramed them into the lands with the 55 grain load just to try it, experimenting on stuff. Wish I had some IMR 4895 to try.

On the other hand BobinNH once recommended a IMR4064 load that worked in my rifle IIRC it was about 43 grains of IMR4064 and it shot pretty good and was a bit milder. Just FYI 55 grains of H4831 and a 130 is way more kick than a 100 grain in a 257 rob with 45 grains of IMR4350, and the bob weights a pound less or so.

Thanks guys. I really want to stick with the Ramshot Hunter powder for this. I'm gonna try a load of 49.64 grains of Hunter and see how that shoots for practice. 49.64 grains is what the Lee 3.4 cc scoop gives. I like to keep things simple.

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/contactus.php
Ask the people that sell Ramshot your question.

Might work,but the Ramshot powders I've worked with seem to really like the upper end pressures. Groups usually improve as the charge weight increases.

I've loaded a lot for the 270 and I've had similar results as Ole 270, Ramshot seems at its best with upper end pressures, at least in my rifle (Rem M700). At or near max with a few different bullets (noteably the 130 Hornady SP and NP), I've had excellent groups. I can post pics of how the groups closed up as I worked up if you'd like. I've not had the best luck with Speer's, I did a lot of shooting with the Grand Slams and didn't get squat. But I did get a decent 5-shot group with their 130 boat tail with a mild load 53.0 grns of H4350:



I've shot much better groups with Barnes, Sierra, Hornady and Nosler (never had much luck with Speer), but if I remember correctly this load was chrony'd around the 2650 ballpark.

Thanks M1Garand,

I think these light loads will be fine for shooting 75 yards at paper plates. The kids will be happy if they get just a few hits.

Our hunting load will most likely be around 54 grains of Hunter. This load will get shot off the bench to see what the chrony says and what kind of groups it gets at 100 and 200 yards.

For what it's worth, the Ramshot manual I downloaded lists 49.5 gr Hunter as min for .270 win with 140 gr barnes.
A heavier stickier bullet than your 130 speer.
For me, Ramshot, like most ball powders, burn more consistently/accurately at higher pressures not min. loads.
Will it work and be safe?
Probably, but send Ramshot an Email anyway,it's free

I did email Ramshot and got this very nice reply from Johan Loubser, their ballistician-

"Yes that load will be fine. However, if you really want super light loads we recommend using our Accurate 5744�.
With this powder you can really cover a wide velocity range.
We suggest as follows.
Caliber: .270 Winchester
Barrel length: 24�
Reduced loads:
Powder: Accurate � 5744.
Bullet weight: 130 grains.
Low load: 20.0 grains (1700 � 1800Ft/p/sec)
Midrange load: 29.0 grains (2300 � 2400 Ft/p/sec)
Maximum load: 37.0 grains (2700 � 2800 Ft/p/sec)."

Good info there. Sounds like they would be fun.