Best powder for a 270 Winchester

LOUD · August 5, 2010, 09:06 PM

Hey folks , what is the best powder for a 270 Winchester and please dont say anything extruded , my progressive hates that stuff . I may be that I will go single stage for these larger rifle rounds, but for now i prefer ball of flake powders " I hate Varget" thanks in advance for your input......LOUD

oneoldsap · August 5, 2010, 09:48 PM

W-760 , H-414

Shoney · August 5, 2010, 10:42 PM

I tried the following powders in several 270's: IMR4831, IMR4350, IMR4064, IMR4895, and RL22.

With the 100 gr bullets: IMR4064 and IMR4895 were my choices for accuracy and velocity.

With the 130 Gr bullets: IMR4350 was slightly more accurate than the RL22, but the RL22 gave a much higher accuracy velocity.

With 140 gr bullets: IMR4831 gave the most accurate load with the highest velocity.

Each 270 rifle I've loaded for had it's own favorites.

Good Shooting!

jimbob86 · August 5, 2010, 11:29 PM

But I have had better results with them....

H414 and H335 are the only ball powders I have used- and using a magnum primer as suggested in Speer#13 helps keep velocity consistant in cold weatherwith the H414. I substituted the H335 for IMR4064 when I ran out once. It worked.

I have found IMR 4064 accurate and consistant for light bullets for prairie dogs. It does not seem to matter what brand of 100-110gr bullet, 47 grains of 4064 will generate about 3000 f/sec with pretty much the same POI.....

H4831 (and H4831sc) worked OK for 130gr hunting loads, generating about 3,050 f/sec and 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards.

H1000 w/ 130 grain bullets was a bust- did not develop advertised velocities.

58 grains of IMR7828 with 150gr SGK's gives about 2,925 to 2,950 (depending on powder temp) f/sec and 1.25" groups ...... not bad for a 50+ year old rifle with many thousands of rounds through it.

I had been wanting to try RL22, but other projects (daughters' hunting rifles and loads for same) have come up......

FrankenMauser · August 6, 2010, 12:08 AM

The best powders for the .270 Winchester are extruded!

The only ball powders I have experience with in the .270 are W-780, H380, and ... I forget the third. I haven't completed testing with the 780, yet. H380 is decent, but I prefer IMR4895, H4895, and 4064.

Jim243 · August 6, 2010, 02:18 AM

Have to agree with FrankenMauser on the extruded powder, but I single stage load them. (H4895 & H4350)

Jim

nodlenor · August 6, 2010, 08:21 AM

I would add IMR7828 to the list as I've had good luck with it. Especially with heavier bullets.

jimbob86 · August 6, 2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Have to agree with FrankenMauser on the extruded powder, but I single stage load them.

Me too.

I wonder who has the shoulder to NEED a progressive set up for .270?

Though I have loaded 150 rounds in an evening with a hand press in the back of my van in a prairie dog town....

[QUOTE][I would add IMR7828 to the list as I've had good luck with it. Especially with heavier bullets. /QUOTE]

I mentioned that one already.....

LOUD · August 7, 2010, 12:12 AM

Thanks guys, this info is useful, as for the reloading set up , the only press I have at the moment is a progressive .Im just just getting into larger rifle reloading , The reason I dont like extruded powder is I tried with Varget on my case activated powder drop and the little sticks would line up and it would cause the metering body to hang, you could hear it when it did drop cutting the pieces into"crunch" and being that I was loading a small case mouth 223 it hung up there too, I never did get that stuff to drop consistantly I finaly used it all up and was glad it was gone, Later on I might get a single stage and this avoiding extruded powder wont be an issue.Thanks again .........LOUD

jimbob86 · August 7, 2010, 10:14 PM

Loud- Really, How many rounds do you think you'll shoot? I have loaded more rounds for p-dogs with a hand press and a dipper than I can remember... my hunting loads (probably 20 or 30 a year!) are carefully weighed out individually.....

I can't imagine springing for a progressive press for rifle calibers....

sserdlihc · August 7, 2010, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Loud- Really, How many rounds do you think you'll shoot? I have loaded more rounds for p-dogs with a hand press and a dipper than I can remember... my hunting loads (probably 20 or 30 a year!) are carefully weighed out individually.....

I can't imagine springing for a progressive press for rifle calibers....

I agree! A progressive is great for turning out alot of handgun ammo. But I would use a single stage to reload rifle brass.

dmazur · August 7, 2010, 10:57 PM

I load .243 on a progressive (Dillon 550) and the only trouble I've had with Varget is "bridging" if I didn't clean the lube out of the case mouths.

I was considering getting a single stage for loading rifle, but I managed to make the 550 work fine. (I do deprime/resize/reprime at Station 1, then remove the brass for wiping off lube, checking cartridge headspace and trimming/chamfering as necessary. Then with a bin full of "prepped" brass, I resume operations on the press, indexing before pulling the handle. Some use separate tool heads, but I find this method avoids having to keep two sets and saves space.)

Dillon's present powder measure doesn't do too bad with Varget, but they do offer a 450 case activated powder die if you want to use a RCBS powder measure for extruded powders. Varget supposedly has "shorter" extruded grains, so if you try the types with long grains, you'll probably hate them more.

ForneyRider · August 9, 2010, 10:23 AM

I have used 58gr R22 with a variety of 130gr bullets with good hunting accuracy. Velocity is around 3100fps.

Doodlebugger45 · August 9, 2010, 10:55 AM

Even though I only typically load 15-20 rounds at a time and hand trickle the last grain or so for my rifles, I do agree that the extruded powders are harder to use with any powder measure. I really like the H-4831 for several calibers though. So I finally managed to find a jug of 4831-sc. I haven't opened it up yet, but will do so as soon as I use up the rest of the regular 4831. I was told that the "SC" means "short cut". Supposedly it burns the same as the regular stuff but it is shorter to make it meter much better. Sounds good so I will try it. The H-4831 should work good in the .270.

Jason280 · August 9, 2010, 03:43 PM

You cannot go wrong with 4831 or 4350, either Hodgdon or IMR.

LOUD · August 9, 2010, 07:00 PM

Hey Jimbob, thanks for your input , the thought of you in the back of a van in a prarriedog town concocting loads really cracks me up. I can just see that!! anyway I dont think I"ll shoot that much ammo in 270 but I just wanted to be able to reload for it ,instead of running down to the gun shop or walmart for factory ammo. If I really start to use more I will probablly go single stage for better quality control and extruded powder wont be an issue , but at the moment I only have a progressive press "Hornady LnL AP" as I shoot a lot of 40 S&W and 223. Thanks again , still grinning over the van in prarriedog town thing......LOUD

August 5, 2010, 10:42 PM	#3
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	I tried the following powders in several 270's: IMR4831, IMR4350, IMR4064, IMR4895, and RL22. With the 100 gr bullets: IMR4064 and IMR4895 were my choices for accuracy and velocity. With the 130 Gr bullets: IMR4350 was slightly more accurate than the RL22, but the RL22 gave a much higher accuracy velocity. With 140 gr bullets: IMR4831 gave the most accurate load with the highest velocity. Each 270 rifle I've loaded for had it's own favorites. Good Shooting! __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

August 5, 2010, 11:29 PM	#4
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	I know you don't want to hear about extruded powders.... But I have had better results with them.... H414 and H335 are the only ball powders I have used- and using a magnum primer as suggested in Speer#13 helps keep velocity consistant in cold weatherwith the H414. I substituted the H335 for IMR4064 when I ran out once. It worked. I have found IMR 4064 accurate and consistant for light bullets for prairie dogs. It does not seem to matter what brand of 100-110gr bullet, 47 grains of 4064 will generate about 3000 f/sec with pretty much the same POI..... H4831 (and H4831sc) worked OK for 130gr hunting loads, generating about 3,050 f/sec and 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards. H1000 w/ 130 grain bullets was a bust- did not develop advertised velocities. 58 grains of IMR7828 with 150gr SGK's gives about 2,925 to 2,950 (depending on powder temp) f/sec and 1.25" groups ...... not bad for a 50+ year old rifle with many thousands of rounds through it. I had been wanting to try RL22, but other projects (daughters' hunting rifles and loads for same) have come up......

August 6, 2010, 12:08 AM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,427	The best powders for the .270 Winchester are extruded! The only ball powders I have experience with in the .270 are W-780, H380, and ... I forget the third. I haven't completed testing with the 780, yet. H380 is decent, but I prefer IMR4895, H4895, and 4064. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

August 7, 2010, 12:12 AM	#9
LOUD Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 236	Thanks Thanks guys, this info is useful, as for the reloading set up , the only press I have at the moment is a progressive .Im just just getting into larger rifle reloading , The reason I dont like extruded powder is I tried with Varget on my case activated powder drop and the little sticks would line up and it would cause the metering body to hang, you could hear it when it did drop cutting the pieces into"crunch" and being that I was loading a small case mouth 223 it hung up there too, I never did get that stuff to drop consistantly I finaly used it all up and was glad it was gone, Later on I might get a single stage and this avoiding extruded powder wont be an issue.Thanks again .........LOUD

August 7, 2010, 10:57 PM	#12
dmazur Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2007 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,310	I load .243 on a progressive (Dillon 550) and the only trouble I've had with Varget is "bridging" if I didn't clean the lube out of the case mouths. I was considering getting a single stage for loading rifle, but I managed to make the 550 work fine. (I do deprime/resize/reprime at Station 1, then remove the brass for wiping off lube, checking cartridge headspace and trimming/chamfering as necessary. Then with a bin full of "prepped" brass, I resume operations on the press, indexing before pulling the handle. Some use separate tool heads, but I find this method avoids having to keep two sets and saves space.) Dillon's present powder measure doesn't do too bad with Varget, but they do offer a 450 case activated powder die if you want to use a RCBS powder measure for extruded powders. Varget supposedly has "shorter" extruded grains, so if you try the types with long grains, you'll probably hate them more. __________________ .30-06 Springfield: 100 yrs + and still going strong

August 5, 2010, 09:06 PM	#1
LOUD Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 236	Best powder for a 270 Winchester Hey folks , what is the best powder for a 270 Winchester and please dont say anything extruded , my progressive hates that stuff . I may be that I will go single stage for these larger rifle rounds, but for now i prefer ball of flake powders " I hate Varget" thanks in advance for your input......LOUD

August 5, 2010, 09:48 PM	#2
oneoldsap Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2009 Location: I live in the foot of the Green Mountains of Vermont Posts: 1,602	W-760 , H-414

August 6, 2010, 02:18 AM	#6
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Have to agree with FrankenMauser on the extruded powder, but I single stage load them. (H4895 & H4350) Jim

August 6, 2010, 08:21 AM	#7
nodlenor Member Join Date: October 29, 2007 Posts: 59	I would add IMR7828 to the list as I've had good luck with it. Especially with heavier bullets.

August 7, 2010, 10:14 PM	#10
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Loud- Really, How many rounds do you think you'll shoot? I have loaded more rounds for p-dogs with a hand press and a dipper than I can remember... my hunting loads (probably 20 or 30 a year!) are carefully weighed out individually..... I can't imagine springing for a progressive press for rifle calibers....

August 9, 2010, 10:23 AM	#13
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	I have used 58gr R22 with a variety of 130gr bullets with good hunting accuracy. Velocity is around 3100fps. __________________ When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.

August 9, 2010, 10:55 AM	#14
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	Even though I only typically load 15-20 rounds at a time and hand trickle the last grain or so for my rifles, I do agree that the extruded powders are harder to use with any powder measure. I really like the H-4831 for several calibers though. So I finally managed to find a jug of 4831-sc. I haven't opened it up yet, but will do so as soon as I use up the rest of the regular 4831. I was told that the "SC" means "short cut". Supposedly it burns the same as the regular stuff but it is shorter to make it meter much better. Sounds good so I will try it. The H-4831 should work good in the .270.

August 9, 2010, 03:43 PM	#15
Jason280 Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2002 Location: Athens,Georgia Posts: 355	You cannot go wrong with 4831 or 4350, either Hodgdon or IMR.

August 9, 2010, 07:00 PM	#16
LOUD Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 236	Hey Jimbob, thanks for your input , the thought of you in the back of a van in a prarriedog town concocting loads really cracks me up. I can just see that!! anyway I dont think I"ll shoot that much ammo in 270 but I just wanted to be able to reload for it ,instead of running down to the gun shop or walmart for factory ammo. If I really start to use more I will probablly go single stage for better quality control and extruded powder wont be an issue , but at the moment I only have a progressive press "Hornady LnL AP" as I shoot a lot of 40 S&W and 223. Thanks again , still grinning over the van in prarriedog town thing......LOUD