Is this hot for a .270? Newbie reloading advice.

Hi guys,

Im new to reloading and have recently developed a load for my .270win under the guidance of my brother. Just wanting your opinions because after having a look on the web I havent found any one else using as high a charge as me in this powder (wondering if my brother is as experienced as he makes out?.

Rifle: Sako A7 24inch barrel
Powder type: AR2209
Powder weight: 57.5 grains
Projectile: 130 grain hornady SST
MV: 3080 fps
Primer: Remington
Brass: Federal

We started the load ladder at 50 grains and worked up in 0.5 grain increments checking for pressure signs (there were non). Ended up finding a sweet spot in accuracy at 57.5gr and was happy with MV. What do you guys thing, max recommended load is 54-55.3 (depending on which book) so we are way over but no pressure signs at all.

Cheers,
Dawg

It’s certainly a warm load, generally you’d expect around 3050 from a 130gn pill, depends how accurate the chrony is? If you worked the load up in cold temps just be a little mindful of shooting it in hot summer temps, it may need to be backed off a bit? Some factory rifles have slightly larger chambers than test rifles used to come up with load data so you need to go “over book” to achieve the same speed.

Thanks @outdoorlad I will try them in the chrony again tomorrow to double check MV's, but I think it is relatively accurate (factory hornady super performance 130gr SST's were 3050fps).

I may look at backing the load off slightly, particularly after hearing temp may increase pressures.

Cheers,

Dawg

guessing your rifle has a long throat/lead ..... each rifle is different and will handle different pressures,mine is happy a couple of grains above book max but I ve worked up to that carefully over a lot of years...definately check load in warmer weather with caution. if you getting same/similar speed to superpreformance you can pretty much say your pressure is getting up there as those loads are close to edge of envelope...eg a lot of guys cant macth speed with reload and SOME rifles show excess pressure with them.

I have ADI reloading manuals that go back over many years, the max loads for many powders has been backed off by a considerable margin from the early days.

I think I was at 54gr 2209 when I was shooting true 7mm.
Everything 130gr kept same POI and 110gr and 150gr moved up and down vertically while keeping in line horizontally. Most curious...none of my other cals have been that easy.
The sst can be a bit brittle up close in 270

Book maximums are always conservative. 3080fps is not extraordinary for a 130gn pill in the 270win with a 24" barrel so if you are not getting any pressure signs (stiff bolt lift etc) then I don't see a problem. As @outdoorlad pointed out ambient temperature can make a difference but I have never heard of 2209 being prone to marked temperature instability either. Just get out hunting.

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Originally Posted by Shearer

Book maximums are always conservative. 3080fps is not extraordinary for a 130gn pill in the 270win with a 24" barrel

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Not considering some factory ammo has them going 3250fps..

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Thanks for the advice guys, I will definitely retest them though the chrony and keep a close eye for any pressure signs. Next test will be to see how they go on deer!

Cheers,
Josh

2213SC is also a good powder .

Yea its pretty slow for a 130gr load with that much pressure, you would be better off switching to 2213sc or N560 and running at least that fast or more with less pressure

Look up Moosemans loads with 140 grnrs and Superformance and you may choose a new path to enlightenment. I wouldn't panic too much about your loads if you don't have pressure signs. For years (1960's) everyone used 60 grns of IMR 4831 in their 270's now all of a sudden loads like that are way too hot in the manuals.

Amen to brother Mooseman

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Look up Moosemans loads with 140 grnrs and Superformance and you may choose a new path to enlightenment. I wouldn't panic too much about your loads if you don't have pressure signs. For years (1960's) everyone used 60 grns of IMR 4831 in their 270's now all of a sudden loads like that are way too hot in the manuals.

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Yes my load for the 145 Gr ELD X at 57 grs of Superformance works well in my Tikka, if you are going to try that load start lower and work up. Superformance has a burn rate slower than 2213 SC so a load for 2213 SC should be fine. Your rifle may not like it but it is worth a try, just remember work up to that load. I used that load over the summer and found it OK but it would be up there and what I would class as Max. Superformance is meant to be a temperature sensitive powder compared to ADI powders.

hay mate have a look at ballistic studies.com it is an awesome place to start it has more info on just about every caliber made in one place
http://ballistic studies.com and will tell you every thing you need to know check out the knowledgebase on his site
good shit so do it and it will give you a good safe place start if you are not sure :thumbsup: and he is a kiwi who is also a member of this forum community

Wicked thanks for that guys willdo. Keen to give that load a try @Mooseman, will have to try and get my hands on some super performance powder. Have you tried a load with 130grainers in that powder or only 140?

Cheers


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Originally Posted by Dawg

Wicked thanks for that guys willdo. Keen to give that load a try @Mooseman, will have to try and get my hands on some super performance powder. Have you tried a load with 130grainers in that powder or only 140?

Cheers


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Why would you want to use 130's when you can shoot 140 Accubonds. 130's are perfect for all run of the mill yearlings, spikers etc plus any pig but they are just a bit light for a big rutting stag where a shoulder hit front on or side on, might only break that leg and not quite penetrate enough to stop him. Lets be honest on a big tough animal with the red mist in his eyes something with similar power to a 7mm rem mag is a lot better than a 270. So I say embrace these new bullets and powder that move the 270 up quite a few notches.

@Moa Hunter Good to hear your advice. Im not against using 140 grainers, its just I have a full box of 130 grainers I want to get through first to save $$ and in my experience even the factory 130 grainers have been fine on everything from sambar to roaring reds. Im sure the 7mm rem mag has its own advantages particularly in the long range environment, but lets be honest if your having trouble killing even a big roaring stag with a .270 (within sensible ranges) the problem might be with the shooter not the calibre.

I have humanely shot a number of reds including mature stags with .223 using 60 grain partitions, not advocating this by any means but I think it shows using a bigger calibre is not always the answer - shot placement and knowing the limitations of your rifle are just as important.

Cheers,
Dawg

Red deer are not hard to kill. But some people find them difficult to hit in a killing spot. :)

@Dwag, I haven't tried 130 gr bullets with Superformance but it most likely will move them pretty quick. I think Moa Hunter is right a heavier bullet at a good speed is going to be better on those worked up stags. That load with the 145 gr eld x is going faster than any 130 gr bullet I have loaded with other powders, I have got close with other powders ,but not quite there.

Thanks @Mooseman, I will definitely try and get my hands on some of those 145gr ELD X projectiles and Superperformance powder. Just out of curiosity have you tried the 150 grain projectiles? Im wondering with stabilisation may become a problem at that weight? If not and you can maintain a velocity above 3000fps the .270 WSM may be in trouble!

Only tried the 145 gr ELD X but the 150 gr bullet should work well just remember to use 2213 SC data and work up to the Max. In some cases you may be able to go over that but because Superformance might have pressure problems in the hot weather I would stay at no more than Max. You are right it is treading close to 270 WSM speeds but in the 270 Win. Can't see why there would be stabilization problems as the 270 win shoots fine at 2850 -2900 fps so the increase ( if any) up to 3000 odd is not a great deal so should be fine.

Thanks @Mooseman that’s encouraging to hear. Looks like I’m going to get my hands on some heavy projectiles!

I will post up how I get on some time in the future, fingers crossed will be able to try them out on an animal too.




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Dawg.......you sound like a man after my own heart when it comes to expending $$$$ so ......buy a 15 sample pack of 150grn partitions.....put them together with a load that you think looks about right...1grn below max sort of thing......if your current 130grn load shoots good use one of them to set bullet seating die up..... fire 3 of the 15 to determine where your POI is going to be (50 quid to a knob of goat shit its within 2" vertically and close to smack on horizontally) and keep them for bush stalking roaring stags....keep using your 130s and be happy.... the terminal preformance of 150 partitions is .....ummmm...quite good.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

the terminal preformance of 150 partitions is .....ummmm...quite good.

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And there is 160gr partitions also. How would these go with a bit of superformance up them? Nipping on the heels of a 7mm rem mag.

Haha thanks @mick duck sounds like a bloody good plan to me!


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dawg

@Moa Hunter Good to hear your advice. Im not against using 140 grainers, its just I have a full box of 130 grainers I want to get through first to save $$ and in my experience even the factory 130 grainers have been fine on everything from sambar to roaring reds. Im sure the 7mm rem mag has its own advantages particularly in the long range environment, but lets be honest if your having trouble killing even a big roaring stag with a .270 (within sensible ranges) the problem might be with the shooter not the calibre.

I have humanely shot a number of reds including mature stags with .223 using 60 grain partitions, not advocating this by any means but I think it shows using a bigger calibre is not always the answer - shot placement and knowing the limitations of your rifle are just as important.

Cheers,
Dawg

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Hi Dawg, I am not suggesting everyone rushes out to buy Rem Mags what I am saying is that the 270 has its limitations, with a poorly angled hit that sometimes happens but looked alright when the trigger was squeezed, standard 130 grain loads might not be enough on a really stirred up big stag and that a calibre with the power of a Rem Mag is better. The problem though, is as Ryan Songhurst raised in a similar thread that some of the heavier bullets are too hard for light animals like chamois. I actually have found the old Winchester Powerpoint 130's are great Chamois medicine