Optimum powder.. 270Win 140 gr

[AK7AN]

Just looking for some input for an optimum powder for 270 win, 140gr, either Hornady SST or Nosler AccuBond? Imr 4831 has always been my go to and has given me good returns, but I haven't really branched out from there. Going to do a second season Bull Elk hunt in Colorado, unit 551 and/or 68.
BTW thanks to all on here who share their knowledge, I have learned a ton form just reading..

 

[69gto]

RL22, I switched to it from h 4831 years ago and never looked back. It gave more velocity and fills the case easier. My WBY. ultralight in .270 win. goes 3080 fps with 140 acc and 3200 with 130 bt, 24 inch barrel. I use Winchester brass and F215 primers.

 

[Bonz]

I will second RL22 as the powder for most velocity in my 270 Winchester. Most of my work is with 130 grain bullets but it's a decided advantage over any other powder I have worked with a chronograph.

RL22 gets 3090 fps with 130 grain bullets out of a 22 inch barrel in my M70, with most other powders hovering in the lower 3000 fps range.

Of those two bullets, go with the AccuBond if those are the only two you're choosing from. No question on that. Bonded vs not. Elk=large.

Otherwise I would toughen it up even more for hard angle shots and shoot a 130 grain Barnes TTSX and be confident of any shot angle I may be presented. That bullet will fly superbly flat if needed and will hold together with better weight retention (read penetration) than any 150 grain bullet; bonded, Partition or otherwise.

Elk are large critters, a bull elk is a very large critter. Great expansion along with superior penetration is the combination to shoot for big critters. If a bullet expands but doesn't penetrate causing a consistently long wound channel that coincides with the vitals, I think you are leaving opportunity on the table to bring to bear the best bullet you can.

YMMV.

 

[NWBlacktail]

I did a lot of shooting with RL22 and the 130 grain BT. That did very well. When I switched to the 140 AB, I ended up using H4831sc. It just shot so well, I never experimented beyond that.

I'm sure RL22 would do well with the 140's though.

 

[Sas874runner]

It's been a long time since I have been here. But I'm running magpro behind a 140 ABC in my 270 with outstanding performance. 62.5 gr at 2940. Zero pressure. This load is above book max so work up safely

 

[SJB358]

RL26 would be a great option if you are wanting to try something new, IMR4955 might be good as well.

 

[Dwh7271]

I was fooling around with QL for another post and went ahead and ran this for you.
Looks like all the mentioned powders do well.

Cartridge          : .270 Win. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .277, 140, Nosler AccuBond 54765
Useable Case Capaci: 59.402 grain H2O = 3.857 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 64000 psi, or 441 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

29 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 85%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26                 105.3     62.0     4.02    3189   100.0    64001   12515   1.100  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP                          106.1     60.6     3.93    3159    99.7    64001   12638   1.100  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560                    107.8     60.3     3.91    3146    97.5    64001   12859   1.097  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70                  102.6     59.8     3.88    3143    99.9    64001   12247   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    108.0     62.9     4.08    3134    96.2    64001   12882   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  110.0     64.3     4.17    3133    98.3    63828   12571   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                110.0     64.3     4.17    3127    98.2    63451   12578   1.094  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60                   96.3     55.3     3.59    3127   100.0    64001   11244   1.095  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       106.2     59.7     3.87    3126    97.9    64001   12422   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15                       108.1     59.8     3.88    3124    98.9    64001   12408   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22                 108.1     59.8     3.88    3124    98.9    64001   12408   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       108.1     59.8     3.88    3124    98.9    64001   12408   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        107.1     59.3     3.84    3110    97.7    64001   12298   1.090  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                            95.3     54.7     3.55    3102   100.0    64001   11169   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17                  95.3     54.7     3.55    3102   100.0    64001   11169   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     107.4     64.1     4.15    3098    99.3    64001   11820   1.095  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                        110.0     59.6     3.86    3093    98.6    61940   12342   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     110.0     59.6     3.86    3093    98.6    61940   12342   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                      109.2     59.3     3.84    3084    97.4    64001   12032   1.105  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                        104.0     56.6     3.67    3078    98.7    64001   11733   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                   98.7     56.6     3.67    3077   100.0    64001   11269   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19                 104.6     57.3     3.71    3076    98.8    64001   11809   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23                 110.0     58.9     3.82    3076   100.0    62073   11214   1.123  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                 96.9     56.5     3.66    3075    99.9    64001   11492   1.109  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                     100.1     56.6     3.67    3074    99.9    64001   11476   1.109  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        94.5     54.8     3.55    3071    99.7    64001   11508   1.111  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      94.5     54.8     3.55    3071    99.7    64001   11508   1.111  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation         105.3     57.7     3.74    3069    98.8    64001   11721   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                       102.0     55.5     3.60    3066   100.0    64001   10659   1.117  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                        110.0     62.5     4.05    3066    97.6    62159   12036   1.104  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           110.0     58.5     3.79    3056    97.1    59436   12224   1.127  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP                           99.6     54.0     3.50    3053   100.0    64001   10989   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550                     96.8     54.2     3.51    3053   100.0    64001   11129   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation          99.7     54.0     3.50    3053   100.0    64001   10986   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation          102.4     56.1     3.63    3050    98.6    64001   11491   1.105  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                        102.4     56.1     3.63    3050    98.6    64001   11491   1.105  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204                           99.2     56.1     3.63    3050    98.6    64001   11491   1.105  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       98.8     54.1     3.51    3049   100.0    64001   10951   1.132  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation       110.0     61.4     3.98    3047    95.4    62560   11984   1.107  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC                   105.6     58.5     3.79    3045    97.1    64001   11576   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831                      109.9     58.5     3.79    3045    97.1    64001   11576   1.101  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                       104.8     58.0     3.76    3039    99.3    64001   11293   1.122  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           104.5     54.8     3.55    3034   100.0    64001   10747   1.124  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25                 110.0     59.9     3.88    3030    99.9    55553   12009   1.164  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 11                   93.2     52.7     3.41    3030   100.0    64001   10579   1.115  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT ~approximation       100.0     55.6     3.60    3028    99.5    64001   11098   1.117  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      108.0     59.2     3.83    3027    99.9    64001   10986   1.135  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Big Game                    90.2     52.6     3.41    3024   100.0    64001   10471   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             102.9     59.4     3.85    3024    98.6    64001   11180   1.109  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon CFE223                      85.1     51.9     3.37    3023   100.0    64001   10445   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4895                            89.9     49.2     3.19    3020   100.0    64001   10496   1.121  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 52                   90.6     51.2     3.32    3020   100.0    64001   10302   1.123  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                      103.2     55.7     3.61    3018    97.8    64001   11184   1.108  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165                    110.0     59.6     3.86    3016    99.1    63671   10994   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA11                        90.7     49.7     3.22    3014   100.0    64001   10463   1.121  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP11 ~approximation          90.7     49.7     3.22    3014   100.0    64001   10463   1.121  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-15                  90.7     49.7     3.22    3014   100.0    64001   10463   1.121  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                          99.2     53.7     3.48    3012    99.7    64001   10920   1.125  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350                      102.0     54.6     3.54    3011    99.3    64001   10886   1.110  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350                           100.1     54.5     3.53    3011    99.4    64001   10865   1.110  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                102.3     54.2     3.51    3010   100.0    64001   10118   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203B                          91.2     49.9     3.23    3009   100.0    64001   10378   1.123  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                        92.0     51.5     3.34    3009   100.0    64001   10612   1.124  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7 NT ~approximation        94.0     51.9     3.37    3005    99.8    64001   10592   1.099  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 516                 88.8     51.8     3.36    3001   100.0    64001   10496   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon BL-C2                       85.7     51.2     3.32    2999   100.0    64001   10228   1.127  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160                    110.0     57.7     3.74    2997    97.7    63852   10960   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3                          92.3     51.1     3.31    2997   100.0    64001   10209   1.136  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old                       92.3     51.1     3.31    2997   100.0    64001   10209   1.136  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4320                            92.7     49.9     3.24    2996   100.0    64001   10092   1.108  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Wild Boar                   86.2     50.4     3.27    2996   100.0    64001   10228   1.118  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 50                   92.0     52.4     3.40    2995    99.8    64001   10604   1.119  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2206H                        88.0     48.2     3.12    2995   100.0    64001   10210   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4895                       87.6     48.0     3.11    2994   100.0    64001   10149   1.121  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho TR140 - preliminary data      91.7     51.8     3.36    2992   100.0    64001   10337   1.121  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903                       94.4     51.1     3.31    2992   100.0    64001   10125   1.135  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7                          96.9     52.1     3.38    2991    99.3    64001   10737   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907                       96.9     52.1     3.38    2991    99.3    64001   10737   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                        93.9     52.1     3.38    2990    99.3    64001   10729   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                          98.1     52.5     3.41    2989   100.0    64001   10517   1.125  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355                        94.6     50.7     3.28    2988   100.0    64001   10142   1.129  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 9                    88.6     50.1     3.25    2987   100.0    64001   10129   1.118  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot TAC                         86.4     51.0     3.31    2985   100.0    64001   10419   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361                       102.0     59.5     3.85    2982    97.0    64001   10934   1.119  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3 NT ~approximation        95.7     52.1     3.37    2982   100.0    64001   10312   1.110  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 7                    86.9     51.1     3.31    2981   100.0    64001   10255   1.126  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET                      93.6     49.6     3.21    2980   100.0    64001   10112   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2208                         93.3     49.6     3.21    2980   100.0    64001   10112   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 507                 85.4     48.8     3.16    2971   100.0    64001    9849   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4064                            94.1     48.7     3.16    2971   100.0    64001    9916   1.116  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S341                        86.9     51.2     3.32    2971   100.0    64001    9869   1.120  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S062                          91.8     48.9     3.17    2962   100.0    64001    9757   1.131  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D073.6                        87.5     49.4     3.20    2958   100.0    64001    9600   1.140  ! Near Maximum !

 

[c. schutte]

I used RL 22 in a .270 win with a 22" barrel (150 grain PT) and got 3040 fps without any pressure issues. In my opinion too hot a load in the rifle for me so it has been backed down. The group was phenomenal nonetheless. No complaints with that powder and the .270

 

[AK7AN]

Thanks so much for the replies and the QL info.. lots of great info to think about. DWH, how does the QL info translate to real world? I know a lot of this depends on each individual rifle and its characteristics, but as a rule is it accurate?
Once again, Thank you.

 

[AK7AN]

So I went powder shopping at our local Sportsmans and was able to get IMR 7828SSC in a 1 lb container, and they had all the Norma powders on sale but no MRP in 1 Lb, so I bought one of the 8 lb. Looks like MRP has great potential.. I loaded up 5 rnd batches, with COAL set to SAAMI specs. with IMR 4831, IMR 7828 SSC, and MRP starting a few grains back and working towards the QL listed max.

I am doing this load workup for 2 rifles. My Weatherby Vanguard 24in bbl, using Norma brass, and my wifes Ruger M77 tang safety (that I bought new 34 years ago), using Winchester brass, 22in bbl.

The IMR 4831 starting at 53.5grs to a load of 55 grs, (a bit over max, but showed no high pressure signs). Velocity started right at 2800 average for both rifles and topped out a little over 2900. The Accuracy potential was so so for all loads, but the Weatherby liked them better.

The IMR 7828 SSC we tried 2 loads 59 and 59.5, (almost max).
First load.. 2950 ish average, excellent accuracy potential in the Bee.
Second load... 2995 average, accuracy potential fair in both rifles.
No pressure signs from either rifle.

Norma MRP.. we tried 2 loads, 59.5 and 60.
1st load right at 3000 average.. excellent accuracy potential.
2nd load, 3106 ave out of the 22in bbl Ruger, and 3128 ave from the 24in bbl Bee.
Acuracy potential was the best I saw from the Ruger (2 MOA) and the same from the Bee. No pressure signs..Good thing it shows the most promise since I bought 8lbs of it :lol: :lol: .
I went into this telling my wife that we weren't looking at point of impact just accuracy potential and velocity.

Here is what I have gotten from our first session.. MRP show the most velocity and accuracy potential from both of our rifles. I am going back to the bench and load another test batch with 60.5 MRP. Shoot those to determine velocity and look at the Accuracy.. Then see which of the 2 MRP loads, (60 or 60.5) to start fine tuning the bullet seating depth to shrink the groups.

I was amazed that the velocity difference between the 2 rifles was minimal. Hardly ever more the 30 FPS and only 22FPS with the highest velocity load.
The old Ruger has had probably over 1500 rnds down the pipe and has always been finicky. When we stared the Bee had only 11 rnds thru it..

Looking for input to see if we are headed in the right direction

 

[35 Whelen]

RL 26..... in our gun is head and shoulders the best for velocity. 3100/140 out of a Tikka T3 with no signs of pressure and great accuracy. Your testing is parallel with same results we came up with 30 years ago, The word "Magnum", and a belted case, can be pretty misleading to the avg fella....
Those longish barrels need to be pretty good sized in diameter to handle the pressures associated with burning all that powder, for all the extra weight of the rifle when compared to the true gain in performance in normal hunting situations, many times it's a darn poor trade.
One time I was shooting at Hamilton Mt, gun club working up a load for a then new Style Mannlicher Professional in 06 , I had gotten up to 2950fps with 52 grs of 4064 powder, using the clubs professional grade chronograph.
A fella showed up just as we finished up with a new Shiny Wea Mark 5 in 300WM, he had just had a local gunsmith lop 4" off the barrel so it would be " handier for Elk hunting"
He had a box of factory ammo, So I asked him what sorta velocitys he was expecting, and he told me , he wasn't sure, but certainly more than a lowly old 06!!!
Well I will let you guess how it all actually worked out!
E

 

[SJB358]

MRP should work well. Just about the same as RL22. Anything over 3k with a 140 in a plain old 270 Winchester will kick butt.

 

[AK7AN]

I have loaded 6 3load batches with the OAL starting at 3.380 using the Hornady comparator, (magazine max), and working down .005 with each succession.60.5 gr Norma MRP, Nosler 140gr AccuBond. The last 2 batches are under SAAMI specs. Hopefully one batch will show acceptable accuracy, Elk season is 2 weeks away :grin: . Will be going out early tomorrow morning to test them out and will post my results..
Thanks to all.
Ed

 

[SJB358]

Good luck, let us know how you make out.