Thread: 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.

Originally Posted by Shearer

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

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

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.

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 and he is a kiwi who is also a member of this forum community