Oliverfan

Looks like I won't be getting another .223 or a .204 for a varmint/shooting rifle anytime soon, so I'm looking at turning my .270 into a "varminter" with 90-100 grain bullets. It will be a couple years til I have the funds to go after elk, mule deer, or even pronghorn, at that time I will work up loads for 130-150 grain bullets to take care of the larger critters. I currently have a Savage model 111 (pre AccuTrigger). I have reloaded 9mm and .45ACP handgun ammo but have not gotten to reloading rifle ammo yet.

I have the Speer reloading manual with data for the 90 grain TNT as well as the 100 grain Varmint HP. I know Sierra and Hornady have some bullets in the 90-110 grain but am unsure where to start. Most of the shooting will probably be targets but would like to be able to take gophers and coyotes if the opportunity presents itself, I'm not overly concerned about pelt damage on the coyotes. Anyone have experience reloading/using these lighter bullets in their .270?

NVcaster

I have shot some Sierra 90 grain bullets with IMR 4831 in the 270 and they were OK, about an 1.25 inches at 100 yards. I would try some IMR 4350 and see what it does.

Oliverfan

Thanks for the suggestions, I will try them out. My Speer reloading manual states a magnum primer was used when they tested IMR 4831 with the 90gr bullets, did you do the same?

TMan51

Actually the 90gr Sierra's usually shoot real well, and there are a couple ways to get some added versatility from them.

For varmints, it's hard to beat H414/W760. You use less powder, it meters far better than an extruded powder, and accuracy is typically really good. That bullet in a .270 will literally detonate a coyote as far as you can see 'em.

For practice loads, you might want to try a 100% density load of Trail Boss. 20gr of TB will net about 1600-1700fps, makes far less noise, doesn't turn the barrel into a branding iron in five shots, and accuracy is usually extremely good. I use the 100gr bullet in my .280, and it will put five shots under a nickle at 100yds.

ThreeScrew

I've never loaded lightweights in my .270. If you're looking for a practice load, you might google "C.E. Harris The Load". This is a reduced load of 13 grains Red Dot that works in just about any HP rifle case, though cast bullets are preferred.

I think 150 should be your minimum for elk, and a premium bullet at that.

Darkker

Speer has long followed the "old time" standard of using a magnum primer with all ball powders. I have hunted in the nastiest cold I thought existed, and the hottest crap that AZ can dish out. I have yet to have an "issue" using ball powder in any of my guns. Personally in my testing of 760/414 with the 270 Mag primers merely open up the ES.

The Speer TNT has a very fragile jacket, and the 270 can easily push it too fast. So unless you back off on the speed(makes less flat trajectories) then you may have them scatter; I did.
I agree with Tman, 760/414 works beautifully in 90-130gr bullets in the 270.

Oliverfan

"Speer has long followed the "old time" standard of using a magnum primer with all ball powders. I have hunted in the nastiest cold I thought existed, and the hottest crap that AZ can dish out. I have yet to have an "issue" using ball powder in any of my guns. Personally in my testing of 760/414 with the 270 Mag primers merely open up the ES."

So you're saying I can use the W760/H414 powders with stadard primers? That would be nice as it would be one less item to keep on hand. Excuse my ignorance, but what is ES? I'm drawing a blank for that abbreviation. The W760/H414 sound like they are pretty insensitive to temperature extremes.



"I've never loaded lightweights in my .270. If you're looking for a practice load, you might google "C.E. Harris The Load". This is a reduced load of 13 grains Red Dot that works in just about any HP rifle case, though cast bullets are preferred."

This looked like an interesting load. Did a little snooping around on the net and I found that it's not recommended for anything under .30 caliber.

Darkker

Yes, use standard primers. I have used them(still do) in everything from my 6.5*300WM, and 264WM down to the 204Ruger.
I ran across the article again a few weeks back, but forget where..... Essentially stated that Fed Magnum primers were specifically designed to light the big Weatherby cases ball powder loads when cold.

E.S. = Extreme Spread. If I'm looking for an accuracy load, one of the things I check is the velocity spread. My 25-06 loaded with Win 760 has a 5-shot ES of 8 fps(feet per sec). WHEN I miss a coyote, it's because I suck.

As far as the temp insensitivity issue:
There is no absolutes. I.E. Varget. Varget has superb insensitivity in the 308 case, but sucks in the 223 case. When the "Extreme" powders are designed to work excellently in AN application. Hodgy won't tell you which cartridge that is.... So folks ASSUME that it just is magic in everything; but not the case.
Win 760 = H414. ANY differences are date tested, or lot variations.
My experiences with 414/760 over the past 15 years mirrors MZ5's. The loads are perfectly fine in the range of Friggen' cold to around 80-85 degrees.
Above that, you MAY(how hot you load) need to back it off. My 243 I back down a grain when temps get above the mid 80's. My 25-06 I only need to come down about 1/2 grain. My 25-06 is quite docile, so I usually just run the lower load year round.

I've been on a 270 hiatus for about a decade, but recently got another.
I developed my hunting load in the 60's(degrees), and retested in the upper 90's. No issues in pressure, or significant velocity changes. But as I say, YOUR loads may vary. So work up accordingly.

Oliverfan

Thank you for you help. 8 fps... that's a small spread in velocity. I will pick up some standard rifle primers this weekend along with some powder. Since I can't make up my mind between W760/H414 and IMR4350/H4350 powders, I'll buy a pound of each and see which the rifle likes the most.

TMan51

If there's a difference between W760 and H-414, I haven't found it in the last few decades. The real difference is which one is on the shelf at the store. Pretty much the same for the 4350's.

If you're lucky, you'll find at least one of each type of powder. Look at a lot of loads, in a lot of manuals, compare burn charts, etc. you will notice that the powders on your list are nearly identical, except for metering.

I keep a lot of H-414 in the powder safe, and have for years. It has been the top powder in 7-08 and .30-06 for accuracy and velocity in several different rifles. If I were making a large bet on the most likely powder to win your accuracy test in a .270, I'd put it on H-4350.

Oliverfan

After spending lots of time comparing load data and manuals, I decided to try the H4350 first. Picked up a pound today so hopefully soon I can work up some loads to try out. Currently have Sierra 90gr HPs, and will grab some 100grs to try out as well.

TMan51

Be sure to share your results.

Over many years, I find that the 4350's look best toward the upper end of the charge range, but tend to drop off at absolute max.

Not much of a problem really, as that 90gr bullet will be zinging along with plenty of speed well before you hit the limit.

Oliverfan

Progress has been slow on this project but today I was able to get out to try some reloads. I used Winchester brass, Winchester large rifle primer, 58gr of H4350, and Sierra 90gr HP bullets. 75 yards was as far back as I could get but at that distance my group was about an inch. I wasn't sure how my rifle would react to these light bullets but was pleasantly suprised. I'm sure the group could have been smaller with a more talented shooter but I think it definately shows promise.

Darkker

H 4350 and IMR 4350 ARE different, similar but different.
Win 760 & H414 Are both made to the same recipie by General Dynamics, in St. Marks, FL

"Winchester" Primers are CCI
"Winchester" brass I'm not sure anymore. They sold that division around 2007, to Global Brass.

Another thing to be aware of is RPM. TNT's have a limit of about 240,000 RPM
MV * 720 / twist = RPM

If you are spinning them below the destruction level, but extremely fast; the accuracy may not be fabulous.

429421Cowboy

I have thought about loading lighter bullets for some of our HP rifles but one of the things that scared me off of that idea is the amount of powder needed for lighter bullets rules it out as a super cheap practice load, i prefer to stick to one load for each rifle. My brother prefers the 130 gr Nosler Accubond in his .270 for everything from elk to coyotes, and my girlfriend likes the 150 Nosler Partion in her .270, taking two elk and one whitetail with three shots last fall.
I do have to say i would be interested to see what a 90 gr bullet doing the speed of heat looks like when it hits a coyote!