In the past I've used IMR and Hodgdon 4831 and IMR and Hodgdon 4350 in my .270 Winchester. These powders gave good accuracy, especially with 150 grain bullets, but I've never been able to get the velocities I'd like from them in my rifle, escpecially with 150 grain bullets -- I wanted to get 3000 f.p.s., but all I was able to get was about 100 f.p.s. less than that with the 4831s, and 200 f.p.s. less with the 4350s. My rifle is a Remington 700 Mountain Rifle with a 22 inch barrel. I had concluded that it has a slow barrel, and that I should be satisfied with those velocities.

But recently I began trying RL 22 powder in thie rifle, and I've been very pleasantly surprised. I got 3000+ f.p.s. with two different 150 grain bullets. Here are the loads:

150 grain Speer softpoint, moly coated (by me)
60.3 gr. RL 22
Winchester case, WLR primer
3.35 in. overall length
Crimped with Lee Factory Crimp Die
Velocities: 3042 to 3071 f.p.s.

150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, moly coated (by me)
60.3 gr. RL 22
Winchester Case, WLR primer
3.35 in. overall length
Crimped with Lee Factory Crimp Die
Velocity: 3030 f.p.s.

LE270, I be a bit leery with those loads. Nosler lists 56.5gr of R22 and Speer 54.0 under a 150gr bullet in their new manuals.
Noslers vel is 2902 from a 24" test bbl and Speer claims 2769 from a 22" Ruger.
I`m sure there is a "lawyer" factor figured in their data but 4-6grs over book with 100-300fps extra vel sounds a bit hot.

just MHO...............

I've talked with ballisticians from Nosler and Sierra who probably wouldn't put this in print, but say none the less that you need to look at three signs when determining pressure; brass flow, bolt lift and primer flatening or cratering, in that order. They both said looking at the primer is the least reliable indicator. Brass flow is the surest sign that you've gone above 70,000 psi, which they say is safe in a modern bolt action. If your bolt isn't tight, and you can't see brass flow, chances are you're safe.

I shoot a 270 a bunch--the 150 bullet with R22 is what I use for most all-am gonna give the 140 Accu a try this week though.

Anyway a lot of things are possible out there but from the rifles I've worked with 60 of 22 with a 150 would be punching primers and or freezing the bolt. Are you sure your scale is right? Have you tried this with more than one lot? Personaly it sounds way over the edge to me.

Just my thoughts

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

The only thing I would change with this load is the Primer, seems all Reloader Powder loves Federal Gold Medal Match Primers......GM210M in the 270 Win.

You are way over max if that's a 22" or 24" barrel.

RL-22 is a great powder for the .270 but just because you think you "should" get 3000 fps doesn't mean you can do so safely. I don't see any of the manuals listing more than 2900 fps. Alliant does list 59.5 gr. but they only get 2845 fps, and presumably that's out of a tight-chambered pressure gun.

Also, you may not have traditional "signs" if you have a smooth chamber, locking lugs, etc. John Barsness had a piece in Handloader where he had several of his loads pressure-tested on modern equipment and found a .270 load he'd used for years was over 70,000 fps but had never given him a single sign of pressure.

Be careful out there!

John

I've been using RL-22 in the .270 for many years and anything over 58.5grs with a 150gr. bullet is pushing the limit.

Barnes 130 gr X bullet, 59 gr of RL22. Little bug size groups, 3000 fps velocity. - Dan

Why did you want to get 3000+ fps with a 150 in your 270?

I use 58.5gr's of RL-22 and a 150gr Nosler all the time, does a little over 3000fps, and the pressure seems very mild in my M98.

The last 3 270's I've worked with have all done 3000 with the 150 and the 22" tube using R22.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

This is kind of related since it was mentioned in this thread. What is "brass flow" when looking for pressure signs? Just curious. I might call it something different or it is possible I've never heard of it. Can some explain and give an example. Thanks

When the pressure gets too high, the brass will flow into the ejector slot cut into the bolt and show up as a mark on the case head. (where it says .270 Win etc.) These loads are probably fine, but I'd mike the case head and stop when expansion is over .001". Everyone's rifles are different. On another post several people said me and a couple of others were going to lose our eyes, etc. loading 7x57 140 gr Noslers to 3000 fps with 53.5 gr H414. If any of these people has a device that can determine a safe load from 800 miles away, I'd like to have one. I've shot enough of these myself to know better. I've also shot 60 gr RL22 in a .270 with 140 grain, but not 150's. some of the doubters need to take a dummy case load it up and check to see how much water it holds with a bullet seated, then seat it .080 farther out and see how much more it holds. The effect of a slightly longer throat is significant and is a large part of the difference between velocities from gun to gun. I also raced a few drag cars and constantly had some all-knowing individual tell me I was running too lean, etc. engine would grenade etc. without having all the information needed to make a proper decision. Reloading as in racing is in putting together a proper combination that works with the parts you have assembled, not theory, what someone else told you , or anything else. Work up loads by using pressure indicators, mostly a mike, just as with a race engine, the clock will tell you when things are right.

For my 270 I get the folowing

57.5 gr and 130 NBT = 3110
56.5 gr and 140 HSBBT = 3000
56 gr and 150 NBT = 2930
55 gr and 160 NP = 2850

My rifle is tight - and any loads higher than this and the primer pockets loosen up - pushing a 150 gr 270 bullet over 3000 is pressing it - a 30-06 (same case) can't hardly do it(most don't) with a 150 gr bullet - which is technically easier. All primers are WLR and compared to SC4831, RL19 and 4350 RL22 is the most accurate and obtains the highest velocity.

Also - 24" barrel