Hey guys, I'm getting ready to work up a new load for my rifle and wanted your advice on powder. I'm shooting a Kimber 8400 and want to use this load for a pronghorn hunt in WY. Right now I'm shooting 150gr partitions with IMR 7828 and not getting the groups that would like. I'm going to try 140gr accubonds as 250-300 yrd shots are within reason for this hunt.

I've narrowed my search down to either RL-22 or H4831 in terms of powders, as these seem to get the best reviews. Which ones do you use and what velocities are you getting? I figure around 3,000 fps should meet my needs. Thanks.

I didn't have much luck with reloader 22 and never tried 4831 I had IMR 4350 was doing ok and tried some Magpro and never looked back! I have been wanting to try it in my 7MM SAUM but haven't got around to it yet! Good luck

I had somewhat good luck with Accurate's 3100 and the 140 accubond. 63grains on top of a 215 primer in my super shadow prints around 3/4" MOA and getting around 3100fps. Start a few grains less and work up as this is listed as a max load. No pressure signs in mine though. Good luck. Paul.

Oh yes, I forgot about magpro. I have read great reviews about it. Would definitely be willing to try it out, but I think I would have to mail order it as I haven't seen it carried in any of the stores around here.

This is way different that the loads you are looking at but I took my 270WSM on an antelope hunt last August and had great success with the 110 grain Tipped TSX bullet.

I am shooting a max load of IMR 4350 behind the Tipped version of the Barnes TSX and am getting 3600 fps and great groups. Man, it sure smacked that antelope. I was lucky enough to get within 200 yards of my pronghorn, but this load shoots flat enough to really reach out there.

..................DJ

I've tried H4831SC, RE19, RE22, and settled on IMR4350, 63 gr of 4350 pushing a 130 gr Nosler BT, WLRM primer in WW brass, I'm getting 3250 fps with 3/4 to 1 " groups out of my Ruger with a 22" barrel. Haven't tried Magpro so I can't comment on it.

I use Retumbo with 140gr Accubonds. Just under 3300 ft/s and under 0.4" groups. Great performance at the range and on big game.

Other powders would H1000, WS 780 and as listed MagPro. Winchester uses the WS 780 in their factory ammo for the 270WSM with 140gr AB's.

I can't get either 150 Partitions or 150 Sierra's to group in my Kimber .270 WSM with consistancy. I've tried 9 different powders including including but not limited to Retumbo, Rldr-22, Rldr-17, IMR-7828, and Magpro. I got a 5 shot group touching 1 time with Retumbo and haven't been able to repeat that grouping since. Most guys would consider me anal about my reloading procedures - I even seat bullets exactly to the 0.001" using a competition seater. This rifle will not consistantly produce good groups with a 150 gr. bullet.
I've played a bit with 130 gr. Partitions with IMR-4350 and have gotten indications it might work but I really want to use a 150. I have on order some 130 gr. NorthForks and after it WARMS UP (from -20), I think I'll try them. If they work, I'll use them for my sheep and caribou hunts.
I think I too would look at IMR-4350 with a quality 130 gr. bullet in your .270 WSM. BTW, I've been fighting this thing for about 3 years now. If it won't shoot a 150, go to another bullet weight. Your 130 Partition will work fine but I think a NorthFork is better and more accurate. I use 'em in my.338 WM & they're devestation on moose.
Bear in Fairbanks

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Gotta say I'm leaning towards going with RL-22 after seeing that target! Looks like I will have some other options to try out if RL-22 doesn't suit my rifle though.

Djpaintles, looks like you are using 66.0 grs?

Bear, yeah kinda given up on the 150gr partitions for now. I once got a .75" group at 200 yrds, but otherwise usually getting closer to 1.5" at a 100yrds.

Keep anymore suggestions coming. Thanks guys!

Looks like the RL-22 and Magpro will be filling some of my 300 WSM cases. Hope I can get similar results. My Kimber has been tough to get really good groups with so far.

Let us know how the 270 WSM loads work out.

Bear, is your Kimber a Montana?

quote:

Originally posted by tc98:
Bear, is your Kimber a Montana?

Yes, that POS is a Kimber - never again!!!
Once back to the factory for the forearm touching the barrel. Back in about a week. Kudos to them for that. Still wouldn't group. Off to get worked on down in the Lower-48. Got it back, still wouldn't group even with the exact same factory ammo that was used. Then, back to the Lower-48 again to another smith I trust. New Lilja barrel. Still no consistant grouping. This all with 150 gr. bullets.
I do like all of the featrures of the rifle but I just don't trust it, especially on a long trip into the bush.
Bear in Fairbanks

I've had my best loads with IMR 4350 and H4831SC. Other powders that would work well are w780, RE19. Some guys have rave reviews about Magpro and Retumbo though I have never used them. I'd a just about perfect one load for everything would be the 140 gr Accubond.

Both of my .270 WSM's like RL-22 and Magpro for 130 grain bullets. RL-25 for 140 grain bullets, and RL-22, RL-25, Magpro and IMR-7828 SSC for 150 grain bullets, all ignited by Fed 210M primers. Good shooting.

So I went to Cabelas today and they had RL-22 and H4831 in stock. I couldn't help myself and bought both of them. Not sure when I'm going to make it out to the range again, but I will let you know how things go for me with these two powders.

One thing you might note is that the Magpro loads listed use a std 210 primer. I use Magpro in my Sako since it was the only powder that matched the velocities I got in my Kimbers using RL-22.
Oh and yes I was shooting 66.0grs as written on the targets in WW brass with GM215M primers and the bullet runout adjusted to less than .002..................................DJ

Thanks djpaintles. How far are you seating the bullet off the lands? I'm going to start at 0.010 and work up my powder weight first, but have read some people who have found 0.015 to optimal with the accubonds.

ZBD, I forget exactly how far off the lands IIRC it was .005 or so but I think you are starting off about right. One thing that did seem to make a difference was keeping my runout below .002. They didn't seem to shoot as well when it was higher. I almost shot an even better group at 200 yesterday checking my zero before hunting. As usual I either flinched or missed a wind shift of the 3rd shot, the first two were touching.

BTW, with your screen name I'd guess you have little kids, are they hunting yet? One of mine used to treasure a Zaboomafoo stuffed animal I got for him - they loved the show....................DJ

No little kids of my own yet, but have seen many episodes. Thanks for advice on the seating depth and advice on runout. Too bad about the group yesterday, but isn't that how it always happens!

Bear, Zoboo Dude,

I would suspect the rifle.

Bed the action and re-crown the barrel. Powders aren't probably going to solve the problem and could end up costing $200-$300 that you could pay a gunsmith.

Had a chance to go out to the range, but my session got cut short due to a late start. Started off with 62grs of RL-22 and worked my way up in half grain increments to 64.0 without any signs of excessive pressure. Got my groups down to about 1.75" at 200yrds using 140gr ballistic tips. The chronograph was being difficult again and only measured my first couple of shots, but at 62grs had an average velocity of 2940fps, with a spread of 47fps. This is a big improvement over the 2700fps I was getting with IMR 7828 and 150gr partitions.

I plan on heading out to the range again in the near future to work my loads up some more, but am pleased with the progress so far. Thanks for everyone's help. I'll post some targets once all the testing is done.

I spent quite some time on loads for my W70 in 270 WSM.

- HNDY BTSP 140 grains with 57grains IMR4350 produce 1/2" at 100 yards.

I decided to develop 130 HNDY SST and after trying IMR 4350, RL 19 and H4831SC I got decent results with 58grains of H4831SC pushing 130 grains Hornady bullet to 1 1/8" group @ 100 yards

Little bit discouraged I decided to try 150 grains Hornady SST and using 59 grains of RL19 I made those holes kiss at 100 yards grouping under an inch.

Conclusion: I have good hunting ammo for my Winchester 70 - 130, 140 and 150 grains, but each round uses different propellant. It is very likely I am going to stick with just BTSP 140 - the price and availability even in these trying times make it my favorite and the performance on VA whitetails is excellent.

Hope this is of any help.

I had the best luck with my .270 WSM useing H4831sc and I4350 and 140 grn. Accubonds.

I also had some great groups with a mild recoiling load of 56 grns of H380 and 130 grn Hornady SST bullets.

130gr Accubonds and H4831sc is the load my rifle likes best.