I have been reviewing several loading manuals recently and there seems to be a pretty large discrepency between the listed max loads of H-4350 and 150 gr. bullets.

Hodgdon's #26 says 52.0 yields 2870 and 51,400 CUP
Hornady's #6 says 52.3 yields 2800 (no pressure listed)
Speer's #13 says 51.0 yields 2644 (no pressure listed)
Hodgdon's #2 Annual Manual says 49.0 yields 2724 and 51,000 CUP

Other manuals show different values I'm sure, but I believe that over 3 grains difference is significant. Especially when I look closer at the details. The Hornady #6 and Hodgdon #2 Annual Manual say the loads they list are for the exactly same bullet. The Hornady 150 gr. Spire. Yet, their listed max loads are 3.3 grs. apart and the higher listed load (from Hornady) shows up with a shorter tested OAL to boot!

So, what have you guys found to be a realistic max loading of H-4350 under 150's in the 270 Win? I am using CCI 200 primers, which I don't think are as hot as the Win. LR primer Hodgdon and Hornady used.

Thanks Guys for the Help,
Mark in GA

You're not alone on this one. Load data can vary considerably from book to book and it's what keeps this whole thing such a crapshoot.....further it's why we always start low and work up.

Sorry, I usually use H-4831 in the .270 but just wanted to say that this is not unusual to see that kind of data differences in the different manuals.

In your case I'd start at 46 grains and work up.

Loadtech gives 53.9 at 65000psi.

quote:

Originally posted by Mark in GA:The Hornady #6 and Hodgdon #2 Annual Manual say the loads they list are for the exactly same bullet. The Hornady 150 gr. Spire. Yet, their listed max loads are 3.3 grs. apart and the higher listed load (from Hornady) shows up with a shorter tested OAL to boot!

Hornady is notorious for changing (the same) bullets over time, complete with different ogives, bearing surfaces and new cannelure placements. This may have something to do with what you're seeing.

FWIW, I'd recommend something slower (RE-22 or H4831SC) instead of H4350 for the .270 WCF. Just a thought.

RSY

I would also recommend a change to a slower powder for best result under a 150gr bullet. H4831sc, IMR7828ssc, RL22 & H1000 will all give you max. vel. w/ near 100% laod density, usually means top accuracy as well.

The old Hornady loading book, the one with a copyright a few years before 1977, gave 55 gr. of IMR 4350 as the top load with 150 gr. bullets in the .270. That load, however, was much too hot in the Remington 700 .270 I tried it in.

I suppose the point is that one should be wary of top loads, especially from the past and most especially the ones that are a lot greater than those given in other, more recent, loading recommendations.

LE270 this last load you listed is the one I shoot with a 150 grain bullet.My model 70 shoots it ok except when it is 90 degrees out side,
then my primers start showing a bit of pressure.I have after alot of years of loading use 6 or 7 books and take an average of the low and the high and start in the middle and work up from there and never had any problems.
(except when I shot a .227 dia .22hipower thru
my 22-250) that was my fault though.
be careful on these two powders you can use a max charge of H4350 in place of an IMR4350 load but not a max charge of IMR4350 in place of a H4350 charge!There has been alot of HOT loads generated by using the wrong data on these two companies. Me included when I started!!

My most accurate .270 load using 150-grain Nosler Partition bullets and IMR 4350 is 53.5 grains in WW cases with Federal 210 primers. In my Mannlicher Schoenauer .270 carbines with 20" barrels, this load gives 2850 FPS. It would give at least 100 FPS more in a 24" barrel.

I have loaded up to 55 grains of this powder with this bullet, but accuracy went down the tubes, in addition to producing "back-off" pressure indications! I have also used as much as 59 grains of old original surplus H4831 with this bullet, but the 53.5 grains of IMR 4350 load is a lot more accurate for me.

I've been fighting the same problem with RL22 on my .270. The Nosler manual list 56.5 gr behing the 150 gr BT. While the RL22 load manual list 59.5 grains for the same bullet ( interestingly enough they also list the same velocity).

I started at noslers listed min and worked my way up to the RL22 lsited max in 1/2 grain increments. Above the Nosler manual listed max I'm seeing some primer cratering and the first signs of primer flatening. I took the cases to a gunsmith and showed him, he said the cratering is due to a weak firing pin spring commmon in Winchesters, and not pressure. (Remington brass, fed 210m primers, rl22 powder, nosler 150 gr bt)