.270 max loads for 150grn SST H4831 or IMR 4350

[mattri]

Hodgdon says 55grns is max load for a 150grn bullet but I see 60, 61grn loads being used with good results.

For IMR they say 53.5.

Working up a hunting load for the 150grn SSTs, what is the upper limits of either of these powders?

 

[CJ6]

Your rifle will tell you what it's max is. Work up slowly

 

[mattri]

Ok thanks. Work up from where? Looking for what? Working up until what?

 

[CJ6]

Hornady's web site has load info for their bullets as do Nosler and other bullet/powder manufacturers. Powders I use are H-4831, VV N-165 .Their (Hornady's) starting loads are 50.5 (H 4831), 50.9 (VV N165) Max Loads (listed) H 4831 (57.3), VV N165 (57.1). Watch for primer cratering/flatening and base expansion ,Stiff bolt lift these are all signs of excess pressure.

 

[SS427]

Just my opinion, so take it for what it is worth....

61 grains of H4831 is a lot of powder for a 150 grain bullet in a .270 Win. I would never load them that hot; I don't care what the primer looks like or what my gun is telling me. Steel fails over time. Your gun might handle too much pressure for a while, but who knows when your next shot might be your last.

I would use the powder recommendations in the manuals and find the most accurate. If you insist on the extra velocity you get by loading them too hot, you might want to consider stepping up to a .270 WBY, 270 WSM, or change calibers. There are already enough dis-figured people walking around because they tried loading too hot.

 

[mattri]

Otter, you hit the nail right on the head, those kind of problems are exactly what I DON'T want. In the process of working up a load I didn't want to be pushing the envelope too hard, now I know when to start backing off. Thanks again to all who posted.

 

[broncman]

As allready stated, start with bullet/powder manufacturers loads.

Also, besides flattened or cratered primers, look for ejector marks as well. I have a rifle that will show ejector marks before the primers get really flat or crater. I have another rifle that could use a firing pin bushing and craters primers pretty easy.

Work up your load with NEW brass. That way you have a fresh "canvas" to look at. Then you will not be wondering if that mark was from another load or gun.

Ejector mark is usually a shiny spot where the brass started to flow back into the ejector hole.