I'm pretty new to reloading, and this past hunting season was the first time I used hand loads. Powder availability was poor (it still is), and that was the biggest limiting factor for me when I was working up loads. If you and your friend are just starting out, you may be in the same boat. There seem to be many powders that work in a 270, and a handful that excel in the 270.
I was able to get my hands on some Hodgdon Hybrid 100v, and IMR 4064, both of which work, but neither are "go-to" powders for the 270.
I tested the 100v with some hornday 130 grain interlock bullets. Best 5-shot group I could get was 1 5/16 inch.
The IMR4064 with 140 grain hornady sst shot really softly, and grouped better (1.25" groups), but the velocities were only about 2750fps.
I was able to get consistent 1.25 inch groups with occasional 1 inch groups using the 140 grainers with 100v, and velocities were right at 2900 fps. I used this load (53 grains) for hunting this year. I shot a bear, 2 deer, and an elk with this load and had excellent results (all dropped in their tracks except the bear, who ran about 25 yards).
I'd give the Hornady GMX a try if I ever needed to go lead free. It's overall profile is about the same as the SSTs. I've heard they don't expand as reliably as the Barnes.
If I can get my hands on some, I'd like to test IMR4831 and H4350 with 130 grain bullets. I've got some IMR7828 that I plan to try with some 150 grain bullets.