.270-what loads require mag. primers

[don]

I am getting some variations-20to30fps with my current .270 loads.
my load is 58gr of winchester wxr powder under a 110gr bullet.?Would magnum primers help.I suspect that all of the powder is not being ignited. rifle is .270 with a 24in. barrel. 58/110 is a mild load with this powder.

 

[Poodleshooter]

I don't think you need magnum primers for the .270.
If 20-30 fps are your extreme spread of velocity, those variations aren't that bad in a rifle cartridge. I see way more than that with factory ammo.
IMHO, no load, even with ball powder, in a 30/06 class cartridge needs magnum primers for proper ignition. I save mine for belted magnums where the powder charge exceeds 70grs.
You could probably get slightly better results with W760, as WXR is a little slow for that light bullet.

 

[don]

.270-magnum primers

Thanks poodleshooter.WW760 is a bit faster than wxr. I am getting good groups -about 1moa. the velocity is 3030 to 3050fps. The low figure may be due to improper primer seating -I seated it with my thumb ,not a normal practice. I am thinking about using H414 if I want to get hot loads : I can get 3323fps with 57gr. That is the max load listed by Richard Lee's Modern Reloading.

 

[Zak Smith]

My experience in 243 and 308 indicates that using magnum primers with ball powders is a good idea.

-z

 

[don]

.270 when to use mag primers

Zak, I agree but wxr is an extruded powder my concern is that it is very close to filling the case at 58 gr. I was concerned that the powder wasn't being burned in the barrel. I agree with using mag primers with W.W. ball powders.Winchester no longer makes the 780 ball powder which was my favorite and with which I used mag. primers. Winchester doesn't recommend mag. primers in any of their rifle loads regardless of whether or not the powder is extruded or ball. Other reliable sources say to use the mag. primers with all of W.W.ball powders but wxr hasn't been on the market long enough to be in a manual ---I think.

 

[Zak Smith]

Using W760 in 243 at near max loads, and W748 in 308 in light loads, I get spotty, delayed ignition. It's fixed with magnum primers.

I've since switched to all extruded powders (VV, IMR).

-z

 

[critter]

I would suggest you try a sample of your loads with mag primers. You might get some surprises. I was loading IMR 4350 (a rather slow powder) in a .300 win mag. Got pretty good groups. Tried mag primers and cut the groups by more than half!

Slow powders, large quantities of powder, cases full of powder with small calibers often respond well to mag primers. Give 'em a try to see as EACH gun/load has a mind of its own! Good luck.

 

[don]

270--mag primers

Critter, you have answered my question. I was concerned about the safety aspect but if you have used mag primers with IMR4350 I should be safe with WXR it is slower and the case is very near to full.Thanks.

 

[jdkelly]

Remember to back off on the powder!

Don,

If you are at the higher pressure end of the that load, it might be smart to back off on the powder before you change to magnum primers. Or so I think anyway.


Respectfully,

jdkelly

 

[don]

270-mag. primers

JDkelly, good advice. My load is on the mild side.My manual lists 58.9gr. of wxr as a max load for a 130gr. bullet, winchester lists 58gr.of wxr for the same bullet. I am using 58gr under a 110gr bullet so I have not seen any signs of abnormal pressure but I will heed your advice and back off a bit. I appreciate the input.

 

[GooseGestapo]

don,
A magnum primer probably won't help with the 110gr load. The max for that load is because thats how much powder you can get in the case!

Your ~30fps is actually a good spread for a .270. However, I normally see the velocity you're getting with the 110gr bullet with a 130gr bullet.

I had good luck with the .270 using IMR4064 and IMR4320 with 110gr bullets back in the '70's when I was tinkering with the .270. Didn't have a chrono back then, so can't comment on velocities. According to the manuals though, they were running 3,200 to 3,300. Trajectory was about right for those velocity levels.

Ditto, what others said about magnum primers. I've mostly used the Winchester LRP, and Federal 210 primers. Either of these are sufficient except for the STW, Weatherby, and Rem.Ultra mag. cases. For those, I would use the Federal #215.

I've never seen a problem with using a magnum primer either. Sometimes, depending on lot #'s, they are the cats "meow", especially with the spherical powders regardless of case capacity.