Handloads: .270 Winchester

posted on November 4, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
270win.jpg

Always searching for a step up in performance, I couldn’t help but notice that the Alliant Powder Reloader’s Guide (alliantpowder.com) lists some impressive velocities for the .270 Win. firing 150-gr. bullets handloaded using Reloder 26—Nosler Partitions, Sierra GameKings and Speer BTSP 150-gr. bullets managing slightly more than 3000 f.p.s.

Since only maximum propellant weights are provided, start reloading at least 5 percent below the listed numbers. From the 24" barrel of a Mossberg Patriot Revere, Nosler 150-gr. Partitions reached 3042 f.p.s. The guide lists 60.8 grs. as maximum, but the 60.5-gr. load was too hot for another .270, resulting in flattened primers and stiff bolt lift.

Reloder 26 is manufactured with Extruded Impregnated (EI) technology that produces several advantages over other propellants. One is “extremely high velocities in magnum cartridges.” While the .270 does not wear a magnum label, Reloder 26 fired 150-gr. Partitions a good 100 f.p.s. faster than other propellants I’ve tried over the years. EI technology also produces consistent velocities despite temperature extremes. Reloder 26 loads resulted in velocity spreads of 18 f.p.s. with nine Partitions. The Mossberg .270 fired three-shot groups at 100 yds. that measured 0.39" to 1.50", with a 1.10" average for five groups.

Reloder 26’s cylindrical kernels do fail to meter precise weights from a powder measure; however, dispensing it a few grains below intended weight and dribbling in the last few kernels with a trickler is faster than reading this final sentence.

Latest

Armscor Tm22 S 18 Gotw F
Armscor Tm22 S 18 Gotw F

Gun Of The Week: Armscor TM22-S-18

We're on the range in this video to get a closer look at an affordable plinker imported by Armscor. Whether you’re training on a budget or just want a rimfire for plinking, the TM22 is a proven platform worth investigating.

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 22, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Winter Warrior: The Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 LMG

A little-known light machine gun from the inter-war era, the Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 garnered a poor reputation during its service in World War II, but a closer look and some context reveals how innovative it was for its time.

Federal Ammunition Honored By National 4-H Shooting Sports

Federal Ammunition was recently honored with the 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals or companies that have made significant contributions to the 4-H Shooting Sports program at a national level.

I Have This Old Gun: Polish Vis 35 Radom

One of the lesser-known designs from the 1930s, the Vis 35 Radom is widely considered to be one of the best of the pre-World War II handguns.

Rifleman Q&A: Colt 1860 12-Notch Conversion

"At a gun show, I saw a Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion with 12 cylinder notches instead of the usual six. The dealer was not sure whether this was original to the gun. Were these extra notches a factory variation or just some frontier gunsmith’s backroom project?"

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.