Powder question from new guy

[spy231]

The only rifle I am going to be loading for is an Encore .270 (by the way, how do I find out the twist rate?)
In another post 4350 was suggested and I am going to pick some up today if that is the general consensus.
Thanks guys!

[Hairtrigger]

The twist rate is easily found by putting the proper brush on the end of your cleaning rod. Mark the rod and pull it through the barrel until it has made exactly one full revolution. Put another mark on the rod and measure the distance between the two marks.
As far as the powder, I usually check the web sites of powder and bullet mfg's  as well as my manuals to come up with the powders I am going to try.

[coyotejoe]

Agreed, you can get a lot of data from the powder makers online, Alliant and Hodgdon both have very good sites. You might still want to invest in at least one good reloading manual, they provide a lot of useful information besides the actual load date. IMR 4350 is a good powder for the .270, perhaps not the very best if your goal is the highest possible velocity with 150 grain bullets, but pretty good.

[Steve in Michigan]

I suggest Hodgdon H4831SC. It's about perfect in a .270. I'd load 130-grainers on top.

Steve

[beemanbeme]

Jack Oconnor swore by 4831 and 270 purist insist on that. However, Jack was shooting milsup 4831 not the modern version.  Your choice of powder is a good one.

[spy231]

I never knew there were so many options.........what have I got myself into   

[Siskiyou]

As I have posted I have burned a lot of the original surplus 4831.  At one time I had an 8-pound jug of it.  Along the way I would also bought 1-pound cans.  I found different lots consistent.  But I did not have a Chrony in those days. 

When the word came out that the surplus supply of 4831 had dried up I was concerned.  A local shopkeeper told me he could get eight pounds of the new Hodgdon H4831 for $32.00.  I bought it.  And developed loads that were consistent with my original surplus 4831. (Jack O’Connor powder)  H4831 is basically grain for grain the same burning rate as surplus 4831 taking in considerate differences between lots.

________________________________________________________________________

**IMR4831 came out in the 70’s a created a lot of confusion, and safety issues.  It burns slightly faster then surplus 4831 and H4831.  IMR4831 cannot be substituted for H4831.
________________________________________________________________________

Last summer I pulled out a box of my reloads from the 1972-3 period.  It was part of a 100-round batch that I had loaded for hunting.  I killed deer with it in Colorado and California.  It consisted of 60 grains of surplus 4831 and a 130-grain Remington Pointed C-L.  I fired in across my Chrony at 6700-foot elevation and obtain an average velocity of 3000 fps from a Savage 22-inch barrel.  From past experience I know this barrel is about 30 fps faster then my Remington with 22-inch barrel.

60-grains of H4831 is the list maximum charge for the 130-grain Hornady in the .270.

Follow copied from the Hodgdon website:

130 GR. HDY SP    130    H4831    .277"    3.180"    56.0    2843    44,400 CUP    60.0C    3019    51,000 CUP          
130 GR. HDY SP    130    Hybrid 100V    .277"    3.180"    51.0    2845    51,000 PSI    56.0C    3066    61,800 PSI          
130 GR. HDY SP    130    H4350    .277"    3.180"    51.0    2865    45,200 CUP    54.3    3012    50,500 CUP          
130 GR. HDY SP    130    H414    .277"    3.180"    50.0    2843    44,700 CUP    53.5    3003    50,800 CUP          
130 GR. HDY SP    130    H380    .277"    3.180"    47.0    2744    46,400 CUP    49.8    2884    51,000 CUP          
130 GR. HDY SP    130    Varget    .277"    3.180"    43.0    2797    43,900 CUP    46.0    2931    49,600 CUP          
130 GR. HDY SP    130    H4895    .277"    3.180"    42.0    2782    44,700 CUP    45.0    2922    51,000 CUP          
130 GR. HDY SP    130    IMR 7828    .277"    3.180"    56.0    2862    43,800 CUP    60.2    3085    50,300 CUP          
130 GR. HDY SP    130    IMR 4831    .277"    3.180"    51.0    2759    42,900 CUP    55.8    3002    50,300 CUP          
130 GR. HDY SP    130    IMR 4350    .277"    3.180"    50.2    2806    43,700 CUP    55.0    3028    49,900 CUP       
You cannot go wrong with IMR 4350 in the .270 Winchester.  A number of friends use it and are very with it.  I have tried it and it worked fine.

[Steve P]

The only rifle I am going to be loading for is an Encore .270 (by the way, how do I find out the twist rate?)
In another post 4350 was suggested and I am going to pick some up today if that is the general consensus.
Thanks guys!

No one came out and specifically said it, but IMR 4350, H4350, and AA4350 ARE NOT THE SAME.  Make sure you use a recipe for the specific powder you pick up. 

Another vote for H4831.

Steve 

[dw06]

No one came out and specifically said it, but IMR 4350, H4350, and AA4350 ARE NOT THE SAME.  Make sure you use a recipe for the specific powder you pick up. 

Another vote for H4831.

Steve 

Very good advice,be sure and use the loading data for the powder you choose.While 4350 is good in 270,if it were me I'd start with H4831,many happy 270s using that one!