Powder for 375 Ruger 270 Barnes LRX

[generalzip]

Looking to see what powders would give the best velocities and lowest pressures with the Barnes 270 LRX in particular. I have on hand:

Reloader 16 (great in 6.5 CM and temp stable). Have a lot
H4831SC (used it in my old 7mm-300WSM but since sold it)
Varget - No explaination need. Have a decent amount
IMR 4064 (great in my 308) Have a lot
H4895 - One of the best powders I use in 223, 6mm BR/A, 308 you name it. Temp stable and decent supply of it but prefer to keep for other calibers because it's so good in them
Power Pro 2000 - Speer lists crazy high velocities with this. I think I have a keg of it a friend gave me when he got out of reloading.

Of these which would be your go to. There really isnt a ton of info out there on this cartridge or this bullet with less driving bands than the TSX etc so not sure how that will affect pressure (I'd imagine raise pressure slightly). Could be good or bad depending if the powder is faster or slower burning.

Appreciate the help! I plan to bring either this or Hornady 250 CX factory loads to Africa with me depending on which shoots better. Rifle is a Ruger Hawkeye FTW. I will use a Silencerco Hybrid most the time.

 

[Jonathan Kashouty]

Varget and then RL 16. Both work well with my .375 H&H shooting Barnes TSX 250 grain bullets.

 

[pilar]

I use 81gr of 4350 with the 270gr bullet

My message from Barnes
“”.
If wanting to use a powder/bullet we do not have load data listed, you can use "other" (jacketed lead core or monolithic) bullet load data when loading a Barnes Bullet of equal (or close to) weight. Using data from HodgdonReloading.com or other sources/powder/bullet manufacturers. JUST BE SURE TO START AT THE MINIMUM STARTING LOAD and work up from there in half grain increments watching for signs of high pressure such as, a sticky (hard) bolt lift when ejecting the fired case, ejector mark on the case head stamp or flattened/leaky primers. Once you notice any of the high pressure signs then you will want to lower the charge about half a grain or so to where no high pressure signs are present, and that would technically be "YOUR" rifle's max load. The load data published by all of the companies is just a reference point/guideline to safely start out at the minimum charges. The MAX charge solely depends on your rifle's chamber, barrel length, powder lot #, brass case capacity/manufacturer and your environmental conditions. Using a website, loaddata.com’s “THE ULTIMATE RELOADING MANUAL” for the sole purpose of finding specific load data can be a huge time saver.



When loading a Barnes TSX, Tipped TSX or LRX bullet, your rifle may prefer a bullet jump of anywhere between .050” up to .250” or more. This distance off the lands (rifling), aka “jump” may be limited to the rifles throat length, magazine length and bullet length.

When selecting the cartridge overall length (COAL) we recommend starting with a minimum “jump” of .050” off the lands. This is the point where your load development should begin. You can then later test different seating depths and find a “sweet spot” that your particular firearm prefers. We suggest working in at least .025” increments as follows seating the bullet deeper to allow a further jump. Your test plan could look something like this:

1st group- .050” jump
2nd group- .075” jump
3rd group- .100” jump
4th group- .125” jump
5th group- .150“ jump
6th group- * see below

This length can be determined by using a “Stoney Point Gauge” or other methods/tools designed to determine your rifles best COAL. You do not have to seat the bullet at, or on one of the cannelure/pressure relief rings. The pressure relief rings have nothing to do with seating depth; ignore them! Remember, there are many factors that may control or limit the seating depth for your application. You may find that you need to start at around 0.150” off the lands and are not able to get any closer due to limiting factors including proper neck tension and magazine length.

*In rifles that have long throats you may be limited on how close you are able to get the bullet to the lands. In these instances, it is not uncommon to find the best accuracy with a jump of .200” or more.

This jump may possibly stay the same regardless of powder or charge weight within a given rifle. If preferred accuracy is not obtained, we certainly recommend trying another powder, for the powder type and charge greatly affects the overall accuracy of each individual firearm.

FYI- An accurate load requires a bullet with the proper consistent case neck tension which leads to more constant pressures and velocities.

Hodgdon and Hornady both have 270 gr “lead core” data but if both the above two processes are used you will have a fine reload developed before too long. As for the 235 gr TSX bullet use the 250 gr SFT AF bullet load data on the Hodgdon website. https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/?t=1 Remember to start low and work up.



Thank You

Alan Griffith | Consumer Service
Barnes Bullets

 

[RLL]

I’ve used RL15, 15.5, Varget, and RL16.

Varget and RL15 are my preferred at 70 grains or so to get around 2700fps in my Ruger Hawkeye. I stopped using Barnes a few years ago and use mostly Hammers and CEB raptors. I get more speed with the same load from the 270 hammers. CFE223 is great with that bullet at well.

 

[Letzhunt]

I'm sure you will find one of your powders to work well. if for some reason they are not the right burn rate try Ramshot Big Game. it works very well for my 375 Ruger

 

[ldmay375]

I have been using H380 from Barnes reloading book / and online info, for the 270 grain TSX and LRX. My COL is a bit longer than theirs. I get ~ 2720 fps from a 20" barrel.

The Speer #15 Manual list RL 16 with their 270 & 285 grain bullets. Of course, one would have to proceed with due caution as to extrapolating data to the 270 LRX regarding bullet length, ogive location, bearing surface, etc.

 

[generalzip]

I have been using H380 from Barnes reloading book / and online info, for the 270 grain TSX and LRX. My COL is a bit longer than theirs. I get ~ 2720 fps from a 20" barrel.

The Speer #15 Manual list RL 16 with their 270 & 285 grain bullets. Of course, one would have to proceed with due caution as to extrapolating data to the 270 LRX regarding bullet length, ogive location, bearing surface, etc.

Yea RL16 seems to get crazy high velocities and its a temp stable powder. I have a feeling all loads will be compressed however as it's not very dense and I suspect you will fill the case before getting to good velocities with these longer bullets. I'll try loading to Max COAL 3.34" and see how it goes. A compressed load might not be a bad thing in a 375 Ruger as you might be able to get away without crimping with the powder as support. However you may have to worry about the bullet coming out if compressed too much and possible hangfires.

 

[ldmay375]

It has been maybe a year since I loaded the LRX 375 Ruger. I don't recall, but guessing with the H380 and my slightly longer COL I am compressed some. I use a Lee Factory Crimp, regardless of groove location. Though, I do not recall my loads being a rememberable compression event.

I would say that I have compressed the hell out of some cartridges and powders, with what I consider a light crimp so far bullet crimp nor ignition has not been an issue. Probably several factors can sway the outcome, individual mileage can vary.

With the ogive location of the bullet, depending on your rifle's throat and magazine length, you may find it easy to exceed the published maximum COL.
I definitely make sure that I have bullet jump prior to rifling contact, but the few 375 Rugers that I load for a bit longer COL has not been an issue.

 

[generalzip]

It has been maybe a year since I loaded the LRX 375 Ruger. I don't recall, but guessing with the H380 and my slightly longer COL I am compressed some. I use a Lee Factory Crimp, regardless of groove location. Though, I do not recall my loads being a rememberable compression event.

I would say that I have compressed the hell out of some cartridges and powders, with what I consider a light crimp so far bullet crimp nor ignition has not been an issue. Probably several factors can sway the outcome, individual mileage can vary.

With the ogive location of the bullet, depending on your rifle's throat and magazine length, you may find it easy to exceed the published maximum COL.
I definitely make sure that I have bullet jump prior to rifling contact, but the few 375 Rugers that I load for a bit longer COL has not been an issue.

I bought a hornady modified case to measure to the lands. Seems from others these bullet like a lot of jump so i hope I have a long enough throat in the Ruger Hawkeye

 

[mooze]

I’ve used RL15, 15.5, Varget, and RL16.

Varget and RL15 are my preferred at 70 grains or so to get around 2700fps in my Ruger Hawkeye. I stopped using Barnes a few years ago and use mostly Hammers and CEB raptors. I get more speed with the same load from the 270 hammers. CFE223 is great with that bullet at well.

loading for a 9.3x375 Ruger, H100v, CFE223 and 6.5 Stball are fastest and most consistent for 250 gr bullets. I don't think H4350 and Varget are "worse" , just a tad slower

 

[generalzip]

I think based on the data I've seen I will start with reloader 16. It's temp stable and very good velocity based on Speer load data. I will aim around 2800fps and see how it groups if bad I'll adjust seating depth significantly to see if that changes anything. If still shitty groups I'll move to Power Pro 2000MR and repeat. If still no success then Varget.

About a decade of reloading has taught me not to waste my time trying to fine tune charge weights and seating depths. If an ammo combo and rifle system shoot 2.5"-3" I don't care how much you change charge weight and seating depth. You won't every get .5"-1" groups with that combo. Best thing to do is change a large variable. Generally bullet, but since I'm limiting myself to the 270 LRX, next best is changing powder. Luckily the 375 Ruger can use a pretty good range of popular and available powders out there. I'kk report back with my findings to hopefully benefit others.

 

[Ndczerwinski]

I have gotten great loads with H4350 and StaBall 6.5. I shoot 270 gr TSX. I get 2800 fps out of both and MoA groups. My barrel is 21”.

 

[generalzip]

I have gotten great loads with H4350 and StaBall 6.5. I shoot 270 gr TSX. I get 2800 fps out of both and MoA groups. My barrel is 21”.

Unfortunately I don't have either of those powders. Thanks for the info though!