270 WSM load development on the Hammer HUNTER 124 grain .277 diameter bullet. COL: 2.780 inches.
I used Lee SECOND Edition and Hornady Tenth Edition as reference material. I selected H-4350 powder. That is the one powder I had on hand that both books listed both 110 and 130 grain bullet loads so finding the charge weight in between was easy. The basic formula is using the maximum grains listed for the 130-grain bullets and insuring that that charge will not be too heavy on a 110-grain bullet. The Lee Manual lists 61.5 as max on Barnes “X”, 60.5 on JSP 130-gr. A 110-gr JSP lists 63.0 as max.
I tested three charge weights, 58,59 and 60 grains. My criteria was at least 3,100 FPS. I discovered that 58.0 grains of H-4350 averaged 3,077 FPS, 59.0 grains created a 3,237 average and 60.0 grains a slightly lower average of 3,210 FPS. No signs of pressure with any of the test loads. The best group was from the 60 grain charge .253 inches at 100 yards. The 60 grain charge produced a .323 inch group.
I selected to stick with the 59.0 grain charge, this combination will be used on a California Hog Hunt this May so hopefully I have more to report on.
Rifle used is a Kimber “Montana” with Leupold VX-3 2.5-8X.
Denny McDaniels
Duck Creek Sporting Goods.