SmallCaliberCentral

I am reloading for 270 WSM with Reloader 22 powder. My measured velocities are quite different than what is published in my Speer Reloader Manual #14.

130 g Nosler BT bullet;
Min charge 62 gr should have a veloctiy around 3096 fps
Max charge 66 gr should have a veloctiy around 3228 fps

My load is 65.8 gr, measured velocity of 3081 fps on a 5 shot average. I am reloading with Fed 215 primer

Another load I have developed is with 150 gr Nosler Partitions
Min charge 57.0 gr = 2839 fps
Max charge 61.0 gr = 3009 fps from the manual.

My load is 63.0 gr = 2971 fps, 5 shot average. With this I am over max load but the Vel is less than 3009 fps. No primer or case issues seen. Fed 215 primers.

The chrono was set 10 ft from the muzzle.

I also shot Federal PowerShok to compare with. The published vel on the box is 3250 fps and my 5 shot average was 3228 fps.

The gun is a Savage Weather Warrior 24" SS barrel.

The powder was purchased in Jan 2010 and stored in a cool dry environment.

Any idea why I have to burn more RL 22 then the Manual recommends to get the expected velocities?

Thanks

RL22 is a very slow powder, and it appears you got a slow lot, hence the slower velocities in your test. You may want to try a slightly faster powder like RL19 or equiv.

Other things that come into play are;

- Elevation
- Barometric Pressure
- Temperature
- Light (intensity and angle)


- Chronograph
- Distance to muzzle
- Any muzzle blast effecting the chronograph

as well as the firearm and the ammunition itself. You can go to jbmballistics.com and plug in all the pertinent info with these velocities and I believe you'll find it doesn't make that much difference.

HTH,