Please note that this article looks at research and testing done by a variety of sources. Extreme caution should be taken when creating loads that go against accepted load data. This article looks at theory and our experience, and should not be considered recommendations about primers for the 270 Winchester. When developing a new load for your 270 Winchester, or any caliber, you should start with smaller amounts of powder and pressure and work up gradually.
About the 270 Winchester
The .270 Winchester cartridge is a rifle cartridge that was introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1925. It is based on the .30-06 Springfield cartridge and uses a .277 inch diameter bullet. The cartridge is commonly used for hunting medium-sized game such as deer and elk, and is known for its accuracy, flat trajectory, and moderate recoil. It is typically loaded with bullets weighing between 130 and 150 grains, with the most common weight being 140 grains. The cartridge has a reputation for good performance at long ranges and is popular among hunters and long-range shooters.
The .270 Winchester cartridge is a versatile and widely used cartridge for hunting and long-range shooting. Choosing the right primer size for this cartridge is essential to ensure consistent ignition, accurate shooting, and optimal performance. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the different primer sizes available for the .270 Winchester and their effects on pressure, velocity, and accuracy. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just starting out, this post will provide valuable information on primer selection for the .270 Winchester. Whether you’re looking to maximize accuracy, achieve a specific velocity, or simply maintain reliable ignition, understanding primer size is an important aspect of handloading this cartridge.
What Size Primer for 270 Winchester
The 270 Winchester cartridge uses a large rifle primer. This is standard primer size used for many calibers using a larger cartridge and a moderate amount of powder. Most all reloading manuals list the large rifle primer. I always like to check 2 or 3 manuals when doing load development for a new load. Some people do experiment though with other primers.
Lee Precision Reloading Manual
Using Large Rifle Magnum Primers for 270 Winchester
Especially when there’s a primer shortage, people often wonder if they can use other primers in their reloading. More than any other question about 270 Winchester reloading, I get asked if you can use large rifle magnum primers for 270 Winchester.
I’m going to reemphasize, standard large rifle primers are recommended for the 270 Winchester cartridge, as they are designed to ignite the powder charge in cartridges with case capacities and pressure similar to the 270 Winchester. It’s important to always use the correct primer size and type for the cartridge you are loading to ensure safe and reliable performance. It is recommended that you always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and industry standards when reloading any cartridge. That said, many people have experimented with magnum primers, and some have even found some success.
Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading
Magnum primers are designed to ignite the powder charge in cartridges with larger case capacities and higher pressure than standard cartridges. They have a hotter and longer lasting flame which helps to ignite the slower burning powders used in magnum cartridges. However, the 270 Winchester cartridge is not considered a magnum cartridge and it uses standard powders, and using magnum primers can result in higher pressure and potentially dangerous situations. If you want to experiment with magnum primers, start with a smaller load, and work up safely and carefully, watching for signs of danger and pressure. You are literally playing with fire, so be EXTRA careful.
Can I Use Large Pistol Primers in the 270 Winchester?
No. You cannot and should not even try to use large pistol primers in the 270 Winchester. Large rifle and large pistol primers are not the same dimensions. A large pistol primer is a little smaller. A small pistol and small rifle primer are the same dimensions, and there is a little bit more capacity for experimentation (and some people do with 9mm primers and 223 primers). Not so with large rifle and large pistol. Your firing pin won’t be spaced to strike consistently, to say nothing of the pressure problems. The 270 Winchester uses a lot of pressure and powder. Don’t try it. The same goes for large pistol magnum primers. It’s not remotely safe or compatible. Don’t do it.
Possible Primers to Use in 270 Winchester
- CCI 200 Large Rifle
- CCI BR2 Match
- Federal 210 Large Rifle
- Federal 210M Match Large Rifle
- Winchester WLR
- Fiocchi Large Rifle Primer
- Norma Superflash LR
- Remington 9 1/2 LR
- Sellier and Bellot Large Rifle
Possible Magnum Primers to Experiment With for 270 Winchester
- Federal 215M Magnum Match
- Federal 215
- Remington 9 1/2 Magnum
- CCI 250 Magnum
About Primers
The primer is the small, cylindrical component that sits in the base of the cartridge and contains a small amount of an impact-sensitive explosive mixture. When the rifle’s firing pin strikes the primer, it ignites the mixture, which in turn ignites the powder in the cartridge and propels the bullet out of the barrel. The primer is an essential component of the cartridge and is responsible for initiating the firing sequence.
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