hodgden superformance powder

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looking for some opinions about this powder.
I am trying to figure out why it is listed in the manuals for a 30/06, but not a 270. also listed for smaller weight bullets in 243, but not the heavier bullets. looking at a burn rate chart( a few of them!!), it is listed as being on the slower side of the powders i have been using in my 270 with no issues.
I am well aware of the thought that if it’s not in the manuals, it will kill you, but let’s ignore that. I’ve been reloading for a long time and have a decent amount of knowledge i like to think!!
Is there any other reason why I couldn’t work up a load with the chrony, watching for pressure signs obviously, and use it in my 270?
I have heard it wasn’t used in some cartridges because it didn’t provide the stated benefits, but I’m not looking for extreme speed. I have 8 lbs Of it and figured i’d try and use it. would be with 140/150gr in 270, and 90/100 gr bullets in the 243.
 
Just because one source doesn't list it, doesn't mean it can't be used in it. It one hundred percent works for the 270, and with heavier 243 bullets.

I haven't had the best of luck with it. But it does start performing very well once it's close to max load. I guess the progressive burning properties of the powder really start to work then. I have had great success with it in my 300WSM and 130 grain Speer hollow points. Just don't shoot that load at a hundred yards at AR500, it zips right through it.
 
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OP, Superformance may not be listed in your manual as a preferred or even suitable powder for all sorts of good reasons.

Depending on your manual, when it was printed, who did the testing, and which powders they were promoting when compiling the information from their testing.

Some manuals have obvious biases towards some brands of powder. I don't know, but maybe powder manufacturers/distributors donate powder and information for the testing, or they pay for part of the testing?

If you have Superformance on hand, it's an excellent powder for the 270 Winchester and about 3% slower than H4831ssc, so any loads listed for H4831ssc will be safe in the 270 Winchester.

I won't give you the load I use for my Remington 700, chambered for the 270 win, because it's HOT.

270 Win loads are purposely kept around 50,000 cup in deference to some of the firearms it's chambered in.

In strong bolt action rifles, it's safely capable of higher pressures, but this is just IMHO, and you should use your personal discretion

I like Superformance with bullet weights of 130 grains and higher, because I can get more powder into the case without compressing it, and get higher velocities, with good accuracy. I suggest you use magnum primers for best consistency.

Do not exceed the load in your manual if you have a pump action rifle. Some say not to use it with semi auto rifles, but again, it would depend on the rifle type.

I've seen Model 95 Mausers chambered for the 270 Win, which is pushing the envelope for pressures any higher than those listed in most manuals.

I've also seen M96 type, commercial actions chambered for the 270 Win, and there don't seem to be any safety issues, but they're made in Europe, where the onus is on the user of the rifle to know what it will handle as far as pressures goes, and the rifles are built to safely handle CIP pressure ratings suitable for the cartridge.
 
thx everyone. that’s pretty much what I was thinking, but when i searched, there wasn’t much info, but a lot of don’t use it if it’s not in the manuals. i’ll start low and work up, and see how it goes.
 
Superformance is slower than H4831, look it up on the burn rate charts.

H4831 recipes will be safe in your rifle, even if it's a pump action or semi auto.

Components are expensive and sometimes difficult to find these days. Take an easy and safe shortcut, to a load your rifle likes, by using H4831 data. If you can't handle that, use IMR4831 which is faster burning than either H4831, or Superformance.

H4831 has been a "constant" powder for the 270 Winchester from the mid fifties to now. It's always given acceptable accuracy and good velocities.

What better place to start?
 
I load Superformance in a couple 270 Wins. 3150 fps with 140 grain Sierra Game Changers. 22” barrels in both instances; a M70 Featherweight, and Cabellas Anniversary Featherweight Supergrade.

A load I’ve used for awhile now in 30-06 takes one of my 30-06s up to 3180 fps with 165 grain Game Changers and Superformance. It’s got a 26” Benchmark barrel. A friend nicknamed it my 30-23 because it sure isn’t your great grandfathers ‘06 anymore. All velocities are from my Garmin and 600 yard tests bear them out.
 
bearhunter said:
Superformance is slower than H4831, look it up on the burn rate charts.
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Burn rate charts are something to look at to get in the ball park. It doesn't tell you how the powders burn rate drastically changes in different cartridges, or under pressure. It doesn't account for any progressive burn characteristics at all.

Superformance for example works great in the 6.5 creedmoor with fairly light for caliber bullets. Where are H4831 regular and short cut, only work well with heavier bullets. Another great example is reloder 26. It's burn rate varies significantly how it is loaded. On the chart it's slower than Magpro, and N170, it's right beside H1000 for burn rate. Yet it works perfectly in cartridge and bullet combinations you could not use those powders in. Unless you don't mind alot of barrel fouling, and very poor speed, because of all the unburnt powder.

I can load RL-26, and Superformance into cases that H4350 is almost too slow for, and they work great, with top speed. 338RCM, and 375 Ruger for example. So the burn rate chart will get you in the ball park. But some powders pretty far down on the list, and the other way as well, work for cartridges they are "too fast" or "too slow" in.

Accurate 5744 is a great example of a powder that is really fast burn speed, but works quite well in cartridges that require slower powders. I find H322 to be like that as well.
 
I’ve found very mixed results accuracy-wise with Superformance. When it works it can be great though. Magnum primers and hot loads help, which is pretty much the case with slower burning ball powders in general.
 
Denver Steve said:
Burn rate charts are something to look at to get in the ball park. It doesn't tell you how the powders burn rate drastically changes in different cartridges, or under pressure. It doesn't account for any progressive burn characteristics at all.

Superformance for example works great in the 6.5 creedmoor with fairly light for caliber bullets. Where are H4831 regular and short cut, only work well with heavier bullets. Another great example is reloder 26. It's burn rate varies significantly how it is loaded. On the chart it's slower than Magpro, and N170, it's right beside H1000 for burn rate. Yet it works perfectly in cartridge and bullet combinations you could not use those powders in. Unless you don't mind alot of barrel fouling, and very poor speed, because of all the unburnt powder.

I can load RL-26, and Superformance into cases that H4350 is almost too slow for, and they work great, with top speed. 338RCM, and 375 Ruger for example. So the burn rate chart will get you in the ball park. But some powders pretty far down on the list, and the other way as well, work for cartridges they are "too fast" or "too slow" in.

Accurate 5744 is a great example of a powder that is really fast burn speed, but works quite well in cartridges that require slower powders. I find H322 to be like that as well.
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I agree, but if I hadn't already used Superformance in the 270Win, to give the OP hands on experience, I wouldn't have given him the information.

I only gave him the info, as a place to start. If he chooses to use it, that's up to him.

Modern "cannister grade" powders have very consistent burn rates between lots. Not much to worry about there.

Superformance was purposely designed to be as slow as the slowest lots of H4831, which just happened to be H4831ssc.
 
Dogleg said:
I load Superformance in a couple 270 Wins. 3150 fps with 140 grain Sierra Game Changers. 22” barrels in both instances; a M70 Featherweight, and Cabellas Anniversary Featherweight Supergrade.

A load I’ve used for awhile now in 30-06 takes one of my 30-06s up to 3180 fps with 165 grain Game Changers and Superformance. It’s got a 26” Benchmark barrel. A friend nicknamed it my 30-23 because it sure isn’t your great grandfathers ‘06 anymore. All velocities are from my Garmin and 600 yard tests bear them out.
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3180 FPS from a 30-06 with a 165 is CERTAINLY getting ER Done 🤪 even with a 26 “ barrel .
I ve got to 3075 FPS with other powders in a 24 “ But another 100 fps is Well into 300 Mag speed !
Will you Share how much SuperFormance it takes to get there in YOUR RIFLE for interest sake ? 🤷‍♂️😀
 
remington jim said:
Newest 2024 powder burn rate chart shows it faster then H4831 ! 🤷‍♂️ next to Staball 6.5 ! It’s #139 on this 2024 Chart

https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-cont...mokeless-Relative-Burn-Rate-Chart-WEBSITE.pdf
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My chart shows from fastest to slowest H4350, Hybrid 100V, H4831, H4831sc, H4831scc, Superformance.

The information I gave about being designed to be slightly slower than H4831scc was written about when Superformance was first put onto the market, for civilian hand loaders. It was touted as being more versatile, while giving similar or better results in all cases with enough capacity to utilize it.

That was just over 12? years ago. It may have changed since.

The last keg I purchased, just before Covid, was identical in appearance and velocities when the same powder charges are used.

Others may have different results. I use it for the 270win/280rem/30-06.
 
remington jim said:
Your CHART is OLD like you and it’s since being updated - Unlike you ! 🤪😂🤣
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You're right, I went back online to check the charts and the opening page shows the chart I've been using for over a decade, but when I clicked onto it, a new chart, several pages long, came up showing modern Superformance being slightly slower to H100V.
 
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