12Fv 22.250 handload help

If anyone can help to ease my mind my next trip to the range will be more relaxing. I just got a chance to test my 12fv 22.250 handloads. While working my way up at 39.3grns of h380 I started to see bolt face marks on the case head. I would like to go up to 40.2 but am a little nervous. I have cases that I have once fired since factory trimmed to 1.902 and neck sized. I seated the bullet to 2.350 with fed 210 primers 55grn v-max. 39.3 has the best group but I would like to go higher just to be sure. Thanks

Well, if you are seeing pressure signs that is the first clue to stop IMO. Maybe stop at 39 and mess with seating depth some to see if you can improve that. Just remember, H380 is very temperature sensitive so the hotter it gets the more pressure you're gonna have out of those loads.

The same 39gr load out of mine would shoot great, but if I was sitting in the sun shooting and didnt keep the ammo box covered I would gain pressure. Shots a tad higher and either bolthead marks on the brass or slightly flattened primers. Im in the process of switching mine over to RL15 or Varget.

Hodgdon recommends a MAX load of 41grns of H380
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load_1.asp
BUT if you are getting pressures that will cause imprints on the brass, you've already gone too far. Something is not right. Check the bullet weight. Check the powder....are you sure it's 380 and not 414 or BL-C? Check the powder weight...are you weighing each load? What is the OAL of the cartridge.....are you jamming the lands.

Whatever the problem, do not push it any farther.

uj

Will have to agree with the other two. If you're getting ejector marks on the case head, you're already over on pressure. One big thing to remember is that reloading manuals/data are a guideline....due to the huge variances of components, barrels, twist rates, and on and on, there's no way Hodgdon or anyone else can give you an absolute figure.

I'll bet the data you're using was developed in a 14 twist barrel....your Savage is a 12 twist which will generate pressure faster with the same weight bullet.

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Just remember, H380 is very temperature sensitive so the hotter it gets the more pressure you're gonna have out of those loads.

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I stopped using H380 for the same reason. All my 22-250 hunting loads get R-15 now.

Thanks for the help. Is RL-15 an extruded powder?

yup



Hutch :)

+1 on the RL-15. I was using Varget behind 55gr Sierra Spitzers, but when Varget got real scarce around here I got some advice to switch to RL-15. I personally love it. The Varget was real good but the RL-15 is easier to find, shoots great, and is about $3 per lb. cheaper. I am also shooting a 12FV with a 12 twist and the following load gets me an average of 1.25" groups at 330yds. I know I can do better than 1.25" average but I think its the shooter and not the gun or ammo. More practice, which just breaks my heart ;D .

55gr Sierra Spitzer over 34.0gr of RL-15 seated to 2.350 OAL and using neck sized cases with a light crimp.

I use 40 gr. v max and 40 gr H380, primers started looking a bit flat there. I shot this on a 80 deg day thou. I checked the primer of El cheapo, white box winchester, factory loads for signs of pressure and they were much flatter and show signs for cratering as well. Bill

I have been using RL15 with 55 gr V-Max and last week at a shoot a friend gave me some rounds loaded with IMR 8208. I think I will be changing, I put 3 in the same hole at 100 yds. I will be getting at least a pound to try. This was with my 12FV that i put into a VLP stock.

I will share this 4 shot group with you just to show you what 35.5grns of RL15 will do in my VLP 22-250. If I remember correctly, when I got around the 37gr area, I started showing signs of pressure, crated primers is my first clue. I noticed "Boots-above post" is using less than 35.5grns of RL15.

PS: Yes, I was scared to shoot the 5 shot, LOL, but it will shot groups like this pretty consistantly. I used the "manual COAL" on this load and compared the COAL with some factory Federal rounds.

[img width=600 height=450]http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/ae56/Dennis4437/22-250BEST355RE1552grBergers.jpg[/img]

Neither of my 22-250s will take the listed max load of h380 without pressure signs, they both shoot very well with it though, I would recomend stopping there, and messing with seating depth a little.
My sporter barrel likes varget, my heavy barrel doesnt care much for it, I have not yet tried the reloader 15.

Mike

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Originally Posted by Dennis

I will share this 4 shot group with you just to show you what 35.5grns of RL15 will do in my VLP 22-250. If I remember correctly, when I got around the 37gr area, I started showing signs of pressure, crated primers is my first clue. I noticed "Boots-above post" is using less than 35.5grns of RL15.

PS: Yes, I was scared to shoot the 5 shot, LOL, but it will shot groups like this pretty consistantly. I used the "manual COAL" on this load and compared the COAL with some factory Federal rounds.

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My manual stated a start load of 33.5 gr of RL-15 if I recall correctly. I worked up to 35.0 and at 35.0 I was blowing out 1 out of 3 primers for 9 shots, now maybe it was just a weird set of circumstances with the primers, but I am making groups just like Dennis' above posted groups at 100yds with my load of 34.0gr and about twice that size at our local 330yd range, so I figured I was safe and accurate. Best of both worlds ;D .

I had used IMR 4320 for almost 30 years but switched to RL 15 about 2 years ago. The load I use for 55gr SBK's is 37.1 RL 15, CCI BR 2, OAL to ogive 2.095 (.005 off) avg. fps 3725 from a 22" Savage Predator barrel. Shoots .3 to .4 5 shot groups.

Alliant powder reloading book lists 37.5grs RL 15 max for a 55gr A-Max.