powder question

[pighunter284]

the manual states that 58gr of said powder should be your starting point. with 58gr in the case my bullet is so far out wont fit in magazine and i know it wont chamber( measured several times). is backing down the starting grains ok till there is proper measurements. 54gr is the most i can put in without compressing

[Blue Avenger]

more info before I try and answer! case, powder & bullet?

[thomae]

As Blue avenger said, more information is required.
However, if the manual states that 58 grains of a powder is the starting load, and does not indicate that it is compressed, and you find that it is a highly compressed load, I would double and triple check to make sure you are on the correct page of the loading manual. Then I would crosscheck it with other loading manuals to make sure there is not a typo and that it makes sense when compared to similar data.

Then if your gut feeling tells you something is messed up, it is. Stop and don't proceed until you figure out what the problem is. You might save your fingers, eyes, life, etc....

You are allowed to tell us what loading manual you are using...and what caliber and bullet...that way, perhaps someone here can help you with the crosschecking.

[pighunter284]

i switched barrels on my 110 to 338-06. ran 1/2 box of store bought no issues.
lee reloading manual. even hodgdons site says the same
338-06, winchester and weatherby cases, 215,250 sierra and 210 barnes, accubonds,powder is H4350-they state 62gr is compressed.

[pighunter284]

i was going to load for 210 and 215 at the time

[scope eye]

Where are you In New York.

Dean

[pighunter284]

long island

[Blue Avenger]

my books list IMR 4350 that high, but not Hodgden 4350 for bullets that heavy. most of the powders are in the 58gr range

[pighunter284]

ok so after calling sierra and them saying something is wrong in my math ( scales not reading right, wrong brass...) i should be able to fit a start of 58gr. of H4350, and that different lots can sometimes lead to a change in powder volume. sierra said they also used necked up 30-06 for there load development. and that maybe because i full lenthed sized i lost some room....so thats were i stood from them.

so called the source hodgdon. the gentleman on the line said they used necked up winchester 30-06 which i have and used my self. and there grain size has not changed since 1997 with this powder. But he said that maybe its just my brass, which is entirely possible, that just wont hold that much. if your max capacity is 54.3 with wiggle room, back off 10% and work up from there checking for pressure signs.

so thats what i did. started with 50gr. in 1/2gr increments up to 53. best groups were with 51gr and 52.5

[pighunter284]

[Blue Avenger]

Tap (not hard) the case a bit to see if the powder settles a bit?

[pighunter284]

sorry about the double post cant figure out how to delete the smaller ones. all were with sierra 215gr gamekings seated to .020 off the lands. COL 3.208, 77 degree day no wind.

[pighunter284]

Blue- i thought of that but not enough to make up the manuals say

[fgw_in_fla]

Would it be easier to use a slightly faster powder & use a little less in the case?

I know as much as I'd like to use slow powders in my .243 (like 4350 or 4831) I can't get enough in the case to run a full OCW and I'm not much on compressed charges.

Besides, it seems to hate slow powders & does pretty good with faster ones - like 4895.

Go figure....

Frank in Fla