BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

[mister_venison]

As a safe reloader, I stop when I see the first pressure signs. Often, this is indicated by slightly flattened primers and noticeably stickier extraction. Usually, I get these indications before reaching the max load listing. This is in many different cartridges and many different rifles. So my question is...is there that big of a difference in rifles, where some rifles can fire loads over max with no pressure signs, while some others show pressure signs earlier? Do older rifles have a bit 'looser' fit, meaning they can handle high pressures? Just curious, with all the hoopla about super-velocity reloads flying about.

[ChesterGolf]

I personally don't think there is a significant difference between factory rifles of the same year but we are also dealing with the age of the rifle, make and model of rifle, and any unknown modifications that could have happened to that rifle if you are not the first owner. Surplus rifles in 30-06 for example, are going to react different than your rem 700 with a 30-06 load. Even in rifles made off the same assembly line could be different as the machining tools dull after repeated use. This is why we try to pound home the importance of starting safe and working up so the new reloader doesn't take some innocently placed info. and get hurt with it.

[bitmasher]

Just curious, with all the hoopla about super-velocity reloads flying about.

Nahhh they are showing signs, they are just ignoring them :wink:

On a more serious note I have wondered if the newer short magnums will not show the pressure signs in the same way that a traditional cartridge would...

[mister_venison]

Kinda what I thought, bitmasher. I think you would still see the same kinds of pressure signs from the short mags.

[fuzzybear]

What I've had the best luck with in loading the 300wsm is I look through 4 different manuals. I note the powder and load for the given bullet in each manual and start with the 3 powders that are recommended in each manual. Then I take an average of the maximun load recommendations of each powder, drop down 3grs and as long as I'm below the recommendation for that particular bullet That's where I start.

Yes, in some of the loads I was working up the pressure signs were showing up before I reached maximum recommendation. In most the average maximum were safe in my rifle. The 165gr Hornady Interbond started flattening primers at about 1gr. above the average maximum recommendation.

The type of bullet and the alloy it's constructed with can make a difference in the velocity the bullet travels down the barrel. When Remington was developing one of the rounds for their then new 300rum they went with the Nosler Partition instead of Swift version because they could get more velocity from the Partition. The Partition is a harder alloyed bullet and velocity sells.

Almost always if I'm going to load a round to hunt with I stay about a grain below the maximum. Temperature changes, altitude, or whatever else MAY effect the round and I don't want those problems in the field.

When it comes to velocity in most cases your only going to increase the trajectory by +1" at 300yds per 100fps and the energy by +or- 200ft/lbs at that same distance. When you start going beyond the maximum that the particlar rifle can maintain you start getting excessive wear and a shorter life span of the rifle. I've found if you need a little more push the best thing to do is get a bigger rifle.


_________________
If you can't do it with a wissum. It can't be done.

[ This Message was edited by: fuzzybear on 2004-04-05 14:13 ]

[Captain_Obvious]

''When Remington was developing one of the rounds for their then new 300rum they went with the Nosler Partition instead of Swift version because they could get more velocity from the Partition. The Partition is a harder alloyed bullet and velocity sells.


That's an accurate statement. I like high velocity, but all the same, 2950 fps is all I need for hunting.