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308 over pressure? |
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trojan73
Optics Apprentice Joined: September/18/2012 Location: flagstaff Status: Offline Points: 108 |
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Posted: April/08/2014 at 23:26 |
Hi guys
I hand loaded 190 grain nosler BTHP using 41 grains of Varget and using cci rifle primers. The rifle I was using is a Savage model 10 FCP HS Precision. 41 grains of Varget is the starting load for this particular bullet. I believe I am experiencing signs of over pressure based on the flatness of the fired primer, but im not understanding why if im not reaching the maximum load based on hodgdons website. My other observation was one of my fired cases when ejected no longer retained the primer(primer was no longer in the primer pocket). So.....do I load with lower starting loads? If I do, Im not understanding why especially if Hodgdons website states 41 grains is a safe starting load. Any and all feedback would be appreciated, thank you.
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6\250\40
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/17/2014 Location: At the ranch Status: Offline Points: 204 |
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Trojan, I consulted 2 other manuals; Sierra and Hornady. BOTH list around 41 gr. as the TOP LOAD. Sierra: 35.4 2200 37.4 2300 39.4 2400 41.4 2500 Hornady: 36.1 2200 38.5 2300 40.9 2400 I'll dig up my Hodgdon manual in a bit, but this tells me that 41 gr. is NOT A STARTING LOAD. Good Luck, let us know how this turns out.
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6\250\40
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/17/2014 Location: At the ranch Status: Offline Points: 204 |
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Trojan, dug out Lyman and Hodgdon manuals. Lyman says 38.5 @ 2322-42.8 @ 2575 Hodgdon says exactly what yours says. To me, this enforces two things: Every rifle is a law unto itself, and multiple manuals are a good thing. Hope this helps.
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"You'll learn a helluva lot more listenin' than you will talkin'" My Dad
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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I'd go with the Hodgdon mainly because I've used this load a lot--- 10k + quantities. I'm betting your using new or fully resized brass which is showing a lot of headspace. Your flatten primers is occurring when the firing pin pushes the entire round forward until it hits the shoulders, then as ignition occurs the primer is pushed out, and as the pressure increases it pushes the case back reseating the primer, but not fast enough. The primer is then flattened. This occurs with low pressure loads, in this case at the 46000 rating by Hodgdon and routinely in straight walled magnum pistol cartridges. After the first fire forming of the cases neck size or only partial with a full length die. The best loads I've found are between 42 and 44 grs. Varget. |
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Do you have a chronograph? If so, what is your chrono telling you?
More than likely, you don't have an overpressure round. I'm betting you have excessive headspace, as Dale mentions, especially if you're using new, unfired brass. While flattened primers can be an indication of pressure, often as not, flattened primers are an indication of excess headspace, due to the sequence of events Dale describes. |
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Ted
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trojan73
Optics Apprentice Joined: September/18/2012 Location: flagstaff Status: Offline Points: 108 |
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Thanks guys
I do have a chronograph and ill try that out next time I go out. However, to give you a little more info on the subject, the cases im using were fired once before and I was full length sizing. I use rcbs dies pn#15501, should I be using something else?
I do have another scenario to add to the subject. Same batch of ammo but a shooting previous to the one I mentioned earlier. Fired a total of approx 30 rounds. During the course 3 of the fired rounds were difficult to extract. I had to use the palm of my hand to drive the bolt open, felt like the case was stuck in the chamber. About the 30th round the bolt would not open. wacked it a few times with my hand but no give. I finally had to take off my scope, stand me and the rifle up and use my foot on the bolt to force open:( it finally opened. But with half the case stuck in the chamber:( I had to take it to my gun shop would I know does good work and all is well now.
I just dont want to repeat the same scenario as last time.
Where do I start? thx
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Shenko
Optics Apprentice Joined: April/20/2008 Location: WA Status: Offline Points: 249 |
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Sure sounds to me like way too much pressure. No way I'd shoot more of those.
You didn't mention the COAL. Any chance the bullets are seated too long for your chamber? Did you double-check your scale? Could you have a different bullet than you think you have? You could weigh & measure some to be sure. Could you have a different powder than you think you have? |
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trojan73
Optics Apprentice Joined: September/18/2012 Location: flagstaff Status: Offline Points: 108 |
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yes, measure twice load once:)
no, box says nosler 190 BTHP
Ill do that, thx
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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
George Washington |
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tejas
Optics Journeyman Joined: March/08/2010 Location: Lone Star State Status: Offline Points: 575 |
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What kind of brass are you using? Did you trim it? Also, how are you setting your FL sizer up? If your just bringing it down to the shell holder then a hair more, as the instructions say, try this instead:
Bring your die down until it touches then the shell holder, then back it off fall a turn. Chamber the case, if you feel stiff resistance, bring your die down a hair more. Repeat tis until, your case fits in the chamber with just a bit of resistance. Or, make it easy on your self and get a case gauge. https://www.hornady.com/store/Lock-N-Load-Headspace-Kit-With-Body-1-Each/ |
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trojan73
Optics Apprentice Joined: September/18/2012 Location: flagstaff Status: Offline Points: 108 |
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different head stamps, fc, pmc, winchester, hornady, rp, and wra.
Yes, trimmed to 2.010
shellholder plus 1/4 a turn more
Ill try that, thank you
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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
George Washington |
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Mike McDonald
Optics Journeyman Joined: September/01/2004 Status: Offline Points: 739 |
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Bear in mind that the loads listed were safe in the testing labs firearm and should only be considered as a guide for use in your guns. Due to machining tolerances, land and groove dimensions, rifling lead, throat length and a whole laundry list of other stuff, your rifle is different than theirs. Always use a starting load and work upward from that point. Also be aware that max load and max velocity might not equate to max accuracy but may equate to max problems Personally I love 190's in the 308. Just plain scary accurate at distance. Best of luck in the search for the grail! |
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okc4956
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/13/2009 Location: Oklahoma City Status: Offline Points: 135 |
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Is that a new gun? You might get your gunsmith to just check your headspace tho he probably did after getting the 1/2 case out. I got a new Rem 700 a while back that did the same sort of thing (tho not as bad) with loads I was using in a couple of other rifles. My primers were not flat but the cases were sticking. Took it to my gunsmith who found a couple of ridges in the chamber that seemed to be catching the case when it was fired.. he polished the chamber and it seems to be working ok now. Funny thing was that new factory loads didn't stick in the chamber. I've not figured that one out yet. I thought it was shoulder thing. Remington advised me to have my die turned down a couple of thousandths to set the shoulder back a little more. I still thing the chamber is not exactly right in that gun but sort of set it in the safe last fall and haven't gotten back to it yet. |
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