Another newbie looking for direction

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Another newbie looking for direction

Postby Bmt85 » Thu May 19, 2016 12:12 pm

Hey guys, I've only been reloading a short time (mainly .223) and decided it's time to start rolling my own. I've only gone by book values, so I just want to double check with you guys to make sure I'm starting down the right path.

230gr Fmj Coal - 2.1" Lil gun max case fill - 49.5gr
Starting load - 40gr (80%) Taper crimp - .474"

275 TSX Coal - 2.33" (so I can taper crimp into the front of the first driving band) Win 296 max case fill - 43.8gr
Starting load - 39.5gr (90%) Taper crimp - .474"

350gr Interlock FP (resized) Coal - 2.24" ( hit rifling at 2.255") 1680 max case fill - 45gr
Starting load - 38gr (85%) Taper crimp - .474"

All loads using Rem 7 1/2 primers. Upper is a factory 16" and I'm using a XH buffer (8.5oz) from heavy buffers.
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Re: Another newbie looking for direction

Postby Hoot » Fri May 20, 2016 6:31 am

Welcome Aboard;

Nothing I hunt requires a 350gr bullet, so I cant comment on them, but the other two look good.

You just missed Midway's sale on 225 FTX bullets. They shoot lights out in this caliber. 1 MOA or better.
I have not had good luck accuracy wise with the 230 FMJ RN. YMMV
If the 257 TSX is like the 275 XPB, that is a very accurate bullet. In MN, nothing I hunt requires a 275gr copper bullet either, but the 200gr XPB not only shoots great, but is more than enough smack-down for the big whitetails up here.

Hoot
In Theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In Practice, there is.
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Re: Another newbie looking for direction

Postby Al in Mi » Fri May 20, 2016 7:12 am

Hoot, Ryan stopped by a couple weeks ago with a new box of those 275gr TSX.

Only diff between those and the 275gr XPB I had on hand, is they skipped the top crimp groove in the TSX.
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Re: Another newbie looking for direction

Postby Bmt85 » Fri May 20, 2016 8:39 am

Thanks Hoot. I saw the sale for them, but have more than enough to keep me busy till they go on sale again. The 225 ftx and 200 xpb are definitely on the list though. Figured I'd try a couple different 230gr since I also run 45acp.

As to hunting, I'm pretty much going after everything. Lol
Doing deer and black bear this year, hopefully a chance for elk (it's only going to be smaller cow if I get to). The 275 TSX should take care of those. Also have some Speer 300gr hp (.458) to try if the TSX don't work out.
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Re: Another newbie looking for direction

Postby Bmt85 » Fri Jul 08, 2016 1:29 pm

It's been a while, but finally got around to shooting the my reloads. I'm a little concerned about case head growth.
First reloads:
230gr fmj (hornady) Coal- 2.1" Taper crimp- .474 Remington brass Case head .4955-.4970, average .4961
Lil gun: 40gr - 1 slight hang fire, no c.h. growth, heavy sooting.
40.5gr - c.h. .4980-.4985, heavy sooting.
So I'm way over .0015, but well under .501 max. Am I good to keep moving up, or is the brass done. Just trying to stay safe.
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Re: Another newbie looking for direction

Postby Al in Mi » Fri Jul 08, 2016 1:33 pm

What's your primers looking like?
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Re: Another newbie looking for direction

Postby Bmt85 » Fri Jul 08, 2016 2:56 pm

Primers looked good, also no swiping or imprinting on brass.

another question, case head growth is suppose to be measured after firing, but before resizing, right? Came across something that almost seemed to say the opposite, but that seems weird to me.
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Re: Another newbie looking for direction

Postby Al in Mi » Sat Jul 09, 2016 10:19 am

when I measure case heads, I number the case and do it before and after firing, and only use new or once fired brass. Dunno if it's the right or wrong way using brass, just what I do.

I'm having some sooting and ejection issues with a 41gr load with a 230gr FMJ, but is with a 16" midlength Satern barrel. Tomorrow I plan to work on that bug thou.
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Re: Another newbie looking for direction

Postby pitted bore » Sat Jul 09, 2016 3:22 pm

.
The topic of case head measurement for determining pressures was taken up in a thread four years ago:
Case Head Expansion

It may not be a good idea to select an arbitrary expansion as max. Expansion will vary somewhat using identical loads in different rifles because of variation in chamber dimensions. Different lots of brass will vary in hardness, so that expansion will vary when different lots of brass are used with identical loads fired in the same rifle.

Early proponents of the method recognized this, and usually relied on some sort of standard of comparison for expansion. When departing from published loads and relying on case head expansion to estimate pressures, it might be a good idea to become familiar with the fine points of the technique as described by Ken Waters, among others.

--Bob
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Re: Another newbie looking for direction

Postby Bmt85 » Sun Jul 10, 2016 9:40 am

Thanks guys, appreciate the help.
I think I'm going to put the 230gr with Rem brass loads on hold for a bit. I really need work up hunting loads. I picked up some 200gr xpb for deer hunting, so ill work on those, then the 275's, using hornady brass. Hopefully get a base down on this.
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