160 FTX load workup

[spires5d]

I'm working up a load for the 30-30 with the 160FTX bullet. I'm using H4895 powder and I'm at 31.5 grains right now with a C.O.A.L. of 2.538". What I want to know is how can I tell when the load is too hot? I'm weighing a .5 grain at a time. Thanks for the help.



Noslers Rock!

 

[DrMike]

I PM'd you with some data that will help.

QuickLoad suggests that you may be over pressure now. You might want to check IMR3031 or A2495 as alternatives to get a little more velocity.

 

[super-7]

You can actually download the ftx data on the hornady web site, all my books show the 170 gr fln bullet and you would be at max for the fln. bullet and powder combo. Varget or bl-c(2) may also work well.My one BIL loaded a 165 ftx in his 32 win spl. using RL-7. I haven't talked to him to see how it shoots .

 

[SJB358]

Hornady has some load info for the FTX's on their site. Might be useful for ya. Scotty

 

[Coyote Hunter]

I'm working up a load for the 30-30 with the 160FTX bullet. I'm using H4895 powder and I'm at 31.5 grains right now with a C.O.A.L. of 2.538". What I want to know is how can I tell when the load is too hot? I'm weighing a .5 grain at a time. Thanks for the help.



Noslers Rock!

spires5d –

I worked up some two weeks ago and came up with the following:

32.5g H4895 = 2312fps
34.0g Varget = 2274fps
35.0 BL-C(2) = 2241fps

I also used 0.5g increments, one load at each powder charge for BL-C(2) and H4895, two each for Varget, with separate targets for each powder.

BL-C(2) gave vertical stringing, shooting a very narrow vertical box measuring 9” high and less than 1” wide. I won’t be using this powder.

Varget put 4 shots inside an inch (two each at 34.0g and 34.5g).

H4895 put 3 shots in 0.9” (one each at 32.0g, 32.5g and 33.0g).

H4895 will likely be what I end up loading.

Hope this helps.

 

[hubcap]

I also worked up to 32.0 grains of H-4895 using the same coal that hornady uses in there factory ammo. 2.555 to be exact. WW brass and primers gave me 2360 velocity on the ole chrony. In my marlin 336W factory ammo gave me 2330 average velocity. I noticed two things that were important while working on this project. [1] Factory ammo in my rifle exhibited cratered primers. [2] 32.0 grains of H-4895 also showed miner cratering however less than the factory stuff. Also gave rem brass and cci-200 primers a try and got 2300 velocity with no cratering at all. So is 32.0 grains too hot. Depends on your pressure signs in your rifle. I finally decided that 32.0 is absolutely max in my rifle. In order to keep both feet in the safety box I decided to go with no more than 31.5 of H-4895 using WW cases and primers. This will cut the velocity back to what factory ammo velocity is. Hornady lists 2400 in a 24 inch barrel. 2330 in a 20 inch barrel is more than enough for me.

 

[spires5d]

Thanks guys for the help I have received. After seeing that H4895 powder at 31,5 grains can give me 2300 FPS,I'm going to stick with that.

 

[hubcap]

Spire5d, H-4895 does seem to be a good choice. I,ve already loaded up some test loads with IMR-4064. Still have not shot em yet. I have had excellent reesults with 170 core-loks and 33 grains of 4064. This is another load that matches factory remington ammo in the velocity department. Nice to see the 30;30 getting a little attention. It don,t knock em down like a 300 mag but in todays economy its cheaper to shoot alot and more fun to boot.