280 Rem & 140 gr Accubonds

[BD1]

Hell, that's still good shooting at 200 yds, I don't think you should be that disappointed. Thanks for the update on your vels. Looks like you are right up at the velocity/pressure threshold that QL predicted and using 59 instead of 60 grs. of powder.
Check your torque and reshoot.........

 

[M7025-06]

Thanks.

I'm gonna retest this load at 40 in/lbs on the action screws next time out and go up from there just to see what it does.

I did find 1 split neck on my brand new Norma brass. Not sure what to think. Primers look fine and the bolt lift was normal.

 

[BD1]

How do the other cases look and was the split in a first time fired case?

 

[M7025-06]

How do the other cases look and was the split in a first time fired case?

The 19 other cases looked fine (20 total - 10 Winchester Nickel/10 Norma).

The split neck was on a first time fired, brand new shiny Norma case. The split was from the very top of the case mouth about 1/2 way down the neck.

The Winchester brass were on their 4th firing and they were all fine. I'm thinking just a bad piece of brass.

 

[tecumseh]

I couldn't get the Accubonds to shoo that well in my 280. I had the best luck with em using H4831SC. The two bullets that shoo the best out of my encore prohunter are the 140 gr BT and Barnes TTSX with IMR-4831.

 

[tecumseh]

I couldn't get the Accubonds to shoo that well in my 280. I had the best luck with em using H4831SC. The two bullets that shoo the best out of my encore prohunter are the 140 gr BT and Barnes TTSX with IMR-4831.

 

[M7025-06]

I couldn't get the Accubonds to shoo that well in my 280. I had the best luck with em using H4831SC. The two bullets that shoo the best out of my encore prohunter are the 140 gr BT and Barnes TTSX with IMR-4831.

I'm having the opposite problem. I can't get the TTSX's to shoot worth a crap...I think I've gone through at least 1 box trying to find a decent load. The AB's took 11 rounds to find a load.

I've got a brand new box of 140 gr. TTSX's on the shelf I'd like to get rid of.

 

[tecumseh]

It's amazing how de rifles shoot a bullet real well and others won't shoot at all using that same bullet.

 

[DrMike]

It's amazing how de rifles shoot a bullet real well and others won't shoot at all using that same bullet.

Each rifle is an entity unto itself.

 

[M7025-06]

How do the other cases look and was the split in a first time fired case?

The 19 other cases looked fine (20 total - 10 Winchester Nickel/10 Norma).

The split neck was on a first time fired, brand new shiny Norma case. The split was from the very top of the case mouth about 1/2 way down the neck.

The Winchester brass were on their 4th firing and they were all fine. I'm thinking just a bad piece of brass.

Here is a pic of the case with the split neck

 

[Alderman]

I've had it happen a time or two over the years.

 

[M7025-06]

I've had it happen a time or two over the years.

Do you think it's over-pressure or just a bad piece of brass?

 

[PJGunner]

I've had it happen a time or two over the years.

Do you think it's over-pressure or just a bad piece of brass?

Sounds to me like it wasn't properly annealled. You might want to anneal the ones you have left.
Paul B.

 

[M7025-06]

I've had it happen a time or two over the years.

Do you think it's over-pressure or just a bad piece of brass?

Sounds to me like it wasn't properly annealled. You might want to anneal the ones you have left.
Paul B.

It's brand new Norma brass. This was the first firing.

 

[Alderman]

I would lean toward a bad piece of brass. It's possible you had a defect before you shot that went unnoticed. The only Norma brass I've used is for the 6.5x55 and it has been good through four loading a so far.

 

[BD1]

It is a bit unusual to see a split neck on a first time fired case provided the loads are all within safe pressures. My first inclination is also leaning towards a defective case. I'm wondering since you mentioned using two different brands of cases if you are loading the same charges in both flavors of cases ? Have you noticed any differences in velocity or the amount of case expansion/stretching/sizing of new and once fired cases between the two flavors.
I noticed you are using a custom chambered 23" Bartlien barrel and are getting top vels with slightly lesser charges, any possibility you might be running to warm a load of Rel 22 ? There's a possibility you might need to back the charge off slightly or switch to a different powder.
It would be interesting to know what, if any differences you might be tracking with the different components.
Just a thought,

BD

 

[M7025-06]

It is a bit unusual to see a split neck on a first time fired case provided the loads are all within safe pressures. My first inclination is also leaning towards a defective case. I'm wondering since you mentioned using two different brands of cases if you are loading the same charges in both flavors of cases ? Have you noticed any differences in velocity or the amount of case expansion/stretching/sizing of new and once fired cases between the two flavors.
I noticed you are using a custom chambered 23" Bartlien barrel and are getting top vels with slightly lesser charges, any possibility you might be running to warm a load of Rel 22 ? There's a possibility you might need to back the charge off slightly or switch to a different powder.
It would be interesting to know what, if any differences you might be tracking with the different components.
Just a thought,

BD

I'm leaning toward defective case too.

I have tested this load with brand new Norma brass, and anywhere from 1-fired to 4-fired Winchester Brass (nickle plated) and this split neck is the only problem I've had. Bolt lift is fine and the primers look ok. This powder is out of the same 5 lb jug I've been using for quit a while and this is the first problem I've had. The groupings have been fairly consistent no matter what brass I'm using.

I haven't ran this load over the chrony when loaded with the winchester brass, but if I have time, I'll try it this weekend.

 

[BD1]

Chronograph info is always good. If you have reloaded and fired again the same Norma cases without issue, it would seem a stronger likelihood of a defective case. Looking forward to hearing what you find out.

Best,
BD

 

[M7025-06]

Made it out to the range this morning. It was a nice morning, especially for the first of August (65* & rainy with a 15-25 mph south wind). I ran through ten more rounds with both Norma and Winchester brass at 59 gr. and not-a-one showed any signs of pressure (no neck splits). I didn't bother with the chrony...I was afraid it would blow over.

I'm pretty much convinced it was a bad piece of brass.