taylorce1
Handloader
- Jun 3, 2007
- 1,080
- 0
Well I went to try and find out if my .243 likes the 55 grain Nosler BT today. I was getting pressure signs real early which really supprised me. I took my load right out of Nosler's 5th edition reloading guide. I'm using H414 with CCI small rifle primers and Federal brass fired out of a Parker Hale Midland rifle.
I loaded up 5 cartridges each time I moved up a grain starting with 48.5 loading all the way up to 52.5 grains. My first 5 shot group shot just fine and my second group I noticed the bolt took a little more effort to open. On my third group of 5 (50.5 grains) I had to hold one hand on the buttstock to keep the rifle from lifting so I could work the bolt.
My primers appear normal as does the brass other than some scaring from the extractor on the head stamp on the 50.5 grain cartridges. I loaded the bullets .020 off the lands and thought about moving it in if I found a promising load, so I know the bullet wasn't touching the lands to start with. I went to Hogdon's web site and they showed that I should load from 45-50 grains.
I realize that the data in the reloading manuals are just guide lines and each rifle is different, but I've never had any rifle show pressure signs this early. I was thinking it might be something with the powder as I remember hearing that H414 could have pressure problems, but the temp was only low 60's today. This is the first time I've tried H414, I bought it because I found an 8lb container for $85 plus tax.
I guess it is back to the drawing board and I'll start out at 45 grains and work my way back up. Any suggestions or if you can think of somthing I'm missing would be greatly appreciated.
I loaded up 5 cartridges each time I moved up a grain starting with 48.5 loading all the way up to 52.5 grains. My first 5 shot group shot just fine and my second group I noticed the bolt took a little more effort to open. On my third group of 5 (50.5 grains) I had to hold one hand on the buttstock to keep the rifle from lifting so I could work the bolt.
My primers appear normal as does the brass other than some scaring from the extractor on the head stamp on the 50.5 grain cartridges. I loaded the bullets .020 off the lands and thought about moving it in if I found a promising load, so I know the bullet wasn't touching the lands to start with. I went to Hogdon's web site and they showed that I should load from 45-50 grains.
I realize that the data in the reloading manuals are just guide lines and each rifle is different, but I've never had any rifle show pressure signs this early. I was thinking it might be something with the powder as I remember hearing that H414 could have pressure problems, but the temp was only low 60's today. This is the first time I've tried H414, I bought it because I found an 8lb container for $85 plus tax.
I guess it is back to the drawing board and I'll start out at 45 grains and work my way back up. Any suggestions or if you can think of somthing I'm missing would be greatly appreciated.
You are right POP, CCI 200 large rifle. 
