Compressed Load ?

[Vince]

I have what may be a dumb question.

I'm going to load some 200 Grain Accubonds with Retumbo in my .300 Win Mag. It becomes a compressed load as one gets towards the upper end of the amount of powder one can safely put in the case.

Is there any special precautions I should take? I've never done a compressed load before and this is only the second rifle caliber that I've loaded for. My 25/06 had a lot of case capacity left when I used IMR 4350. I'm a little nervous about doing a compressed load, I admit.

My plan is to start at the mid-range of the powder charge and load three rounds of each powder charge, in half grain increments, until I find the maximum charge my rifle can safely handle or I max out the powder charge. As I shoot them I will determine the most accurate charge and go from there.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Vince

 

[rick smith]

Use a drop tube when placing the powder in your case. Nothing wrong with a compressed load just be aware that it could push the bullet forward in the case. If you are seating near the lands or have the round loaded to mag box length, they could become too long. Mark a case and put the max load of powder in the case, seat the bullet at your pre-determined length and let the loaded round just sit on your bench for a day or so. Measure the seated length after that time. Hopefully you are measuring to the bullet ogive, disassemble the load after you have made the comparison.Rick.

 

[DrMike]

Vince,

With IMR4350, you can load to ~114% of case capacity. Compacting will allow that much overfill. As Rick has stated, a long drop tube will help settle the charge. Another step that can help to compact is, leaving your funnel on the top of the case, gently tap the case with a glass (or brass) rod to settle the charge. The reason for holding the funnel on top is to prevent any of the charge from popping out of the case.

 

[SJB358]

Yep, a long drop tube is my friend. I use one for everything, on all rounds.

 

[onesonek]

Like other's mentioned, done correctly, compressed load are not a problem.

 

[gerry]

No worries about compresed loads, with the 260 Rem and 35 Whelen I have had do it a bunch of times. With long 140's in the 260 you sometimes hear the powder crunching which doesn't sound good at all but it is perfectly safe to do with published loads.

 

[Vince]

Thanks all.
I'll load some up next week and give them a go.

 

[JD338]

Vince,

My 338 RUM loads with the 250 gr AB are compressed loads. I use a Black and Decker mouse to vibrate the case full of powder to settle the charge. I have fired several hundred rounds and have never had a problem. Max loads were developed during the summer months so I do not have to worry about excessive pressures.

JD338