Here we go!!

[Stealthshooter]

I'm headed out in the morning to try out my new loads. I loaded up some 300 SST's sitting on top of 36.5 grains of 296. I also loaded up some of my 350's sitting on top of 33.4 grains of 296. The 350's are working out great so far! I was able to load them to 2.25" and catch the cannelure at the same time!! Here is a pic of one next to a 300 SST.

[Hoot]

...snip The 350's are working out great so far! I was able to load them to 2.25" and catch the cannelure at the same time!! Here is a pic of one next to a 300 SST.

http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/shayn8103/IMG_20110905_221342.jpg

You can't ask for more than that for putting your best foot forward.
Let us know how it goes. Those 350s look menacing.

Hoot

[commander faschisto]

I agree with Hoot...that 350 looks like something will pay dearly for getting in its way...let us know!

IMHO, both of these loads should be available in factory loadings, too. 200/250/300/350gr would make a nice stepping-stone selection from some wise manufacturer!

[Stealthshooter]

Results are in.

300 Grain SST
36.5 Grains 296
AV FPS-1995
Small amount of sooting
1.3" group


350 Grain Modded Hornady
33.4 Grains 296
AV FPS-1730
Large amount of sooting and one stove pipe due to the action not coming back far enough.
2.25" group


Next loads.

300 Grain SST
37 Grains 296

350 Grain Hornady
34.4 Grains 296

Hopefully I'll be able to try these tomorrow morning.

[Jeepejeep]

Wow, these things are flying sledge hammers! Within 200 yards, I don't think anything would on it's feet for long after a hit with these!

[Stealthshooter]

Some interesting numbers!!


Weight in grains=300 SST
Velocity in fps=1995
Caliber in inches=.452
Energy=2650
Momentum=85
Taylor KO=38


Weight in grains=350 Hornady
Velocity in fps=1730
Caliber in inches=.452
Energy=2325
Momentum=86
Taylor KO=39

[wildcatter]

I'm headed out in the morning to try out my new loads. I loaded up some 300 SST's sitting on top of 36.5 grains of 296. I also loaded up some of my 350's sitting on top of 33.4 grains of 296. The 350's are working out great so far! I was able to load them to 2.25" and catch the cannelure at the same time!! Here is a pic of one next to a 300 SST.

[ http://i871.photobucket.com/albums/ab278/shayn8103/IMG_20110905_221342.jpg ]

Sooting is one of the best indications that the case is not sealing enough. Make sure you measure the before and after case head expansion. I number the cases with a Sharpie, before recording that measurement, kinda makes things easier.

Also, you might want to take many of different loads, in different powder amounts, so you don't have to make so many trips back and forth, from the Range and take those calipers to keep track of the case head expansion. Once you get to the exceptable pressures that you are comfortable with, you can always pull the bullets on the remaining loads, that will be considered too hot.

As to case head expansion. There will be many opinions here, and certainly, that maximum amount will depend on the copper composition and different from lot to lot and manufacturer to manufacturer. Folks, in the reloading community, generally for the most part, IMHO, tend to not want to expand much more than 1.5 thousandths (.0015") and again, for the most part, you'll need all of that to get a good seal. To date, .002" expansion, has not shown, again, me personally, any problems, using the Hornady Brass of different lots, but you'll need to be the Judge on that one as the expansion on factory new lots has been, for me, between zero (0) and one thou (.001") and of course I consider the Hornady loading a bit low, on the pressure side, which is why we see much sooting, when using factory new fodder.

For the record, I too like the looks of that 350 grainer, allot. To obtain maximum speed and keep the pressures down, you might have to retire to AA-1680, I personally, was able to obtain 2100fps (20" barrel), with exceptable pressures, and felt there was even room for more improvement, using my 350gr loading & 1680.

Just realize, that by the time you get to .0015" expansion, you will have already gone past the SAMMI Spec..

..t

[Stealthshooter]

My range is only 1.5 miles from my house that's why I've only been doing one load at a time. Gives me something to do in the mornings then I come home and analyze my data and build some new loads for the next morning.

Todays data

300 SST
37 grains 296
AV FPS-2010
some sooting
case head expansion all cases were new and started out at .4990"
1. .5005"
2. .500"
3. .500"
4. .500"
5. .500"
1.5" group Pretty sure it was my fault!!

350 HRNDY
34.4 grains 296
Chrony would not cooperate
still a lot of sooting
case head expansion all new cases .4990"
1. .4995"
2. .500"
3. .500"
4. .500"
5. .4995"
.61" group

Revisited my 200 FTX load
200 FTX
43.6 grains 296
AV FPS-2340
Lots of soot
Case head expansion all new cases .4990"
1. .4995"
2. .4995"
3. .4995"
4. .4995"
5. .4995"
.635" group

[wildcatter]

My range is only 1.5 miles from my house that's why I've only been doing one load at a time. Gives me something to do in the mornings then I come home and analyze my data and build some new loads for the next morning.

Todays data

300 SST
37 grains 296
AV FPS-2010
some sooting
case head expansion all cases were new and started out at .4990"
1. .5005"
2. .500"
3. .500"
4. .500"
5. .500"
1.5" group Pretty sure it was my fault!!

350 HRNDY
34.4 grains 296
Chrony would not cooperate
still a lot of sooting
case head expansion all new cases .4990"
1. .4995"
2. .500"
3. .500"
4. .500"
5. .4995"
.61" group

Revisited my 200 FTX load
200 FTX
43.6 grains 296
AV FPS-2340
Lots of soot
Case head expansion all new cases .4990"
1. .4995"
2. .4995"
3. .4995"
4. .4995"
5. .4995"
.635" group

Man, those 300/350's are shooting well and you're not getting allot of case head expansion, yet. It'll be interesting to see where the exp & speeds are, when the sooting stops

Try to get the data fps on those 350's, on the next try. I use a 22lr, to make sure the Chrony is working, before passing the expensive stuff over the screens.

Keep in mind.. I really think you'll have to up grade to aa-1680, to get the speeds up and the pressures normal, for your selected max expansion standard. I can sometime see 100fps+- more speed than I can get with 296, when using heavy bullets..

..t

[Stealthshooter]

My range is only 1.5 miles from my house that's why I've only been doing one load at a time. Gives me something to do in the mornings then I come home and analyze my data and build some new loads for the next morning.

Todays data

300 SST
37 grains 296
AV FPS-2010
some sooting
case head expansion all cases were new and started out at .4990"
1. .5005"
2. .500"
3. .500"
4. .500"
5. .500"
1.5" group Pretty sure it was my fault!!

350 HRNDY
34.4 grains 296
Chrony would not cooperate
still a lot of sooting
case head expansion all new cases .4990"
1. .4995"
2. .500"
3. .500"
4. .500"
5. .4995"
.61" group

Revisited my 200 FTX load
200 FTX
43.6 grains 296
AV FPS-2340
Lots of soot
Case head expansion all new cases .4990"
1. .4995"
2. .4995"
3. .4995"
4. .4995"
5. .4995"
.635" group

Man, those 300/350's are shooting well and you're not getting allot of case head expansion, yet. It'll be interesting to see where the exp & speeds are, when the sooting stops

Try to get the data fps on those 350's, on the next try. I use a 22lr, to make sure the Chrony is working, before passing the expensive stuff over the screens.

Keep in mind.. I really think you'll have to up grade to aa-1680, to get the speeds up and the pressures normal, for your selected max expansion standard. I can sometime see 100fps+- more speed than I can get with 296, when using heavy bullets..

..t

I've been looking at some other powders for the heavier bullets and the AA1680 is one of them. Here are the powders I've been looking at.

Norma 200
Rel 7
AA1680
AA5744
H4227

PS still have not found a local source for the Norma 200 and have not needed enough powder/primers yet to place a large enough order from Graff's to justify getting any.