.257 bee 90gr absolute

[Pdvdh]

25 WSM:
Fired 3 additional 90gr Absolute Hammers today from my 25 WSM to collect MVs and monitor pressure.
Norma 270 WSM parent cases.
Federal 210s
H4350
0.002" jam with 2.939" OACL

60.0gr > 3,694fps > ~0.0007" case head swell.
61.0gr > 3,717fps > ~0.0007" case head swell.
62.0gr > 3,774fps > ~0.001" case head swell.

Very similar MVs at the same H4350 powder charges as with the CCI 250 primers, yesterday. My rifle is gonna shoot these 90gr Absolute Hammers with good brass life at ~3,725fps with H4350. MV also looking fairly stable (node) in that 3,700 - 3,735fps zone.

I'm content with that MV. Need to test precision next, across my 280yd shooting range.

 

[CA48]

Thanks for testing, I was thinking you might be able to get a little more velocity. Never know until you try. But that seems about right. I run 3800fps with adg brass and around 3700 with norma.
I've noticed from others reports that the .25/284s with lapua brass will run right there close with the Saum/Wsm cases. With lighter bullets anyway.

Enjoy that laser!

 

[Hard rock]

Thanks for testing, I was thinking you might be able to get a little more velocity. Never know until you try. But that seems about right. I run 3800fps with adg brass and around 3700 with norma.
I've noticed from others reports that the .25/284s with lapua brass will run right there close with the Saum/Wsm cases. With lighter bullets anyway.

Enjoy that laser!

You might give it a .025 too.030 jump you don't need too try and jam the absolutes , you may lower the initial start up pressure . I still think you can go one step down too a slower powder with higher vel and less pressure especially with that length of barrel. That being said H4350 is a great powder choice but I think you are leaving vel on the table . The choice of brass can make a difference.

 

[Pdvdh]

Yesterday I was jumping them 0.020" with the CCI 250s. Today I jammed them 0.002". Agreed, brass quality makes or breaks the ability to eek out the higher MVs.

Not sure that anyone makes stronger case head 300WSM or 270WSM brass. I had heard ~12 months ago that ADG was considering it. Dunno if Peterson or Alpha is now making 300WSM. Any of those brands would endure pressure better than my Norma. This Norma brass was the best available when I purchased it ~12 months ago.

I may shoot a couple bullets with the H4831SC. Just to see what it yields...

 

[Hard rock]

Yesterday I was jumping them 0.020" with the CCI 250s. Today I jammed them 0.002". Agreed, brass quality makes or breaks the ability to eek out the higher MVs.

Not sure that anyone makes 300WSM or 270WSM brass. I had heard ~12 months ago, that ADG was considering it. Dunno if Peterson or Alpha is now making 300WSM. Any of those brands would endure pressure better than my Norma. This Norma brass was the best available when I purchased it ~12 months ago.

I may shoot a couple bullets with the H4831SC. Just to see what it yields...

My experience with the 6.5-284 Norma versus 6.5-284 Lapua necked down too 25-284 the Lapua does not loose primer pockets or have premature ejector marks , definitely a difference.

 

[CA48]

Hard Rock,
I agree probably no need to jam the absolutes. I don't with the 92gr hammer hunters or the 67gr sledge hammers.

Phorwath,
It will be interesting to see how H4831sc does. If you want to try some adg brass let me know. I have some 300 wsm adg brass and I don't mind sending you 12 or so pieces to test. You might have to turn necks. I bought it for my 270wsm, but still have norma & Hornady so haven't used any yet.

 

[snox801]

My CCI 200s are so old, not sure I can trust them.

View attachment 371403

I do have Fed 210s. Is there similar feedback on Fed 210s? Or only the CCI 200s having the magic, Midas touch?

Yes I've used those and cci 200's and both showed lower speeds and pressure from mags allowing more powder to be added to case this more speed for the same pressure readings I was getting. It's not a ton but it's something. I think I gained 25-50fps at best.

 

[Pdvdh]

I've done the same with various other bullets. I wondered if this Absolute Hammer was unique in this way. Look's like it behaves similarly with respect to the primers and powder charges and MVs.

 

[Pdvdh]

25 WSM:
Fired 4 additional 90gr Absolute Hammers today from my 25 WSM to collect MVs and monitor pressure. MVs collected with LabRadar.
Norma 270 WSM parent cases.
Federal 210
H4831SC
0.030" jump with 2.907" OACL

65.0gr > 3,616fps > ~0.0005" case head swell.
66.0gr > 3,729fps > ~0.0007" case head swell.
67.0gr > 3,769fps > ~0.0009" case head swell.
68.0gr > 3,816fps > ~0.0012" case head swell.

MV shows a big jump from 65gr to 66gr. Then a similar increase with each additional grain of powder. I almost fired a round at 69gr, but pretty sure I'd have just ruined a casing. Bolt lift was increasing at 68gr and a light plunger imprint became visible, but was no brass shearing. Pressure with H4831SC at 3,816fps was clearly less than the pressure with H4350 at 3,847fps.

I think I could shoot this bullet around 3,800 with H4831SC with good Norma brass life. Gain ~75fps with H4831SC, over H4350. I don't see a MV node in the midst of these four H4831SC powder charges.

Plan to shoot H4350 around 3,725fps on paper, cuz it looked like a velocity node there. I might next shoot targets with H4831SC, depending on the precision from the H4350 loads.

My 25 WSM water capacity on a virgin, unfired case was ~76.2gr H20. Water capacity in a fully pressured case is 77.8gr H20, with these Norma 270 WSM parent cases.

If I get a few ADG 300 WSM cases from CA48, I'll see if they'll withstand a higher velocity node while preserving good primer pocket life. I do expect the ADG brass will be stronger than my Norma.

 

[RiverShooter]

I am working on a 25-06 using 90 gr Absolutes at this time. Any suggestions on loads different than comparable loads in the discussion? I got good results with around 58 gr H4831SC, sub .5" MOA and 3333 fps on the Labradar. I could do more with H4350, or by going to the Reloaders. Thanks

 

[snox801]

I am working on a 25-06 using 90 gr Absolutes at this time. Any suggestions on loads different than comparable loads in the discussion? I got good results with around 58 gr H4831SC, sub .5" MOA and 3333 fps on the Labradar. I could do more with H4350, or by going to the Reloaders. Thanks

I would say 4350 would be great. I haven't tried Reloader which usually you can gain some speed but I'd try 4350 based on what I got out of my bee I didn't even bother trying another powder