Absolute Hammer load data
- Thread starter RockyMtnMT
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jeremy.b
Well-Known Member
With the limited data on the 308 (compared to other calibers) it's still a bit of a toss-up on the burn rates.
LIke @JMW67 said, starting with load data for 20 gr under the AH weight is a good place to start. Steve has mentioned looking up faster powders at on Hodgdon's load data and using the max load as a starting load.
So with that in mind, better burn rates should fall in powders faster than IMR 4064 or possible as "slow" as Varget. Based on your selection 8208 XBR, H4198, CFE 223 & RL 10x is where I'd start running ladders based on Hodgdon & Alliant data.
LIke @JMW67 said, starting with load data for 20 gr under the AH weight is a good place to start. Steve has mentioned looking up faster powders at on Hodgdon's load data and using the max load as a starting load.
So with that in mind, better burn rates should fall in powders faster than IMR 4064 or possible as "slow" as Varget. Based on your selection 8208 XBR, H4198, CFE 223 & RL 10x is where I'd start running ladders based on Hodgdon & Alliant data.
XBR or RL10
dougduey
Well-Known Member
Got out today and shot my 6.5 Creed with the 123gr Absolute.
Here's all the info.
24" Proof with 1:8 twist
Hornady 1x fired brass, FL resized bumping shoulder.
COAL 2.825"
CCI 250 Primer
Lee FCD set to factory guidelines
Temp 80 degrees
IMR8208
37.0 2852 fps
38.0. 2921
39.0. 2980
39.5. 3015
40.0. 3075
40.5. 3094
41.0. 3125. Slight ejector swipe
41.5. 3151. Stuck bolt, heavy ejector mark.
BL- C(2)
41.0. 2962 fps
42.0. 2960
43.0 3049
43.5 3072
44.0 3119
44.5. 3182
45.0 3235 ejector mark and very stiff bolt lift.
Looks like BL-C(2) is the winner. Going to load some up between 44.1-45.7 and see where it likes to be. Then we'll see how it groups.
My pet load with RL16 and the 124 gr Hunter gives me 3033 fps, so 100 fps over it with the Absolute will be pretty nice.
I'll report back on my final load in the near future.
Here's all the info.
24" Proof with 1:8 twist
Hornady 1x fired brass, FL resized bumping shoulder.
COAL 2.825"
CCI 250 Primer
Lee FCD set to factory guidelines
Temp 80 degrees
IMR8208
37.0 2852 fps
38.0. 2921
39.0. 2980
39.5. 3015
40.0. 3075
40.5. 3094
41.0. 3125. Slight ejector swipe
41.5. 3151. Stuck bolt, heavy ejector mark.
BL- C(2)
41.0. 2962 fps
42.0. 2960
43.0 3049
43.5 3072
44.0 3119
44.5. 3182
45.0 3235 ejector mark and very stiff bolt lift.
Looks like BL-C(2) is the winner. Going to load some up between 44.1-45.7 and see where it likes to be. Then we'll see how it groups.
My pet load with RL16 and the 124 gr Hunter gives me 3033 fps, so 100 fps over it with the Absolute will be pretty nice.
I'll report back on my final load in the near future.
cooperjd
Well-Known Member
very nice. Speeds look similar to mine with imr4166. My last couple groups at 200 were not so nice, however. So I will be switching powders or changing seating depths.
dougduey
Well-Known Member
Very rarely have I seen seating depth changes do any good with the Hammers. My one exception was with the 166 gr Hunter in my 300 WSM. I seated it 0.005" deeper and it snugged up real nice.
Steve has said multiple times that if he isn't getting a pretty decent group while working up loads with increasing charge weights, he will switch to a different powder.
Look forward to seeing you report.
Doug
cooperjd
Well-Known Member
Yeah I've seen that too and was hoping I could be an exception
. Considering I don't have many powders in the varget burn rate on hand. And getting more...well...sucks right now. you think h4350 / rl16 would be too slow for the 123s?
My last couple groups at 200 were not so nice, however.
I'm shocked ............................ A Needmoor that has a bad group, Blasphemy!!!!
Always a wise guy in the crowd!!!
If the word gets out they will prolly have to put cooperjd in the witness protection programAlways a wise guy in the crowd!!!
RL 16 may do ok if you use a drop tube. 45 grs gave 3100 to one person.Yeah I've seen that too and was hoping I could be an exception
you think h4350 / rl16 would be too slow for the 123s?
dougduey
Well-Known Member
Unfortunately I think they are too slow, but perfect for the 124 Hunter.Yeah I've seen that too and was hoping I could be an exception
you think h4350 / rl16 would be too slow for the 123s?
cooperjd
Well-Known Member
Ha, i know i know, the 6.5creeds are usually difficult to group with since they just destroy the targets on the first shot. They are quite magical. This gun shoots the 130 vlds anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2moa; so i was a little shocked with the first 200y grouping with the AHs. I shot my other 2 rifles very well so i don't think it was all the loose nut behind the trigger. I will see how much varget i actually have on hand and play some more. With no antelope hunts this year I won't be hunting with it, so i'm in no real hurry.
i was just gifted my Dad's 1975 Weatherby Mark V in .300wby. I need to have the stock fixed (wrist crack) and will start playing with it with some 178AH. Guess my more modern mark V UL will be up for sale again; am going to pick it up from my smith today with the new brake. Don't really need 3 mark V .300bees.
OK, on with further testing. I loaded up some additional rounds with the N540 to go a bit higher.
N540
55.0=3207
56.0=3255
57.0=3283
58.0=3327 ejector/stiff bolt
The N540 produced almost precisely the same velocity as the Varget in my testing. Next will be loading 5 rounds in both powders up and down from the 57.0 grain mark. Probably use .3 spreads to determine which load produces tightest groups. Additionally, I have some Norma 202 enroute and I will test that as well to see if it preforms better than the Varget and N540. Testing to date tells me that 3250 to 3300 is going to be top end in my 6.5 Max shooting the 123 AH.
