Reloading- What pressure signs do you stop at?

[xsn10s]

On a serious note, I pay attentions for flattening primers, ejector marks etc but I stop when I start getting a stiff bolt lift.

I do the same and back off when I get those indicators.

 

[jessej]

I usually shut'er down when I have to beat the bolt open with a wooden mallet. Back off one grain from there and that's the sweet spot

Yep. Ive lost a few bolt handles that way.

Now I look for actions that have a one piece bolt including the handle. Or at very least, tig welded handle.

 

[Dean2]

So for all you guys that stop when you get heavy or stuck bolt lift, and you know that you are more than 15,000 PSI over pressure to do that and maybe a whole bunch more than that at the stuck bolt stage, how many extra FPS are you getting by pushing the load that far over max. Just curious because I have never pushed a load to the sticky bolt stage.

Reason I ask is, for example, Hodgdon published data for a 300 Mag 220 grain Sierra Boat Tail bullet shows 2614 FPS at 70.3 of H1000 49,500 PSI, 2876 at 77.7 for 63,200, so they picked up 14,000 psi to gain 250 FPS. So at 80,000 PSI to make the bolt hard to lift, what velocity are you getting and how much more powder did you need to add.

 

[Rich Coyle]

Dean2 ,

The vast majority of loaders have no pressure equipment. Therefore, we have no idea how much is gained by X amount of pressure.

 

[xsn10s]

So for all you guys that stop when you get heavy or stuck bolt lift, and you know that you are more than 15,000 PSI over pressure to do that and maybe a whole bunch more than that at the stuck bolt stage, how many extra FPS are you getting by pushing the load that far over max. Just curious because I have never pushed a load to the sticky bolt stage.

Reason I ask is, for example, Hodgdon published data for a 300 Mag 220 grain Sierra Boat Tail bullet shows 2614 FPS at 70.3 of H1000 49,500 PSI, 2876 at 77.7 for 63,200, so they picked up 14,000 psi to gain 250 FPS. So at 80,000 PSI to make the bolt hard to lift, what velocity are you getting and how much more powder did you need to add.

Oh it could be quite a bit more than that. I shot proof loads through rifles and don't recall hammering bolts to get them open.

 

[xsn10s]

I imagine some of the talk about hammering bolts open was made in jest. At least I hope it was.

 

[Old Rooster]

A lot of good reloading points.
One that scared me was a big change in powder lot numbers.I can't remember the year but IMR changed the lot number of one of their powders and the mix must have been changed.I loaded the exact same load I always loaded and it was way too hot.I went over my notes and pulled the bullets on the remaining loaded rounds and they were on the money for my old loads.
From that point on when I buy powder and it's a different lot number I treat it as a new load process!I work it up until I get a start of pressure sign and back up .5 gr.Just a thought.

 

[hankle]

A lot of good reloading points.
One that scared me was a big change in powder lot numbers.I can't remember the year but IMR changed the lot number of one of their powders and the mix must have been changed.I loaded the exact same load I always loaded and it was way too hot.I went over my notes and pulled the bullets on the remaining loaded rounds and they were on the money for my old loads.
From that point on when I buy powder and it's a different lot number I treat it as a new load process!I work it up until I get a start of pressure sign and back up .5 gr.Just a thought.

Very good point!

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I imagine some of the talk about hammering bolts open was made in jest. At least I hope it was.

I'd like to agree, but a guy that shoots at my club regularly shoots high pressure loads in his Weatherby Mark V rifles. He keeps a fat wooden club (that looks like a table leg) on his shooting bench. I have seen him use it MANY times. He also has case head separations more than anyone I've ever known. He keeps a tool on his bench for that too.

Some guys are just reckless speed freaks.

 

[Rosebud]

Rosebud,

I'm using a Manson reamer. It is a .338RUM necked to 7mm, and using 7RUM brass to get an extra .100" of neck length.

Boss Hoss,

Right now I have powder, primers and bullets, but don't want to shot it until I can afford to get a new reamer and pay the 'smith. The new reamer will be the same except with a 40* shoulder. I think I will have Hornady make forming dies so I merely push the shoulder near the neck back and leave the body shoulder junction about where it is. (I think.)

Yeah, need the head space right on that! Can see how it would eat brass like crazy if its off.

 

[Taylorbok]

So for all you guys that stop when you get heavy or stuck bolt lift, and you know that you are more than 15,000 PSI over pressure to do that and maybe a whole bunch more than that at the stuck bolt stage, how many extra FPS are you getting by pushing the load that far over max. Just curious because I have never pushed a load to the sticky bolt stage.

Reason I ask is, for example, Hodgdon published data for a 300 Mag 220 grain Sierra Boat Tail bullet shows 2614 FPS at 70.3 of H1000 49,500 PSI, 2876 at 77.7 for 63,200, so they picked up 14,000 psi to gain 250 FPS. So at 80,000 PSI to make the bolt hard to lift, what velocity are you getting and how much more powder did you need to add.

I don't have an exact answer to your question but...
I had a buddy who wanted to shoot a reload from another friend. I cautioned against it but he wouldn't listen. I have no idea what the load was but same projectile. 28 Nosler, I stood back. It nearly locked up the action, pierced primer, ejector smear etc. and was only about 80fps faster than the load I had developed for him that was .5gr below first pressure signs which was right around max in the manual I had.

On another hand I have a 284 Win improved that I ran up a ladder test and took it until the bolt got a tiny bit tight just to see, that was about 150 fps faster than a load that is safe and good.

 

[Calvin45]

I don't have an exact answer to your question but...
I had a buddy who wanted to shoot a reload from another friend. I cautioned against it but he wouldn't listen. I have no idea what the load was but same projectile. 28 Nosler, I stood back. It nearly locked up the action, pierced primer, ejector smear etc. and was only about 80fps faster than the load I had developed for him that was .5gr below first pressure signs which was right around max in the manual I had.

On another hand I have a 284 Win improved that I ran up a ladder test and took it until the bolt got a tiny bit tight just to see, that was about 150 fps faster than a load that is safe and good.

Yeah there's no rhyme or reason to this sometimes but i sure wouldn't shoot someone else's reloads in my gun without knowing exact load data and comparing it to book.

I do push the envelope on my own loads in my guns sometimes…with much caution and paying attention (but I didn't buy a .300 win to have a warm .30-06 that's more powder hungry haha)

I would NEVER give hot reloads to anyone else for any reason at all. Not for money not for free not as a gift, nothing!

 

[Rosebud]

I'd like to agree, but a guy that shoots at my club regularly shoots high pressure loads in his Weatherby Mark V rifles. He keeps a fat wooden club (that looks like a table leg) on his shooting bench. I have seen him use it MANY times. He also has case head separations more than anyone I've ever known. He keeps a tool on his bench for that too.

Some guys are just reckless speed freaks.

As a retired paramedic I call guys like that job security. Did witness this in1981. Guy in our group had brought his reloads to 11000 feet in west elk wilderness in Colorado. Shot a spike elk and broke its spine. Was trying to finish it off but couldn't get the bolt open on his rem 700 7 mag. He took his 44 mag pistol shot the Elk and hit the bolt with the bottom of the grip of the pistol. Blown primer was stuck in the action. He got it open, but bottom of Ruger single action 44 looked ugly.
.

 

[xsn10s]

I'd like to agree, but a guy that shoots at my club regularly shoots high pressure loads in his Weatherby Mark V rifles. He keeps a fat wooden club (that looks like a table leg) on his shooting bench. I have seen him use it MANY times. He also has case head separations more than anyone I've ever known. He keeps a tool on his bench for that too.

Some guys are just reckless speed freaks.

I don't doubt you that there are guys like that.