Ok, so I need some input;
I'm not new to reloading, just FYI. I know most of the conventional wisdom, advice, rules of thumb, how brass expands etc. (Bigred51.....you don't have to start posting pictures
)
But some days I just constantly second guess myself.
I'm shooting in my Tikka T3 24" barrel, 1-11" twist:
168 AMAX
43.7 Gr Varget (last lot of powder was 44gr, this lot is faster)
Lapua cases
CCI 200 primers
~2680fps
Neck sized only.
Under normal circumstances, the primers have no cratering, they lose their rounded edge a little... (not as bad as federal factory ammo primers mind you), and one might be able to detect the faintest ghosting of an ejector mark. No stiff/sticky lift. 44gr is the Hornady book max, so it seems that in my rifle, their numbers are fairly close (although they call for 2600fps).
This load has served me fairly well for several years.
But about a year ago, shooting in a match where the ammo got reasonably wet from the rain, I got more noticeable ejector marks. And after a 10-12 round string, bolt lift was marginally more stiff than before. Upon reloading the cases, I did not notice the primer pockets being noticeably looser than they should be.
While I realize this increased pressure is likely due to water not compressing and the cases accelerating into the bolt face faster than normal, it has caused me to second guess my load.
My fear is that I have a load that may prove 'excessive' in inclement weather.
So most of you will probably say: "so back off your load". And I can't say I totally disagree with that sentiment.
But on the other hand, maybe I'm being overly paranoid. I've been known to be that at times.
When I got the new batch of powder, I backed off to 43 and worked up to 43.9, and accuracy was best at 43.7-43.8. 43-43.6 was 'enh'.
Do I back down even further to 41.5 and work back up again?
I'm not new to reloading, just FYI. I know most of the conventional wisdom, advice, rules of thumb, how brass expands etc. (Bigred51.....you don't have to start posting pictures
)But some days I just constantly second guess myself.
I'm shooting in my Tikka T3 24" barrel, 1-11" twist:
168 AMAX
43.7 Gr Varget (last lot of powder was 44gr, this lot is faster)
Lapua cases
CCI 200 primers
~2680fps
Neck sized only.
Under normal circumstances, the primers have no cratering, they lose their rounded edge a little... (not as bad as federal factory ammo primers mind you), and one might be able to detect the faintest ghosting of an ejector mark. No stiff/sticky lift. 44gr is the Hornady book max, so it seems that in my rifle, their numbers are fairly close (although they call for 2600fps).
This load has served me fairly well for several years.
But about a year ago, shooting in a match where the ammo got reasonably wet from the rain, I got more noticeable ejector marks. And after a 10-12 round string, bolt lift was marginally more stiff than before. Upon reloading the cases, I did not notice the primer pockets being noticeably looser than they should be.
While I realize this increased pressure is likely due to water not compressing and the cases accelerating into the bolt face faster than normal, it has caused me to second guess my load.
My fear is that I have a load that may prove 'excessive' in inclement weather.
So most of you will probably say: "so back off your load". And I can't say I totally disagree with that sentiment.
But on the other hand, maybe I'm being overly paranoid. I've been known to be that at times.
When I got the new batch of powder, I backed off to 43 and worked up to 43.9, and accuracy was best at 43.7-43.8. 43-43.6 was 'enh'.
Do I back down even further to 41.5 and work back up again?
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