Loading for my auto SAFN49 8MM where do i start??

[maxinumarmor]

I am going to try and do some hand loading for my fn49 8mm never loaded for a auto before the gas system is ajustable so it should give me a wide birth powder on hand is IMR 4350,H380,AND H414 or do in need something else?I am going to try some 150 BTSP Hornadys with some CCI 250s any help getting off to a good start would be great from the rolling masters?

 

[teenahlake]

just make sure you reset the gas system whenever you change loads

 

[maxinumarmor]

The powder i have has a good enough middle of the road burn for a auto feed?

just make sure you reset the gas system whenever you change loads

 

[smellie]

Slow powder plus heavy bullet is a recipe for disaster in many semi-autos and the SAFN is definitely in this group.

Miltary loads always used fast powders: 3031, 4895.

PORT PRESSURE is the sticking-point here. The SAFN gas system will adjust to handle most any load you can come up with but you MUST adjust it for the ammo.

First symptom of trouble is a deeply-indented primer on the next round. Next symptom of trouble is the rifle doubling on you. Let this start happening and the rifle CAN self-destruct on you.

Gas system on the SAFN is adjusted with the sleeve which is hidden under the forward top handguard. Correct adjustment is with the fired brass just clearing the ejection port..... and this holds for ANY load whatsoever.

SAFN takes a constant amount of gas and BLEEDS what it doesn`t need to operate the rifle. If your ejection is too brisk, you OPEN the bleed-off (little hole which the adjustment sleeve partly blocks; you can see into it with the handguard off) until it is correct. If the rifle doesn`t operate fully, you CLOSE the bleed by CLOSING the little hole, a couple of notches at a time. There is a special TOOL for this job, but you can use a Ball round if you are careful. Pliers are a SUPER no-no!!!!!

Works.

Hope this helps.
.

 

[Boomer]

I agree with smellie, use a powdwer with a burning rate in and around that for 4895, 4064, with 3031 being about as fast as you should consider.

 

[maxinumarmor]

Is any of those powers i have and listed above doable and the only charge weights i can find are for a 8mm 98m bolt action how do you deside on powder weights or are they close to the same starting on the low side?

 

[Boomer]

If it were me, I'd work up to 50 grs of IMR-4895 behind a 150 gr bullet. That will give you about 2750 fps and should be pretty accurate.

 

[maxinumarmor]

[work up to] so say start a 40grs and work up to 50grs?

If it were me, I'd work up to 50 grs of IMR-4895 behind a 150 gr bullet. That will give you about 2750 fps and should be pretty accurate.

 

[Boomer]

That would work, although I think I would start around 43 grs.

 

[maxinumarmor]

Thanks.As long as i keep it between 37 000 and 50 000 CUP with this H4895 powder i'm good to go with this rifle?[The IMR4895 is 200fps slower]
Also i like to use the CCI250 mag primers or should i back off to a CCI200 standard to keep my pressures from going up higher?

Has anyone used that Hodgdon CFE 223 powder i just noted it is 200 fps faster at the same pressure low end couldn't find the burn rate though?

That would work, although I think I would start around 43 grs.

 

[Boomer]

I use magnum primers almost exclusively, its just simpler for me to stock one type due to where I live. I haven't seen any disadvantage from the practice in practical terms, although the theory is that the best accuracy is realized with the least amount of primer violence that will reliably ignite the powder. A lot of gas gun guys seem to like the CCI #34,#35, and #41 line of military primers due to the thick cup which is said to be a detriment to slam fires in military rifles.

I'm not familiar with CFE 223 powder, although a quick look at the applications for it suggests a burning rate similar to Winchester 748. Being a ball powder you might prefer to use a magnum or the appropriate military primer for your application. When using an untried powder, work up your load carefully being alert to any warning signs, and don't proceed with the expectation of great velocity gains previously unobtainable. There's no free lunch and assuming you can keep adding powder until you see a 200 fps increase in performance is the quickest way you can find yourself shopping for a new rifle.

 

[maxinumarmor]

That CFE223 powder i think is fairly new and there isn't much info on it so i'm staying with what works maybe when there is more positive info on it i may try it.My dad and i have used CCI250s since we started reloading in 1980 and never had a problem but i had to ask because we got alot of guys telling us we were going to blow our heads off one day due to the way they ignite thinking of our 308s we carryed 99c and m88 lever rifles or 303s but our loads have always been on the low side of the chart with no problem at all for many years.A auto loader rifle is new ground for me and it's aways good to ask people that have loaded for those so you can get off to a good start safely thanks again for all the help.

I have had no slam fires problems myself but i have a 2 piece firing pin and i keep on top of things to make sure my bolt and firing pin are in top shape and clean all good so far.

I use magnum primers almost exclusively, its just simpler for me to stock one type due to where I live. I haven't seen any disadvantage from the practice in practical terms, although the theory is that the best accuracy is realized with the least amount of primer violence that will reliably ignite the powder. A lot of gas gun guys seem to like the CCI #34,#35, and #41 line of military primers due to the thick cup which is said to be a detriment to slam fires in military rifles.

I'm not familiar with CFE 223 powder, although a quick look at the applications for it suggests a burning rate similar to Winchester 748. Being a ball powder you might prefer to use a magnum or the appropriate military primer for your application. When using an untried powder, work up your load carefully being alert to any warning signs, and don't proceed with the expectation of great velocity gains previously unobtainable. There's no free lunch and assuming you can keep adding powder until you see a 200 fps increase in performance is the quickest way you can find yourself shopping for a new rifle.