I'm fairly new to reloading and have had difficulty finding powders and bullets as well as data to match but did come across some H4895 that fits all my applications (including the .204) so I bought some to get started. Also found some 32gr HDY VMAX bullets and Hodgdon data so everything looked good. I'm using new Winchester cases which I ran through the resizer anyway because some of the necks had little dings in them. I wanted to make sure they were perfect.
Heres' Hodgdon's data:
32 GR. HDY V-MAX H4895 .204" 2.250" 27.0 3669 40,500 PSI 29.0C 3980 51,100 PSI
The recommended starting point is 27.0gr and the max is a compressed 29.0gr charge. I read this article (http://www.reloadbench.com/gloss/compress.html) on compressed charges and it says that a charge is acceptably compressed so long as the bullet still seats to proper depth (2.250") and does not creep forward over a period of 24hrs. In my case, all loads are at the same seating depth that they were 2 days ago when I loaded them. None have been fired yet.
I have loaded groups of 27.0gr, 27.3, 27.6, 27.9, 28.2 and 28.5 but nothing past that. You see, 28.5 fills the case to the brim. This makes me worry that my Lee powder measure is not functioning properly, or that the Winchester cases simply don't hold as much as others might?
I am not bent on getting the maximum load in the case, I'm just concerned that I've overlooked something. If Hodgdon says that 29.0 grains is the acceptable limit, but I can't fit that much in my case, something is out of whack.
Any insight you have would be appreciated!
Heres' Hodgdon's data:
32 GR. HDY V-MAX H4895 .204" 2.250" 27.0 3669 40,500 PSI 29.0C 3980 51,100 PSI
The recommended starting point is 27.0gr and the max is a compressed 29.0gr charge. I read this article (http://www.reloadbench.com/gloss/compress.html) on compressed charges and it says that a charge is acceptably compressed so long as the bullet still seats to proper depth (2.250") and does not creep forward over a period of 24hrs. In my case, all loads are at the same seating depth that they were 2 days ago when I loaded them. None have been fired yet.
I have loaded groups of 27.0gr, 27.3, 27.6, 27.9, 28.2 and 28.5 but nothing past that. You see, 28.5 fills the case to the brim. This makes me worry that my Lee powder measure is not functioning properly, or that the Winchester cases simply don't hold as much as others might?
I am not bent on getting the maximum load in the case, I'm just concerned that I've overlooked something. If Hodgdon says that 29.0 grains is the acceptable limit, but I can't fit that much in my case, something is out of whack.
Any insight you have would be appreciated!
Are you not weighing your powder with a scale? If you're expecting consitent charges (typical of a varmint rig) from a powder measure, I think you'll be disappointed. I have a Lee powder measure that I use to throw a charge that just barely tips the beam on my scale, and I use a powder trickler to top it up. However I would never trust volumetric measuring alone, at least not on extruded powder. If I tap the measure on the side while throwing a charge it'll be a few grains heavier.
