First reloads

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jkc

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I just got my new press going today and finally figured out the scale.

I put together some 75 grain hollow points for my 25/06. I checked my Sierra book and it said use between 54 and 59 grains of powder.(roughly) I thought that I would start in the middle. I used 57 grains of powder. I know you are supposed to work up to a load, but everyone I know, and most of what I read on this forum suggest the biggest loads work the best. Anyways I decided to start in the middle.

I weight the powder and poured it in the case. It looked pretty full. I put on the bullet and seated it. I picked up the case and shook it. The powder is loose inside. Is this normal?

I don't remember ever getting factory ammo with loose powder. Is there a problem?
 
jkc said:
I checked my Sierra book and it said use between 54 and 59 grains of powder.(roughly) I thought that I would start in the middle. I used 57 grains of powder. I know you are supposed to work up to a load, but everyone I know, and most of what I read on this forum suggest the biggest loads work the best. Anyways I decided to start in the middle.
Click to expand...

I mean this in the nicest possible way: you need to read more of the threads in here, and most especially you need to re-read your loading manual. You said it yourself: "I know you're supposed to work up a load..."
Please, go over everything again, make sure you understand it thoroughly, check and double check, and begin at the lowest load your manual suggests and work up your load.
I suggest you try this: http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/reloading-load-tuning-1.php
Jerry is a regular here (mysticplayer) and he knows whereof he speaks. Oh, and welcome to reloading! :D
 
The powder is H4831 sc. I thought that this would be normal, but, I don't remember reading this in any of the reloading books I read.(sierra, hornady, and Lee....all early copies so maybe they didn't publish this small piece of information)

I read that a good way of working up loads is to load 7 of each of a round number. Ex. 7 loaded to 54. 7 shells loaded to 55. 7 shells loaded to 56..... shoot each set and record the results. Whichever load produces the best results start there and load another 7 of each to the tenth.(0.10 grains) Maybe this isn't true either though.

I agree that reading will provide one with an abundance of information. But, if you really want a question answered, just ask.

I only put together 7 shells so far. I will follow the advice I have been given and load back toward the starting point (54 grains as the chart suggests) I'll start there and look for signs of pressure.

Thanks for all the free advice.
 
jkc, you are doing good. The old loading charts never showed a starting figure. They just showed the charge weight that should give about the same pressure and velocity as a factory loaded cartridge. That is what the top figure, now called "maximum," in todays loading manuals is supposed to do, give about the same pressure and velocity as a factory loaded cartridge.
The old books sometimes suggested loading the first ones about 5% under. Yours are nearly 4% under.
4831 is a great powder for your 25-06. There are many ways to create dangerous pressure levels in a cartridge. But loading 4831 to the level shown in a modern loading book is not likely one of the ways!
Also, with 4831 you will likely get best accuracy, like you suggested, at a full pressure load.
 
Well thanks for the pat on the back. I don't know too much about reloading, and haven't fired any of my reloads yet. Most of what I have read suggests to start at the lowest levels. I thought that there must be a lawyer factor in these books, and if its in published print, all these levels must be safe.

I consulted three books, but only two had information on the 75 grain bullets I wanted to use. They were both the same, so I went with those numbers.

I have a lot to learn and hope to have success with what I have done.
 
load development

dont forget to document all your load data, including case overall length, trim length and loaded overall length. Have you measured the magazine of your rifle to determine a max overall length for you firearm...

I have a load built for my TC Prohunter in 7mm-08 Rem and my seating depth is WAY longer than any reloading manual states because my rifle has alot of free bore...my OAL is 2.910 vs a max OAL of 2.800 in my manuals, the 2.910 is 10thou off the lans...but wickedly accurate with a 1/2 grain off max load of VArget...with a chronied fps of 3050 fps which puts it into the 7mm-08 Rem AI category...with less recoil and powder...

My point is its more than just amount of powder that determines accuracy of a reload...after all my TC wont shoot factory ammo since its all loaded to 2.800...just a few more tidbits of info for u...

Take care
 
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