Loading On The Edge- Reading Pressure Signs

Gatehouse

Gatehouse

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Most handloaders are pretty ho hum about high pressures. Basically, they are a bit conservative, so the only time they get pressure signs is when they much something up.

Luckily, there is another type of handloader, too- One that wants to get maximum performance form his rifle and load. Guys like you and I. *Real* men. NOT wussys.

Here is a normal work up and some info about reading the pressure signs.

When you get to this point, most guys back off a few grains and call them max. Not us, though...Check this case:

IMG_0817-copy.jpg


The primer looks pretty good, but there is a small ejector mark on the case head, and probably a little sticky extraction. Nothing to worry about, time to add a bit more powder!


This next case clearly shows what a wussy loader woudl call "over pressure" The primer is flattened, and there is a clear ejector stamp on the case head. Would have taken a good tug on the bolt handle to open the action, but we are getting close to the performance we want. We need another grian of powder...

IMG_0816-copy.jpg



This next case has blown out the primer, and there is a clear, distinct ejector stamp on the case head. At this point, many loaders wil call it a day. Blown primers- for some reason- seem to scare some guys. It's fine. Just make sure you are wearing safety glasses and it's gonna be all right. We need to add some more powder!


IMG_0815-copy-copy.jpg


Here is a case showing where we want to be. You can tell we have achieved optimum performance levels, because the primer has disintegrated, and we've past the point of simply ejector marks on the case head, and moved towards completely removing the case head markings. We may get a bit more performance if we added more powder, but extracting the cases is getting tough, so we will leave it there.

IMG_0814-copy-copy.jpg


Remember- More powder is a GOOD thing, and most importantly- DOn't let wussy reloaders try to dissuade you from going well past the realms of sanity. Nobody ever got anywhere by being a wuss.Just DO IT!!









*****None of my brass was harmed to bring you this important post. Found them at the range**********:rockOn:
 
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Those loads appear to be a bit hot - for fireforming.

Reloading is simple. Just fill the case and go. I like Unique, as it gives me real high velocities and kicks real hard. Oh yea, and it hits "Like the Hammer of Thor".

Here's a pic of my typical cases before and after firing.

Eaton_Carcano_Blown_Case.jpg
 
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That's great Gate! :D

I had similar results once when I loaded an '06 with a double load of 4759 (50 grs) behind a 200 gr cast bullet. :bangHead: :bangHead: I was shooting prone over a chronograph, and it went something like: Bang - 1812, Bang - 1825, Boom - 2856! I had to beat the action open with a 2X4, the head stamp was permanently stamped into the bolt face, the primer was in the bottom of the magazine, and the head of the cartridge was greatly compressed and the primer pocket grotesquely enlarged and out of round. My shooting companion on that day was an elderly retired gunsmith whose single comment was, "You lucky SOB!" The rifle was a M-17 Enfield, which continued to give good service for several more years, until I lost it in a fire.
 
Andy said:
Those loads appear to be a bit hot - for fireforming.

Reloading is simple. Just fill the case and go. I like Unique, as it gives me real high velocities and kicks real hard. Oh yea, and it hits "Like the Hammer of Thor".
Click to expand...

Andy, yu are ont he rigth track there. Clarly, you haven't fallen into the trap of wussification of handloaders!:shotgun:
 
Boomer said:
That's great Gate! :D

I had similar results once when I loaded an '06 with a double load of 4759 (50 grs) behind a 200 gr cast bullet. :bangHead: :bangHead: I was shooting prone over a chronograph, and it went something like: Bang - 1812, Bang - 1825, Boom - 2856! I had to beat the action open with a 2X4, the head stamp was permanently stamped into the bolt face, the primer was in the bottom of the magazine, and the head of the cartridge was greatly compressed and the primer pocket grotesquely enlarged and out of round. My shooting companion on that day was an elderly retired gunsmith whose single comment was, "You lucky SOB!" The rifle was a M-17 Enfield, which continued to give good service for several more years, until I lost it in a fire.
Click to expand...

That must have woken you up in the morning!:D




I htink that most of us have hit the wall at some time, with some load. It's what we do wih tthis information that is interesting.:p
 
It's really important to show our manlyness when shooting handloads. whatever you do when you get to "book max" make sure to take off your safety glasses, everyone will think you are a pussy of you dont.
 
Gatehouse said:
I htink that most of us have hit the wall at some time, with some load. It's what we do wih tthis information that is interesting.:p
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Exactly, I would've backed off a half grain or so from that final 8mm Mag load
 
Didn't think you were so sensationalistic, Gatehouse, it's quite obvious that brass was defective and that load would have been fine otherwise.......
 
anyone want to buy a slightly used 8mm Mag, only about 50 rounds fired, I'm selling it because I want ot buy a 325WSM for bear hunting. The old 8mm just dont have the poop. :D even with handloads :eek:


:bangHead:
 
have you ever tried to measure case head expansion to find max loads, or working up using a chrony?

i don't quite have the nerve to work them up until the case disintegrates.
 
rmkm70 said:
have you ever tried to measure case head expansion to find max loads, or working up using a chrony?

i don't quite have the nerve to work them up until the case disintegrates.
Click to expand...


...And that is why you would be labeled a limp wristed wussy boy..:slap:
 
Clearly the problem here is they don't know the tamping secret.
Take a metal rod the diameter of the case neck and tamp it down into the powder charged case until the powder is either hard as a rock or looks more like suit than powder. This will give a person much more room for more powder.
After this, one need never worry about being called a wussy again.:cool:

Gate, did you find any exploded gun parts lying around within an 80 foot radius of the bench?
 
Noel said:
Clearly the problem here is they don't know the tamping secret.
Take a metal rod the diameter of the case neck and tamp it down into the powder charged case until the powder is either hard as a rock or looks more like suit than powder. This will give a person much more room for more powder.
After this, one need never worry about being called a wussy again.:cool:

Gate, did you find any exploded gun parts lying around within an 80 foot radius of the bench?
Click to expand...

Don't worry about running out of room for more powder, the powder burning rate table in the sticky can help you out here. Once you've compressed and tamped, then be scientific, choose a powder 10 or 15 places lower in number and try again. Maybe use a heavier bullet and magnum primer. Wussie's need not apply.

NormB
 
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