Need an opinion.

J

JRodko

Regular
Rating - 100%
9   0   0
Location
Regina, SK
A little precursor info;

I have a harrell's premium bench rest powder measure that I've been using to load rounds for my .204.
I use a 39 grain speer TNT bullet with 27.5 grains of H4895 and have not really had any issue up until now. Was at the range the other day after loading 30 or 40 rounds and every 4th or 5th round the bolt was sticking a little bit. Also.. groups have opened up from about .5 of an inch to 1.25 inches give or take.

I don't know what to make of this.. I really haven't changed anything.. I did however notice that my powder thrower is tilted at a very slight angle the way it was mounted.. is it that important that these things be mounted completely level? I also often feel the H4895 "cut" when I drop the charge.. so maybe does H4895 not pour so well?

I have a little frankfurt arsenal scale that I use and most of the time it will say that my charges are exactly 27.5 grains but every once in a while they will be off by as much as an entire grain.

Any ideas?
 
Rifle had a bath lately? Sounds daft, I know but sometimes that's all it needs. Mind you, your load is 2/10 under max. Any other pressure signs? I'd be surprised if there are, but have as look at the cases for stretching etc.
 
How many times has that brass been re-used? I don't know anything about .204, but it being a bottleneck case would be my first point of interest, based on the bottleneck cases for the calibers I do reload and know about.
 
Brass has been used like 3 times tops and I always check the lengths. They are always well within acceptable size margins. Rifle was also clean as a whistle so I just don't know.
 
I'm not clear in your original post: Are you weighing each charge after dropping it?.....to be out a whole grain sometime is a lot, and could be showing up as a pressure sign if some rounds are sneaking through that way....certainly sounds like a lot of variance from a Harrel. Perhaps set it back a little, throw each charge, and trickle up. If you already are, then something else is going on with your load, not powder related.
The grains "cutting" is normal.
 
Didn't notice the 'most of the time' part about your scale. That's not good enough, even with non-compressed(those are nothing to worry about), well below max, loads. It really sounds like the thrower has dropped too much powder.
Pressure signs can include severely flattened primers as well as hard extractions and bolt sticking. You have any of the others?
Both the 4895's(H and IMR) are extruded powders and don't necessarily flow well through throwers. Doesn't make a lot of difference if a grain or two gets 'cut'.
 
Ok dudes thanks for the advice. I'm going to try to set up my thrower more level and weigh the charges again to see what's up. I think I'll also re check most of my brass. My primers are not flattened thankfully.
 
Don't trust your thrower with extruded powders, always weigh them after. I'm sure that's your problem.

Throw then weigh 10 charges. You'll see they're all over the map. Post back with results.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom