Powder/Barrel/Bullet Corrolation Question

[CreamySmooth]

Ok... Issue I'm having to sort out....

I've recently bought 2 more Savage Light Weight Hunters for my 2 boys. Ones 9, won't get his to til 12, other is now taking his Firearms Course/Hunters Safety.

I bought them in 6.5-284 Norma because that's what I have, it's proven very handy and effective on moose and Elk, and I love the cartridge. This way we all have the same rifle.

So until they are bigger I want to load down for them. I use 140 Bergers but decided on the best low weight hunting bullet I could get for them. 100 grain Nosler Partitions.

Now here's my issue...

To load down should I use the same H4350 I use, or RL19, which is faster burning, or even faster burning Varget? My thought being in the short 20 inch barrels will it be more beneficial to use a faster burning powder to lose less velocity? Or will a slower powder get me better results, as they show overall faster speed in the 26 inch barrel the manual lists? (Nosler data).

Probably didn't need the lengthy run up to the actual question.

C.

 

[MuthaFunk]

I'm not speaking from experience but I've read of a lot of people using powders like Red Dot and Unique to successfully build gallery loads like that. From their experience I'd say your likely better off with a pistol powder.

 

[bigedp51]

I would use H4895 or Trail Boss for any reduced loads, I would not try to use H4350 or any of the slower burning powders.

https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/H4895%20Reduced%20Rifle%20Loads.pdf

https://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-Reduced-Loads%20R_P.pdf

 

[Ganderite]

Of the powders you mentioned, my choice would be the Varget.

 

[sparkiei1981]

Look into H4831 you can use it from 142gr sie hpbt to 95gr hdy vmax save some money by using one type of powder

 

[burnaby]

Just started load testing for my Tikka 260 Rem CTR, 20" barrel.
139grs Lapua Scenar, 35.0 Varget, 35.5 VAR, 39.7 H4350
123grs Lapua Scenar 35.5, 36, 36.5 Varget

Surprising all six 5-shot groups were ~0.56" at 100m. Happy given it is a 1moa guarantee rifle.
Will put the magnetoSpeed on it next to get mv, es, sd.

Saw in a chart that H4350 is still burning when bullet exits 22" barrel muzzle. If so then be worst for 20" barrel.
Planning on using H4350 only if it gives faster mv; otherwise might as well use Varget, less powder.

Too bad out of H4350 so testing on that will have to wait.

 

[CreamySmooth]

Of the powders you mentioned, my choice would be the Varget.

Ok that's what I was suggesting. But for what reason? My thought being faster burning powder would be better because of the short barrel?

 

[Ganderite]

Ok that's what I was suggesting. But for what reason? My thought being faster burning powder would be better because of the short barrel?

Barrel length has nothing to do with it.

You said you wanted to load down. Presumably to reduce recoil for the kids.

If you reduce the powder charge of a slow powder, you reduce pressures below the level that gives a clean and uniform burn. You can get dirty and erratic results.

By switching to a faster powder, like Varget, the powder is burning at higher pressures, like it was designed to.

You could go a step faster, with 4895, too.

 

[CreamySmooth]

Barrel length has nothing to do with it.

You said you wanted to load down. Presumably to reduce recoil for the kids.

If you reduce the powder charge of a slow powder, you reduce pressures below the level that gives a clean and uniform burn. You can get dirty and erratic results.

By switching to a faster powder, like Varget, the powder is burning at higher pressures, like it was designed to.

You could go a step faster, with 4895, too.

Yeah ok. Gotcha. I suppose my error in accuracy. I'm not going to load down that far. I was more thinking beginning loads in the Nosler manual. Just that 10% starting margin.

Am I correct though that for a shorter barrel it would be better with the faster powders so I'm not losing out the end like I would with slower burns? I'm thinking 44 grn Varget or 54 grn R19, the start loads in the manual.

 

[Ganderite]

The unburned slow powder does not matter.

If you want max power, go with the slow powder.

If you want Start load power, go with a faster powder, and load up till you get what you want.

 

[Andy]

Barrel length has nothing to do with it.

You said you wanted to load down. Presumably to reduce recoil for the kids.

If you reduce the powder charge of a slow powder, you reduce pressures below the level that gives a clean and uniform burn. You can get dirty and erratic results.

By switching to a faster powder, like Varget, the powder is burning at higher pressures, like it was designed to.

You could go a step faster, with 4895, too.

I fear that the "short barrels require fast powders and slow powders require long barrels" myth is here to stay. I've grown weary of my attempts to dispel it but applaud you for a solid post on that subject.