Q: 300wsm,H4831SC,180 gr TSX

308BAR

308BAR

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Anyone have any experiece with loading the 300WSM with this powder?

I've loaded up following the Hodgon powder data:
180 GR. SFT SCIR Hodgdon H4831 .308" 2.860" 65.5 2775 52,000 PSI 70.0C 2929 64,000 PSI

The bullet is different and I from what I understand the TSX will likely produce lower pressures compared to the SFT SCIR.

I've loaded Winbrass, 70.0grs H4831sc, WLRM, COL: 2.889" rounds to test, I'm finding even using the drop tube finding it is compressing. Rifle is a T3.

The new Barnes 4# data does not contain this powder.

Would it be safe or recommend to exceed max or to get close 2900 FPS if I don't get it with 70grs of H4831? Are signs of pressure different for the 300WSM cartriges? Thoughts or advice?

Thanks if advance!!!!
308BAR
 
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308BAR said:
The bullet is different and I from what I understand the TSX will likely produce lower pressures compared to the SFT SCIR.
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Don't bet on it. I can run 3-4 grains higher with an Interbond in my .338, than with the TSX.

308BAR said:
I've loaded Winbrass, 70.0grs H4831sc, WLRM, COL: 2.889" rounds to test, I'm finding even using the drop tube finding it is compressing. Rifle is a T3.
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Why not start at 64gr and go up 1 gr at a time? Not good to start at max or higher.

I'll bet your max load is 67.5 or 68gr.;)
 
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blargon said:
Why not start at 64gr and go up 1 gr at a time? Not good to start at max or higher.

I'll bet your max load is 67.5 or 68gr.;)
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I would usually work up loads on 0.5gr, however I'm tired of chucking expensive copper, down the range, I don't mind pulling bullets if anyone cautions me from going max. :redface:

I've never had any problems with max loads in any of my rifles, TSX or what ever but hey I'll give the 67.5 and 68 grs a try to see how they do. :D
 
I don't think you have to, or should, ask other people about maximun loading in your rifle. If it is possible to do so, I think a good plan is to take your loading outfit to the range. When I am bulding up a load that way I use the same brass case, over and over. Like you, if I want to conserve bullets, I use only one case. I start out with a load I know it takes OK, then I load one more grain of powder and shoot it. I look for the usual signs of pressure, and consider two that apply without fail. If the bolt is a bit sticky on opening, I know I have a overload, and back off. However, one grain up from a known safe load certainly won't stick the bolt. So I load another load in the same brass, up another grain. Before the bolt may be felt stiff, the end of the brass case will appear shiny, where it has stuck a bit in the chamber before the bolt turned on it a bit and shined it up. Again, overload.
The reason I use the same case over and over, is because the sure sign, at least with that brand of brass, of a very heavy overload, is a swelling of the primer pocket. Thus I carefully feel if the primer goes in with normal pressure after each trial load. As a point of interest I have never swelled a primer pocket doing this and the case goes back with the rest.
I've told this before, but I will say it again. With my Husqvarna 30-06 I once went up grain at a time, five times. Thus, there were four grains difference between the lowest and the highest shot. I fired each shot at a target at 100yards. When I checked my target I discovered that all five shots had made a 1¼ inch group! Also, the top loading was too high pressure for my liking and I backed off to make an excellent load for my rifle. So much for this bit about getting the exact amount of powder, that your rifle "likes." Most important is to have your rifle properly bedded.
 
doing the ladder load workup over a chrony is a quicker way (cheaper) of finding a good accurate hunting load with a minimum of bullets downrange

Try 1 round each of 5 powder charges of 2 different likely to work powders and chrono them 10 rounds. Shoot two 3 shot groups with the two charges that gave the best velocity without pressure signs 12 more for 22 total. Then if you want shoot another 3rd and 5rd group with the one with the best accuracy and you still have 20 bullets out of a box of 50 to hunt with.
 
With large capacity cases I find it faster to go up in 1.0 to 1.5 grain increments from mid charge to published max. Once I find an acceptable load then I vary the powder charge, seating depth etc to fine tune it. starting at max is just plain bad management in my view.

44Bore
 
Thanks guys. Really appreciated the methodology of finding a load, the ladder technique, excellent.

Chucking boxes of bullets down range isn't fun, finding something that work in a rifle quick is. Thank you again.
 
Barnes #4 doesn't list that powder at all for the 180 gr TSX, for the 200 gr TSX it lists 65.5 grs max for 2720 fps. IT lists reloder 19 as the top powder at 69 grs.
 
martinbns said:
Barnes #4 doesn't list that powder at all for the 180 gr TSX, for the 200 gr TSX it lists 65.5 grs max for 2720 fps. IT lists reloder 19 as the top powder at 69 grs.
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My thought on this was that the max for the 200gr is 65.5, and I doubt that dropping to a 180gr would up the max load by 5gr, as other powders only change by 1.5-2gr for different bullet weights.

308BAR said:
Chucking boxes of bullets down range isn't fun.
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I disagree, I enjoy shooting.:) I buy one box to work up a load and one box to load for hunting, but I'm only loading for a few rifles, not dozens.
 
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Actually, I later shot my worked up loads over an Oehler 33 chronograph. My 165 grain Hornady bullets averaged 2912.
My 180 grain Norma bullets went 2810. My 200 grain Speer, and 200 Nosler partition, averaged 2715.
All of these loads are good, normal pressure loads in my rifle and I get good mileage from the brass.
Later, I got a copy of Bob Hagel's classic 1978 hard cover book, Game Loads and practical Ballistics for the American Hunter.
In his book he gives loads for his Sako Finnbear, 30-06, with 24 inch barrel. (My Husqvarna also has a 24inch barrel.)
His velocity figures tops mine, listed above, on all counts. His best figures were with Norma 205 with all three bullet weights. I had Norma 205 for the 200 grain bullets, then I ran out of 205! Here are his figures with 205.

165 grain Speer---2990
180 grain Nosler partition---2900
200 grain Speer ----2816
When he used 4350, H4831 and Norma 204, the same powders I used, his loads were just a bit better than mine.

These loads, and quite a few more, are all published in his book, showing the powder and load he used and the velocity achieved.
So, for those people who critisise me for loading my rifle up to somewhat more than the the modern loading manuals show, I guess I can use the argument that I am in good company!
 
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