Yeah, newbie needs help. Too much powder?

G

GotAmmo

Member
Rating - 100%
16   0   0
Location
Swift Current, Sask
Hey guys, just went for my first cycle of reloading for my 260 rem, gonna see if I can't come up with something cheaper and more accurate than factory. Unfortunately I made a bit of a boo boo. Stuck some 142 smk's in to a case I had prepped for 120 noslers, containing 45 grs of h414. Max recommended is 43.5 with a pressure of 58,800 according to hodgedon loading center data. Now Im not asking anyone to recommend I fire these, but I have heard that these numbers are usually a bit conservative. Also the numbers are sometimes different depending which brand of load data you look at. So my question is this, does anyone have data from somewhere else they could add to my knowledge base? And if this load is too hot by a little bit, what kinda bad things might happen? I only loaded twenty like this, and if I have to I will buy a bullet puller and just recycle. So who out there would be willing to fire one of these in their gun, and if not, why?

Err also the same 142 smk with 4064 IMR - how much to use? Asked someone I know, he said use 37 grs. I couldnt find any real data but the 140 gr bullet is pretty close and that ones max is 36 grs so now after having loaded them up I am having doubts. Too much powder?

Thanks for your patience (and for not calling me a dam dangerous fool just cause im ignorant, I don't plan on shooting em until I get some solid info)
 
I'd like to offer some data but all I'm going to suggest is STOP what you're doing until you have a manual, and read it.
 
Agreed you need to read a manual. You also need to buy a bullet puller.
If you READ the Hodgdon site, 45gr H414 is 1/2gr under max for a 120gr bullet.
You should NEVER start that close to a max load, you gun may NOT be able to shoot that load, you could damage it an you, maybe even someone else.

If you READ a little further down, you will see where a max load with a 140gr bullet is 41gr of H414.

Pull those bullets.

And start at the starting loads, not the max loads, and work them up, But, READ a loading manual first.
 
Some friendly advice. Go buy a bullet puller. I would step back and re-evaluate your approach here. This being your first "cycle" I suggest you start from the beginning. Your reloading system has failed you already since you seated the wrong bullets. As 9x19P said purchase a manual (Hornady, Sierra, etc) and read and understand the sections in the beginning. I would hate to see your first rounds be your last because you injured yourself.

I'm sorry but I wouldn't fire any of your rounds based on what you have said. Perhaps you overlooked something else. How can I be sure that your powder measuring was even accurate, or seating depth is proper.

As for what could happen, maybe nothing, maybe you damage your rifle, maybe you damage yourself.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but there has to be a certain amount of respect given to the task you are performing.
 
ALL STOP! As stated above buy a manual and RFM front to back.
A bullet puller is one of the basic tools needed on your reloading bench, buy one.

The manuals have a starting load and a max load, not all rifles will handle the max load, proceed with caution when approaching these max loads.

Simple rules to follow when reloading...
Only one type of powder on the bench at a time
One type of bullet on the bench at a time
 
+1 on the bullet puller.

You can get an inertia puller (the hammer) quite inexpensively almost anywhere, it's fairly effective (if a bit annoying sometimes). It's also the only good way to open a round-nose pistol round.

There are also collet / press-mounted pullers, such as an RCBS, or my preferred Hornady (pics below). Both these types require purchasing the applicable calibre collet to grip the projectile, but I believe one of these is a great investment.

You'll find the RCBS collet puller on EE from time to time, and Higginson Powders has the Hornady. The CGN vendors can likely set you up as well.

While reloading, if at any time you feel unsure about a load, simply pull it apart, and reload it. It only takes one squib load, or one over-pressure load to really ruin your day. I have a small box of my "rejects", and as long as they all have the same powder, I pull them apart when I have a few, and recycle the components.


https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/Ma...oductDisplay&screenlabel=index&productId=3700

http://www.hornady.com/store/Cam-Lock-Bullet-Puller-1-Each
 
Ok thx guys. Was gonna get a book, but guess what? Can't find one anywhere within 100 kms. Can't even order one through local shops. Guess I'm gonna have to ebay or amazon this. I had a friend who (I thought) knew what he was doing to show me the ropes. Ok guys, full stop. Thanks.
 
GotAmmo said:
Ok thx guys. Was gonna get a book, but guess what? Can't find one anywhere within 100 kms. Can't even order one through local shops. Guess I'm gonna have to ebay or amazon this. I had a friend who (I thought) knew what he was doing to show me the ropes. Ok guys, full stop. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Its best to learn on your own with a bunch of reading. When loading, remember "its not a race". When in doubt, pull the loads apart and redo.
Don`t get me wrong, old world knowledge old timers give is golden, but its best to learn on your own. Also, never fire someone else`s "made loads". Not sure how many times I`ve heard that before. I don`t care how much some would be willing to pay me, I wouldn`t load for nobody....the responsibility and risk are too high.
 
GotAmmo said:
Ok thx guys. Was gonna get a book, but guess what? Can't find one anywhere within 100 kms. Can't even order one through local shops. Guess I'm gonna have to ebay or amazon this. I had a friend who (I thought) knew what he was doing to show me the ropes. Ok guys, full stop. Thanks.
Click to expand...
The ABC's of reloading is on Amazon as an E-book, the e-book readers are Free, the cost of the book is $2, you could start reading it today if you wanted!
 
Check some of the dealers at the top, you should be able to order loading manuals through them.

The ABCs Of Reloading is a great place to start. Then pick up a few others, my second book was the Hornady Handbook 8th Edition.

Read them each a few times, you'll be on track in no time.
 
roberti11 said:
The ABC's of reloading is on Amazon as an E-book, the e-book readers are Free, the cost of the book is $2, you could start reading it today if you wanted!
Click to expand...

$14 on Amazon, for the Kindle version. $17 for the Kobo version.

There's a Reloading 101 Kindle book on Amazon for 99-cents.

Actually, if you search "reloading" there's quite a few titles out there. "Making cartridge cases into other cases", "why guns blow up" (maybe that's the sequel :)

I'm going to have to peruse this list this weekend. Thanks for the heads up Roberti!
 
Leave them loaded. Start at min charge and work up. You might find that 45 grains is your accuracy node. Or you might find, for example, 43 grains is you max charge, in which case pull the bullets.

But yeah read a manual before going further. Or watch you tube vids.
 
+1 on the abc's of reloading ...read it all and then start reloading ..if in dought go back to the book ...better yet sit with someone who has alot of time in reloading that is willing to teach you ....your first guy is not the one ...he also needs to read the book

would hate to hear your first reloading expieriance was your last ...... the ABC'S i have is the Rodney james version
 
Last edited:
You have received some good advice from the posters here, so I won't repeat that again. What I will tell you is, in SOME cases, max charges are more conservative than they need to be. Why? Well, lawyers of course.:D

My experience (and mine alone, so take that FWIW) with 30-30 reloads has demonstrated what I believe maybe some really conservative numbers were put out my powder and bullet manufacturers, maybe because they're worried that hotter loads might damage some of the older actions out there.

Case in point, the new Hornady bullets. Data from Hornady listed that max loads for Reloder-15 to be 29.8 for 2050 fps. I was like Pfft! Really? But like a good boy, I started low and worked up to max. Frankly, the feeling at the shoulder was like...nothing. And well, accuracy was nowhere.

I kept working up, and finally found my accurate load to be 32.7 Grs. I had even tested loads up to 35 Grs, but found the most accurate to be 32.7 Grs. All the loads were compressed loads.

I also tested with Varget. 32.4 was max load listed. I went 10% over to 35.6, but saw no accuracy there. So I'm sticking with my RL-15.

I might try with LVR powder, which apparently gives the best accuracy and velocity...far, far more than any of the other powders.I might add, with all the loads I did, there were no apparent pressure signs on any of the casings. In fact, the Federal factory ammo kicked the HARDEST of all the loads I tried. Even the 10% over ones.

Your current load is about 5% over max. Its your gun, your face and your hands...so IOWs, your choice. :rolleyes: Whatever it is, make it an informed choice.
 
Too much powder

If you buy an inertia bullet puller buy 2 as they break when you need them the most. If you need a book just call me and I will lend you one they are actually a good read. If you need any help give me a call at 7410119

Edge
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom