105 A-Max pressure question

[long40shot]

Hey fellas,

I've got a Rem 700 VLS, it shoots the 105 a-max bullets really well. I narrowed down my favorite load to 42.5 grns of H4350. I am wondering if the pressures are too high to shoot it on a regular basis. The case shows no sign of over pressure, but the primer does flatten out a little bit. I have chronographed the load, it averages 3030 fps.

Thanks-

Matt Horn

 

[Steve Blair]

I assume you have a .243. The factors that must be known to provide an intelligent response are:

Cartridge
Barrel Length
Case capacity in grains of water (very helpful)
Seating depth or OAL

Take a look at the SWAG QuickLOAD PDF I attached.

 

[jo191145]

Assuming were speaking of your 243.
You are running a full 5 grains over hodgens data and in 243AI territory.
I'm not judging you as I've been known to hotrod cartridges if thats where I find the super accuracy node ;D
If the primers are not falling out after ten reloads I personally consider it safe. Thats just me tho.

Remember tho, The Remmy does not have a solid rear bolt like a Sav. If something goes pop folks might start calling you "Ol One Eye"
Just a little dig buddy but from what I've been told by one shooter at the local comps it has happened, to him. He had to learn to shoot a Sav left handed after that incident. Hence the need for Shooting glasses, no matter what you shoot.

 

[Preacher]

You are on the high side of weight for the .243 but seeing that they are all different and your not blowing primers your probably OK with it.
42.5 is the max load for a 100 gr Sierra in my Hornady book and I didn't check any other book..
Primers that appear a little flat are usually OK, but combine that with a hard bolt lift and you may be in the red zone... Probably not a good idea to shoot that in hot temps during the hot summer days..

 

[1000yardstare]

I shoot at 3050 fps with the 105 AMax in a .243 Savage 12FV. But that is with a compressed load of RL25, a powder much slower than H4350. Hope that gives you a reference to go by.

 

[Steve Blair]

I took a guess at fired case water capacity. According to QuickLOAD, the load is stiff but within acceptable limits. NEVER take what QuickLOAD or any other software says as gospel. I have seen specific examples where it predicted dangerously low.

 

[long40shot]

Sorry guys,

I am shooting a 243 Win in that rifle (sorry about that). Like I said, the primer does flatten a bit, but there is no hard bolt lift. I looked in my Hornady load manual and 42.5 grns is one grain over their max load. It shoots great, but the idea of catching a firing pin in the ole eyeball doesn't sound so great. I did a lot of load testing and the next best load I found was clear down at 37.5 grns of H4350. So I am thinkin about backin my load down a bit.

Thanks guys,

Matt

 

[Preacher]

Most rifles have 2 places they are really accurate at, one is on the high side of it and the other on the low side... If it will shoot as good at the lower node as it did on the high side, then thats the spot to be at... your barrel and powder jug will last a lot longer down there, and not much will tell the difference..

 

[long40shot]

Wise words spoken you have. Believe back my load down, I will.

-Matt

 

[long40shot]

Thanks Lynn,

Yes, I don't like the thought of slowing down my load, but the damaging my gun is a worse thought. I hope to shoot my reduced this weekend with the H4350, hopefully it will shoot as well as I remember. If does not, I will give the old RE22 a run.

-Matt