Hello all,
I’m working on my first batch of cartridges and would appreciate anyone willing to check for glaring safety errors before I fill, seat, and fire them. Other advice welcome of course.
Gun: Tikka T3x Stainless - 270 Win (All stock)
- 22.4” Barrel, 1:10 Twist, 20rds fired.
Primer: CCI #200
Powder: H4831 SC
Bullet: Berger Classic Hunter 140g
Brass: Unfired Starline
- Annealed
- Shoulders set to 1.948* (Fired brass from other ammo 1.951)
- Trim/cham/de-bur to OAL: 2.528** (SAMMI 2.520-2.540, trim length: 2.530)
- Flash holes de-burred
- Neck Tension: -0.002 set with 0.276 mandrel
- Initial seating depth:
- CBTO: 2.727 (-0.010 from lands)
- COAL: 3.334 (max mag ~3.410)
- Starting Charge: 52.0g
- Shooting temps: ~70° F
*I had 1.949 (-0.002) but it appears the die settled to 1.948 about 20 cases in so I reran those for consistency. Coincidentally 1.948 is SAMMI spec but I realize that’s not the target.
**About 12 pieces were 2.528 to start so I trimmed the rest to match rather than cull them. Bad choice?
I’d like to work up from min load of 52.0g to 55.0g in 0.5g increments looking for pressure signs. (Lee & Berger maximums are 58.0g/57.3g) If all looks good from there I plan to find rough seating depth (Berger method) at 55.0 while firing 50 pieces of brass before fine tuning powder charge and final seating depth.
This will primarily be used for whitetail out to 200yds and for shooting/reloading practice.
Thank you to all who have posted so much valuable info and anyone who reads and/or provides input.
MK