I was wondering if someone could help this relative noob regarding this particular rifle round understand an issue that has me puzzled. My friend and I each have a 416 Barrett bolt rifle for which we are hand loading. We are both using the same Ruag brass prepped identically (neck turned, sized, neck tension, etc.: factory non-fired brass) with CCI 50 BMG primers to the same seating depth for both primers and bullets with the same bullets being used. The chambers were made by different reamers and are different actions but still firing the same brass and bullets. The thing is, when I reach 185 grains of VV 20N29 I have a devil of a time opening the bolt (primers flattened with very mild ejector marks.) He, however, does not encounter that situation until 190 grains of the same powder. Obviously, I would like to obtain as much velocity as possible to maintain supersonic flight for as long as possible. Why would the same round behave so differently regarding pressure issues at different powder amounts for two different actions yet those actions were cut for the same round, and when essentially the same round is fired from the two guns there is such a large pressure difference. Any insight would be appreciated regarding this issue and I fully admit my ignorance regarding the finer points of pressure spikes relating to different chambers with the same round. I want to learn so I have no issue with basic information or more in-depth information. Obviously, my primary concern is to maintain safety at all times as these are big rounds with the potential for devastating adverse consequences. I have been reloading for 10 years for 338 lapua down to 6.5 creedmore but the 416 Barrett poses a unique challenge in terms of equipment and ballistics and I am new to this round.
Thank you
Dan
Thank you
Dan
