I've been loading a few rounds for my 6.5 Creedmoor with some Hybrid 100V. Looked in my Hornady manual and started my loads with 41.4 grains and was working my way up .3 grains at a time. Last loads shot were 42.0 grains. The Hornady manual gives a max charge of 42.8 grains with a 140 BTHP. For some reason, I decided to look in some of my other manuals and noticed that no one else comes close to that load for max charge. Lee, Sierra, Nosler and even Hodgdon says a max charge of 40.0 - 40.4. Me, being a newbie, I'm still trying to figure out pressure signs. I had 5 rounds loaded at 41.7 and 5 loaded at 42.0, eight tenths shy of max according to Hornady. One of the five 42.0 grain charges looked to have a flat primer. No other marks and no hard bolt lift. (I wish I had a picture to share). Should I worry about the Hornady manual showing 2.4 - 2.8 grains heavier than the other manuals?
A question for Hybrid 100V users. Charge weight discrepancies
- Thread starter Lead Slanger
- Start date
CJ6
Silver $$ Contributor
It's not just the 100 V powder.....Hornady 243 has higher charge weights for heavier bullets VS lighter bullets. Notably with the ELD M bullets (higher charge weights). EG......the max for 100 V for 108 ELD M and 110 A Tip is 42.9 grs......95 SST (flat base) and 100 BTSP Interlock is 42.6. in the 103-105 class it's 41.6. Bearing length I'm sure has something to do with this. You are going to see variations from manual to manual and mistakes in manuals. That's why it's always good to have different sources to compare to, they won't be exact but close enough for reference and use. Component use is also an issue ...What one manual uses for bullets , cases, etc. is different from one manual to the next and that effects pressure.
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divingin
Gold $$ Contributor
This is why a lot of experienced reloaders say it's wise to have several load manuals, and consult them all before trying to something new (either a new caliber, or one you've loaded for with different components.)
As an aside, you should also check the books when getting loads from other people. A guy I know loaded some .22-250 rounds with a recipe from a buddy of his. Blew the case head, peppered his face with spattered material, cut his thumb. His buddy said, "Oh, yeah; that load was for 4064, not 4895" (I probably have the wrong powders, but the idea remains the same.) Always double check and make sure the load seems to be within reason.
As an aside, you should also check the books when getting loads from other people. A guy I know loaded some .22-250 rounds with a recipe from a buddy of his. Blew the case head, peppered his face with spattered material, cut his thumb. His buddy said, "Oh, yeah; that load was for 4064, not 4895" (I probably have the wrong powders, but the idea remains the same.) Always double check and make sure the load seems to be within reason.
A single source that has a vastly different load spec than other sources? Yes, I'd be concerned as well.
In my case, it was with the Superformance powder in the 6.5 Creedmoor caliber (click). That particular powder is listed in one source as being a good 3gr over that of other sources. Made me skittish, to say the least. But I slowly worked up a load that wasn't that far off the max load. I found it exceedingly worrisome that no other source showed that much powder for the same essential bullet type. I figure there were enough differences in barrel+bullet choices by the testers that it would explain most of that difference. Was able to get a decent load out of it, even if I was well beyond the loads suggested by every other source. With the Nosler RDF 6.5 140gr bullet, I was able to get better speeds compared to other bullets prior to reaching mild pressure signs. (Savage LRP 6.5CM, Shilen SSM 28" barrel, Nosler RDF 6.5 140gr, Lapua 6.5 SP, Superformance.)
Turned out fine. But I did approach the load development much more cautiously as I edged above the max loads those other sources listed. Was important to compare across several sources.
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You forgot the part where every manual says to start well below max and work your way up and look for pressure signs as you go. Rifles are different, some bores are tighter than others some cases have more capacity than others, powders from different lots are different. With all these variables how can anyone tell you what max is? This is just a suggestion, find an accurate load with no pressure signs and look no further. Max is different in every rifle, finding an accurate load is better than a max load.
This is the 9th edition. It says 42.8. It's funny they've backed off what they had published on max charge.
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That's exactly where I'm at. I'm new to this, so I want to be extra cautious. I took some pictures of the 42gr cases that I fired. I noticed one primer out of five is flatter than the rest. No other signs of pressure that are noticable to me.
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Lead Slanger, yes the case on the left has a slightly flatter primer, but still well within safety limits. When the rounded edges disappear it back off time. Same when you see ejector marks on the case head or stiff bolt opening.
Frank
Frank
Hardly a new scenario and been going on for decades which is why older loading manuals are valuable to us that need/want to push the limits.
CYA actions from powder producers are normal and who can blame them these days.
Thank you, sir. I was wondering what experienced eyes thought about the case on the left. It's the only one that looked different. They had no ejector marks and the bolt opened just like it's supposed to. I'm eight tenths off of the max charge according to my Hornady manual. Once I seen the other manuals max charges were under what I had already loaded and shot, I decided to try different powders until I talked to some experienced people. I appreciate the help.
I understand. That's the deal with these newer cartridges though, there is no older manuals. Haha
That's good to hear. I'll load some more up. I was going 3 tenths at time. I'll start working it up 2 tenths from here. Thank you.
ronsatspokane
Gold $$ Contributor
I don't see any pressure sign on that brass and your approach is correct, ease up by .2 or .3 grains until that pressure sign does appear.
That said, in my experience I have not had much luck with 100 V in that caliber. Back when H4350 was unobtainium I was looking for alternatives. I tried some 100 V and it appeared to behave like H4350. Took a bunch of loaded rounds that were derived from load dev to a national match where the temps were higher than they are up north that time of year. They shot terrible. Like 2 MOA at best. And unpredictable as well. I'd shoot, adjust, shoot again, no change, adjust again and it would jump 3 MOA. I though my scope was broken and was forced to withdraw. When I got home I tested those rounds and sure enough, it was not the scope, it was the temp change.
That said, in my experience I have not had much luck with 100 V in that caliber. Back when H4350 was unobtainium I was looking for alternatives. I tried some 100 V and it appeared to behave like H4350. Took a bunch of loaded rounds that were derived from load dev to a national match where the temps were higher than they are up north that time of year. They shot terrible. Like 2 MOA at best. And unpredictable as well. I'd shoot, adjust, shoot again, no change, adjust again and it would jump 3 MOA. I though my scope was broken and was forced to withdraw. When I got home I tested those rounds and sure enough, it was not the scope, it was the temp change.
6MMsteve
Gold $$ Contributor
Bergers will have less bearing surface I think, I was shooting 105 horn match in my 6xc after I shot 105 Ber Hyb and I got heavy bolt lift with same load, but I don't run hot loads which I am very greatful because I could of had some issues. I address and stew over loads quite often, consulting manuals and internet and burn rates and burn temp and temp outside...reloading manuals are confusing sometimes a 25 gr heavier bullet will call for more powder than say what u r using for a given load....it's not hard to compare charges just stay safe like your doing
I've read that about it. So far, all the rounds I have fired have been spread out over a month, but all fired at the same temperature. Still trying to figure out the shooter's, rifles and ammunitions capabilities. Haha! Ruger M77 MKII VT. 26" barrel with a brake. 99 rounds down the barrel. Best group so far, 5 shots at .707. I'm ready to get a chronograph so I can get serious about it.
Will do. Thanks for the info and comment, Sir.
Yea, app says 11th Edition.
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