Close call with Nosler .243 load data

[uncle-buck]

A couple of months ago, I loaded some Nosler 55 gr. Varmageddon HP bullets in .243 using H414 and Nosler's published load data on the web. Long story short, I ended up with a blown primer and other obvious pressure signs so I stopped shooting it immediately.

Just checked it in QuickLoad and the published starting load of 48.5 grains of H414 is already in the danger zone with an indicated Pmax of 52,760 psi. What the heck?!

Am I missing something - or is Nosler's load data incorrect?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Was the data for varmageddon hp bullets exactly or just a 55gr load datasheet?

 

[uncle-buck]

Was the data for varmageddon hp bullets exactly or just a 55gr load datasheet?

That particular bullet and others are listed on that load data sheet.

 

[dellet]

Something is goofy.
Always worth checking a couple sources. Hodgdon data for the Nosler ballistic tips has their max loads as 48.4 and 50 with a longer COL. than what Nosler lists for the same Balastic tip bullet. Pressure at max load is 57,800.

 

[jimmymac]

Good thing you were smart enough to stop. I was curious so I checked my Nosler book. Unfortunately, Nosler 7 doesn’t list H414 in that bullet weight. Are you using an older book? It’s possble they caught their error and eliminated the load from the book.

 

[Lefty Trigger]

Nosler does list that load at 48.5gr start, 50.5gr mid, 52.5gr max and it is also listed as their most accurate powder at the 52.5gr load. All loads at 2.510 coal. I have come across stuff like this before loading for the .223. Check other manufactures and compare data and see if they are even close. Hodgdon does list that powder at a max of 50.0gr with a Nosler 55gr bullet at 2.650 coal.

 

[uncle-buck]

Good thing you were smart enough to stop. I was curious so I checked my Nosler book. Unfortunately, Nosler 7 doesn’t list H414 in that bullet weight. Are you using an older book? It’s possble they caught their error and eliminated the load from the book.

Was using load data published on their website.

 

[JRS]

Are you using Nosler brass?

 

[uncle-buck]

Are you using Nosler brass?

No. Lapua

 

[JRS]

No. Lapua

The data is based on the use of Nosler brass.

 

[wbm]

The data is based on the use of Nosler brass.

It can make a big difference.

 

[uncle-buck]

The data is based on the use of Nosler brass.

I can read, too.

My Lapua cases hold 54.0 grains of water. The Nosler case listed holds 53.9 grains of water. Do you actually believe that 1/10 grain difference is material?

If you don't use QuickLoad or understand this issue, please refrain from further comments. Thank you.

 

[sawcarver]

What's your COAL? Was it raining or water on bullets or in the barrel when you blew the primer?

 

[243winxb]

If it wasnt different brass?

Starting loads perform better with magnum primers using ball powders.

Neck tension- if to light, the bullet moved to soon, causing a pressure spike. Acted like a pluged barrel.

COL- to long, lack of bullet shank in contact with the neck. Low neck tension, long bullet jump to the rifling.

Nosler load data is "generic". There data should not cover all types of bullets in the same weight class.

Hodgdon data has 48.4 gr as maximum for Nosler BT LF bullets. A clue to the mystery.

 

[AckleymanII]

Here is what all need to understand about nosler and all other loading manuals.

Their test results printed was with their test barrel, their lot# of powder! This load data is not meant to be safe in every barrel on planet Earth.

If you consult 5 different loading manuals, you will see 5 different max loads, so you can certainly see how barrels and lot # can differ.

There are certainly faster and slower lot# of powder, you have to back off and work up to any Max load listed in any load manual.

 

[tydaws]

Here is what all need to understand about nosler and all other loading manuals.

Their test results printed was with their test barrel, their lot# of powder! This load data is not meant to be safe in every barrel on planet Earth.

If you consult 5 different loading manuals, you will see 5 different max loads, so you can certainly see how barrels and lot # can differ.

There are certainly faster and slower lot# of powder, you have to back off and work up to any Max load listed in any load manual.

What Ackley Said...

 

[uncle-buck]

What Ackley Said...

Some of you guys are missing my point.
The loads listed on Nosler's website are way off, and not even close to being correct!

 

[Don_Parsons]

Yes, good idea to look at a few sources of load data before making the batch.

Hornady Web site and their book had 2 different "Max" loads for the same combination of bullet case primer published,,, even then I learned long ago to find max pressure reading on my own,,, then tap it back from there to be on the safe side of things.

Less barrel burn and wrecked cases over the long haul,,, don't get me wrong,,, I do some hotter loads during hunting season so the bullets can reach out there,,, but 95 to 98% of my plinking and F Class loads are well with the normal range.

Nothing wrong with checking things out since some rifles don't like max loads,,, my hunting rifle is one of those guns

 

[243winxb]

Nosler load data is "generic". There data should not cover all types of bullets in the same weight class.

See examples.

Some slow burn rate powders like IMR 4350 and 414 should not be used with a 55 gr bullet. Imo.

For a quick check of powder load range, i check here http://stevespages.com/page8a.htm (may block some users.)

 

[dellet]

I think that if you use low end of published data in Quickload and then bring up the window that shows predicted pressures for lot to lot variation, starting loads can often be at or above max pressure.

Please don't ask why I am a frequent visitor to that part of the program.