Drop in FPS?

[willbas]

I have a sudden drop of FPS from 2708 to 2283 fps with my .308, brass Lupua Palma. powder Varget 44 gns, Wolf Magnum primers, Berger 185 JN. The 2708 was recorded with 43.4 gns of Varget. I have check my powder weight on three different scales all 44 gns :-\ My Feld brass with Win large rifle primers 44 gns of IMR 4320 Sierra 175 TMK recordes 2803 FPS has not changed so I do not thing it is my chronograph . The can of Varget I was using is all gone. So I am going to try a new can some different primers and some IMR 4320 and see what happens. Any other things to try?

 

[jonbearman]

What kind of scale are you using and what kind of chrono?

 

[eric32]

i saw a gentleman at a match one time start his string. and he continued to hit the grond in front of the 1k berm. he tried to get on paper for 10 rounds, he eventually ran out of elevation on his iron sights.

He used varget as his powder and said that he just switched to a new can of a 32lb lot he bought earlier that month.

so all in all maybe you have a really slow lot of powder or it might be too much humidity. I know the bulletin has a article on humidity vs powder burn

 

[jlow]

Sorry but a bit hard to imagine any powder that can change 425 fps from one batch to another.

So are you saying the change happened before or after you changed batch of Varget? Any chance your brass was slightly wet and so you are getting partial ignition – a wild guess but…

 

[Frankinthelaurels]

???I agree with jlow...no way it's beingcaused by lots of powder, 500 fps !!!! no way. Are you sure you read the scale correctly...easy to read 5 or 10 off.... No other reason, unless your blowing holes in primers...hole in barrel or cracked chamber..oil on powder, lube on powder..nothing explains that much...bad chrony!!

 

[bdale]

I would think that much of a change would have a noticeable effect on your POI, if it's still grouping as before something else amiss.

Also if one sensor is in the sunlight on your chrony and the other in the shade this will adversely affect your reading :

 

[potatoe]

I think you either loaded the wrong charge or the chrono was not reading right. A lot# swing of 400+ fps could kill someone

 

[jlow]

Yes, even the best chrony like a Ohler 35P that I have sometimes can give you crazy readings when the sun is in the wrong place.

 

[willbas]

I may have found my problem I may have the wrong powder in the can. When I open a new can of Varget I notice a difference in size of the powder. the one on the right is the slower powder and is larger in size. I will be calling Hodgdon if they want this can I still have some left.

 

[jlow]

If you are saying what I think you are saying i.e. Hodgdon put wrong powder in a can, it would be useful for us to know if there is any chance that you mixed them by mistake, and if not the lot number of the can.

 

[willbas]

If you are saying what I think you are saying i.e. Hodgdon put wrong powder in a can, it would be useful for us to know if there is any chance that you mixed them by mistake, and if not the lot number of the can.

lot # is 1121213 5253 the ode think the lid is different than all the other cans Of Varget I have. Calling Hodgdon later this AM

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Good thing its not bullseye

 

[bulwaagh]

If you are saying what I think you are saying i.e. Hodgdon put wrong powder in a can, it would be useful for us to know if there is any chance that you mixed them by mistake, and if not the lot number of the can.

lot # is 1121213 5253 the ode think the lid is different than all the other cans Of Varget I have. Calling Hodgdon later this AM

Uuggh, Thanks for the heads up, I'll be checking my 8lb stash this afternoon.

 

[willbas]

just got off the phone with Hodgon and this is the first problem with this lot in two years. I will be loading up all of the bad powder into bullets and sending it too them for testing.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You mean they want ammo loaded by you for testing?

 

[willbas]

You mean they want ammo loaded by you for testing?

yes

 

[jlow]

If you are saying what I think you are saying i.e. Hodgdon put wrong powder in a can, it would be useful for us to know if there is any chance that you mixed them by mistake, and if not the lot number of the can.

lot # is 1121213 5253 the ode think the lid is different than all the other cans Of Varget I have. Calling Hodgdon later this AM

Thanks! That is an interesting number as all my lots dating back from 2012 to present starts with an "8". Do you know approximately what year it was made/brought?

I don't think loading them up is the way to go. First, I am sure they will not shoot reloaded ammo for safety sake especially if they think it contains an unknown powder. Just send the powder and they I am sure will do chemical analysis which is the way to go.

 

[Comrade Terry]

You mean they want ammo loaded by you for testing?

Could it be that loaded ammo doesn't require hazmat, but a jug of powder does?

If so - clever! ;D

 

[jlow]

You mean they want ammo loaded by you for testing?

Could it be that loaded ammo doesn't require hazmat, but a jug of powder does?

If so - clever! ;D

LOL! Good thinking there!

 

[willbas]

New Can Of Varget every thing back to normal. Off to UPS Center to send Hodgdon the sample they wanted.