Favorite powder for 90s and 95s?

[tiny68]

What is your favorite powder for 90s and 95s in a 1:10 twist 6BR 29"? I tried Varget this weekend with 95 VLDs. I had made up a few loads to test fired with 31.0 gr of Varget and had a very heavy bolt lift. I backed off to 30.4 gr and still had a sticky bolt. I backed off of the lands and went with a jump and it didn't help. What to try? I have a hand full of powders but no N-135 yet. I think it is neck. Going lower than 30.4 Varget is a lower load density than I want. I like a full case.

Thanks for tips, tiny

 

[MarkS]

tiny,

Varget, RL15, n140, n540, are all good powders H 135 may be to fast for the heavier bullets. Are you F/L every time? Is the sticky bolt at the top of the lift? If so the brass is getting tight in the butt and need F/L sizing. The load you are using should not be too hot, but it may be. I F/L size every firing, that may help. I have used all the powders I listed, but use Varget and RL15 now.

Mark Schronce

 

[jo191145]

Keep your lugs greased.

 

[eitmsmf]

I think you have a sizing issue as MarkS stated. What barrel are you using?

 

[expiper]

Irregardless of the bolt life issue...how did your groups look???As stated you got a re-size issue....you gotta get dies that work with your chamber....and size em the same and everytime...
OBTW,,,every world record is being set and matches won with either Varget or Rx-15,,,,,so use what u got ...Roger

 

[Twud]

I'm having the same problem and believe it's the result of a tight chamber. I set the shoulder back .002" and the problem went away. I don't full length resize every time.

 

[tiny68]

Twud,

I have came to the same conclusion as you. My Redding S-type FL die wouldn't give me enough bump to get the shoulders back even when adjusted all the way down,still a tight bolt with FL sized case). That's the beauty of the Savage barrel nut. I reset barrel with another 0.003" headspace to give a little more room to adjust the die. I just got my 95 BIBs. I will try again with some RE-15 and maybe some RE-17. Randy highly recommended the RE-15.

Tiny

 

[Twud]

I'd sure like to know how you make out as my guage is back ordered 'til the 16th.

 

[alf]

Tiny,

A better option is to take 10 thou or so off the top of the shell holder.

Al

 

[jo191145]

I agree with alf on that. If that is you set your headspace with a guage.
I set my Sav's headspace for a slight crush fit on new brass.
Works very well as long as you do not shoot factory ammo. One rule is never go above saami spec. Of course new brass is usually never above saami anyway.

.003 isn't much but more headspace/unsupported web is a personal rule I will not break.

Besides, by stoning off the top of my shellholders I can usually make shoulder bump dies out of my existing neck sizing dies. I like that.