Is this too much powder? Am I being unsafe?

[270guy]

Hi All,
just looking to lean on those of you with more knowledge and experience please.

I'm loading 143 gr ELDX projectiles for my 6.5 x 47 Lapua. I have had a little trouble finding very much load data to help with this. Thanks to BulletBob for his reply to my initial post.

I have loaded 10 rounds, using AR 2209 (H4350), CCI 450 primers, and Hornady ELDX 143 gr projectiles.
Powder charges 35.4, 35.6, 35.8, 36, 36.2, 36.4, 36.6, 36.8, 37, 37.2 grains.

I currently shoot 120 gr Sierra pro hunters, with 38.5 gr of AR 2209 in the same rifle, and realise that the amount of powder has to reduce to allow for the heavier projectile, so as not to spike pressure on firing. I'm just not sure if I have started low enough? I have the projectile seated to jump to the lands. And will start with the 35.4 and work up checking for pressure signs as I go.

I sometimes risk serious harm from my wife, when spending time shooting, and do not wish to risk further harm from my rifle, by using too large of a powder charge.

As always thanks for any advice / help you give.
cheers

 

[1shot]

PM sent

 

[grovey]

According to Hornady's load data 40.5 gr (COMPRESSED) powder is the max load with H4350 in a Lapua, with 205m primers, and the 143gr eldx. Every rifle is different, and I don't know if the powder is actually H4350..... but IF it is you should be plenty safe where you're at. Look here.

http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/data/rifle

 

[ChrisA]

When my 24" Mullerworks barrel had 500 rounds on it, 40.2gr H4350, CCI-450 and a 140 Berger Hybrid was giving me 2778 fps. Of course using 6.5x47 Lapua brass, FL sized.

After 2300 rounds on the barrel I was at 40.8gr to maintain that same velocity.

Chris

 

[270guy]

Thanks to 1shot, grovey and ChrisA.

The powder is not compressed, and I will come back with results once I get a chance to shoot (weather, not wife).
cheers

 

[dstoenner]

You never told us what your overall length is. My guess it is pretty far out. In that case you have a lot more room to put powder and still be safe. The normal recommendation is to load 4 at each powder level, then shoot 1 of each step to foul the barrel and test for hard bolt opening or blown primers. If that ocurs, only test to within .5 gn of that value. My gut based on my limited experience with 6X47 Lapua is that you are not even close. I was at 38.5 with 110 SMK and it was not close to being max.

HTH

David

 

[Zero333]

37.2 gr of ADI AR-2209 underneath a 142/143 gr head in the 6.5 Lapua is more of a starting load.

Hodgdon Reloading lists 40gr as Max with H-4350 and 143 eld-X.
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[270guy]

You never told us what your overall length is. My guess it is pretty far out. In that case you have a lot more room to put powder and still be safe. The normal recommendation is to load 4 at each powder, then shoot 1 of each step to foul the barrel and test for hard bolt opening or blown primers. If that ocurs, only test to within .5 gn of that value. My gut based on my limited experience with 6X47 Lapua is that you are not even close. I was at 38.5 with 110 SMK and it was not close to being max.

HTH

David

Thanks David. OAL is 2.792. Which is just too long to fit into the mag (Rem 700 ADL), but it will fit into the very top position of the mag (feed ramp accommodates the tip of the projectile), so I can have a round in the chamber and one "in the mag". cheers

 

[270guy]

Update....I got to shoot my initial 10 rounds of 143gr ELDX projectiles, as already listed above. So it turns out, as some have predicted, that I haven't reached max load with this powder / projectile / seating depth combo. No pressure signs. Which is great, cause they weren't going that fast. Slowest 2429 fps to fastest 2524 fps. As a comparison factory Lapua 139gr Scenar ave 2634 fps, extra 110 fps. I like to try to get a bit more velocity if I can. All 10 shots formed a nice compact group within 3/4 " at 100m, right at point of aim. And there is 1, potentially 2 "nodes", first at 2429 fps (35.4gr and 34.6 gr, first 2 shots in the same hole, at the same speed. Potentially the 2nd node really, but much to slow), and 36.4 / 36.6 / 34.8 gr, 2485, 2495, 2505 fps.
Looks like seating depth is ok, so keep on loading up in .2 grs till pressure signs. Then onto loading specific weights and longer range shooting!
As a exercise to check if this whole "10 round development" style works for me. As I recently splurged on an Magnetospeed. I used some of my last 123 gr Amax, and ran a 14 round ladder, to confirm, what I already thought I knew. And pleased to say it rang true, with a node right where I had settled on my load with that projectile. So have to be happy with that.
cheers