POWDER

[paul223]

Being new to reloading and somewhat new to benchrest shooting I have 2 questions relative to powders.

1) Is it safe to load a shell to within @ 1/4" of the top? I started using Accurate 2460 and noticed that level while loading 25.5 Gr. It is well above the shoulder.

2) Relative to H335, Is there a more stable/accurate powder at 90 degrees? I ask this because I have noticed that on hot days the same load shoots higher than on days 20 degrees cooler.
Thanks,
Paul

 

[fredhorace77]

yes to ur first question...u can fill the case completly full and seat a bullet..which denotes a compressed load as long as u dont go over the max recommended charge for that given powder and cartridge.

and try benchmark powder, varget or H4895...they are extreme powders and not sensitive to temp. changes
also alot of shooters using vita vorhi

 

[Shynloco]

paul223,
If I might suggest with no offense meant, tells us what caliber you are shooting so the range of possibilities and suggestions can be better limited. I will say that based upon my experiences, Varget and RL15 are forgiving powders, but not necessarily the right powder to use in all calibers. But since you mention H335 and I going to assume (really a bad thing to do in reloading BTW) that you are talking .223 caliber. Personally, I've found BLC-2 works well for best accuracy while shooting off a bench and is better than H335 in other areas as well despite what some manuals recommend. BTW, that rifle I'm talking is a bolt gun where I'm shoot 52gr & 53gr bullets and not a gas one that likes 55 gr bullets. Thx.

 

[paul223]

Shy, I an shooting a Savage 223 bolt and using Sierra 52Gr Matchking and Hornady 52Gr Match.

 

[Bradley Walker]

I think you would be shocked if you filled a 223 case with Reloader 15 loose over a bowl of powder, shook it, and stuck in a 52 grain bullet.

Shhhh... I didn't tell you that.

 

[243winxb]

http://www.hodgdon.com/ Hodgdon has powders that are less effected by heat. There loading data will have a "C" next to the powder charge telling you its a compressed load. Different brass may give different powder levels. Some types of powder do not compress well, ball or spherical may be some. The stick powder compress better.

 

[bheadboy]

Paul,

being new you may not have experienced the fact that chambers differ from gun to gun, some smaller some larger but within the "spec" limits, also brass is thicker/thiner re the manufacturer

thus, a full case to the mouthor bottom ofthe shoulder on one gun may not be a full case on another - and a full case on one may be overflowing on another gun's chamber.

There fore, consider stating lower than max, and work up you load by increasing the volume of powder ( possibly to a full case, possible to a compressed load) looking for signs of pressure.

loads for one chamber/rifle will not necessary be safe in another, so test slowly.
this is true regardless of powder, caliber,
look at the manufactures web pages - powders that are less temp sensitive are noted as such, what you see as a difference with 20 degree change is not unusual with the powders you mentions.


Bob

 

[Shynloco]

Shy, I an shooting a Savage 223 bolt and using Sierra 52Gr Matchking and Hornady 52Gr Match.

Paul,
I too shoot a Savage .223 VLP DBM model off the Bench. I have done extensive testing with several powders including H335, shooting Sierra 52 HPBT's, Sierra 53 Matchking FB's, and Berger 52 Gr Match Bullets. In my rifle, I've found BLC-2 performs the best at or around 28.7 gr pushing the 52 Gr Bergers or Sierras. And here too, the BLC-2 way out performed the H335. You might consider giving BLC-2 a try and see how it work with your rifle. It seems to work pretty nicely in a variety of different manufacturer's rifles. BTW, I load so that bullet is just touching the jam.

Alex

 

[K22]

The 223 works with a wide range of powders. I've tried H335, H322, BLC2, Benchmark, IMR 4895, and Varget. All worked very well with 50 to 55 grain bullets in 12" twist bolt rifles.

I've had my most consistent results with all my 223's using Varget and Nosler BT 50 grain and 55 grain bullet, Federal 205 Match Primers. H335 (55 grain bullets) and Benchmark (50 grain bullets) were a close second.

Some claim significant lot to lot variation with Varget however I've not experienced any significant changes in performance with my reloads from one lot to another.

I did notice that ball powders like H335 and BLC2 tend to be more temperature sensitive but that wouldn't keep me from using them if you obtained your best accuracy with them.

 

[jonbearman]

I use blc-2 and h335 and benchmark. Got my best accuracy with h335 and benchmark.I also learned that if you choose a lighter than max load,the accuracy seems to be more repeatable. The heat doesnt bother it as much either if you are lower than max to begin with.This is my humble opinion.