I've notice several post recently regarding serious pressure issues and I thought it might be worthwhile to share some of my experiences for those new to reloading. I would also recommend other experienced reloaders add in their experiences and thoughts. All my experience is with bolt rifles. This is not a substitute for reading your reloading manual. Instead, it is just to re-enforce some of the issues based on my experience.
1. Whenever possible, I use the bullet manufacturer's published and tested load data when developing loads. The reason is that I have often seen different pressure results with different bullets, especially those with secant ogives versus tangential ogives even with the same powder and same charge.
2. Any time you change components in a previously proven load you should treat it as a new load and work up accordingly.
3. Elements like changes in seating depth and neck tension can affect pressure. I always measure the maximum base to ogive in each rifle when I change bullets, so I know how far I am from the lands. I have had bullet movement in the case in the magazine / revolver cylinder on light weight heavy recoiling rifles and pistols due to insufficient neck tension or in the case of revolvers, insufficient crimp.
4. Learn to read pressure signs such a hard bolt lift, ejector marks engraving on the case head, and loose primer pockets. Primer appearance can be tricky to interpret but when combined with any of the above, it's a sign of pressure. Excessive case head expansion is one of the sure signs of over pressure, but this requires some expertise and special equipment to measure correctly. However, this usually manifest itself in loose primer pockets.
5. Another issue that can be confusing is powder charge. For example, the Hodgdon label on Varget shows a maximum charge of 27.5 for 223 Rem for 55 Speer Soft Points. Whereas the Nosler Manual for 55 grain BT shows a maximum charge of 25.0 grain. In my rifles, even 26.0 grains with any 55-grain bullet I have tested produces significant pressure signs. It's another reason why I prefer the bullet manufacturer's load data.
This should be obvious, but it may be worth mentioning, never start at the maximum powder charge when developing a new load. Also, do not push the limits of a cartridge trying to make into a higher velocity or higher energy cartridge. If you need that then get another rifle with a suitable cartridge to meet your needs. I often found that the medium published powder charge produces the best accuracy.
6. Ball powders, in my experience, can be more sensitive to temperature changes and create pressure surges. I had pressure surges with H380 in a 22 250 in the field in 90+ degree weather that never exhibited pressure signs at the range under a cover in the same temperatures. In my experience ball powders are also more sensitive to small changes in powder charges versus extruded powders.
7. Reloading mistakes such as using the wrong powder / bullets / etc. while less common, does happen. That is why it is always best to only have the powder and bullets you are using on the table while you are reloading. Also, make sure you always empty the powder measure after a reloading session.
8. I always check each case to make sure the case is charged before I seat a bullet. This is especially critical for pistol reloads since it can be easy to double charge a case. This is why I turn primed pistol cases upside down in the loading block before I start charging them then double check by visual inspection after charging.
9. Even less common but I have seen it at the range is using the incorrect ammunition in the firearm. Any time you experience any unusual recoil, sound, or other out of ordinary firearm reaction, STOP, and investigate.
I hope this helpful and look for to others offering their contributions to safe reloading experiences to promote safe reloading.
1. Whenever possible, I use the bullet manufacturer's published and tested load data when developing loads. The reason is that I have often seen different pressure results with different bullets, especially those with secant ogives versus tangential ogives even with the same powder and same charge.
2. Any time you change components in a previously proven load you should treat it as a new load and work up accordingly.
3. Elements like changes in seating depth and neck tension can affect pressure. I always measure the maximum base to ogive in each rifle when I change bullets, so I know how far I am from the lands. I have had bullet movement in the case in the magazine / revolver cylinder on light weight heavy recoiling rifles and pistols due to insufficient neck tension or in the case of revolvers, insufficient crimp.
4. Learn to read pressure signs such a hard bolt lift, ejector marks engraving on the case head, and loose primer pockets. Primer appearance can be tricky to interpret but when combined with any of the above, it's a sign of pressure. Excessive case head expansion is one of the sure signs of over pressure, but this requires some expertise and special equipment to measure correctly. However, this usually manifest itself in loose primer pockets.
5. Another issue that can be confusing is powder charge. For example, the Hodgdon label on Varget shows a maximum charge of 27.5 for 223 Rem for 55 Speer Soft Points. Whereas the Nosler Manual for 55 grain BT shows a maximum charge of 25.0 grain. In my rifles, even 26.0 grains with any 55-grain bullet I have tested produces significant pressure signs. It's another reason why I prefer the bullet manufacturer's load data.
This should be obvious, but it may be worth mentioning, never start at the maximum powder charge when developing a new load. Also, do not push the limits of a cartridge trying to make into a higher velocity or higher energy cartridge. If you need that then get another rifle with a suitable cartridge to meet your needs. I often found that the medium published powder charge produces the best accuracy.
6. Ball powders, in my experience, can be more sensitive to temperature changes and create pressure surges. I had pressure surges with H380 in a 22 250 in the field in 90+ degree weather that never exhibited pressure signs at the range under a cover in the same temperatures. In my experience ball powders are also more sensitive to small changes in powder charges versus extruded powders.
7. Reloading mistakes such as using the wrong powder / bullets / etc. while less common, does happen. That is why it is always best to only have the powder and bullets you are using on the table while you are reloading. Also, make sure you always empty the powder measure after a reloading session.
8. I always check each case to make sure the case is charged before I seat a bullet. This is especially critical for pistol reloads since it can be easy to double charge a case. This is why I turn primed pistol cases upside down in the loading block before I start charging them then double check by visual inspection after charging.
9. Even less common but I have seen it at the range is using the incorrect ammunition in the firearm. Any time you experience any unusual recoil, sound, or other out of ordinary firearm reaction, STOP, and investigate.
I hope this helpful and look for to others offering their contributions to safe reloading experiences to promote safe reloading.
