Unburned powder on 338?

[lwink]

so recently did some testing with a new coal on my 338 edge and abandoned the whole magazine pipe dream with 300 grain Bergers. Anyways, gun has always shot well, but these 3 new groups were pretty erratic, all about 1.5" strings in different directions. Is about 91 grains of powder, and for the first time I noticed when I cycled the empty cases after firing a noticeable amount of powder fell out. Wondering if I accidentally put in cci 200 instead of 250 magnum primers - would this happen if I did?? Any way to tell after the primer had been fired which is which? Could just be a coincidence and bad loads, but all my shells were sending loose powder out after ejection and I've never seen this before. Thoughts?

 

[MagnumManiac]

I, too, have a 338 Edge, I have never seen that, what powder are/were you using?
The only cartridge I have ever experienced this in was a 45-70 with 4895 and 405gr Rem SP. Unburned powder was left all up the barrel and in the action.

The type of powder will help determine what the cause may have been.

I saw similar things happen with 3 7mm RUM's, unburnt powder and cases dented below the shoulder in the body, some had hangfires, while others didn't with identical loads.

Cheers.

 

[dkhunt14]

It would help to know the powder used. I shoot a 338 Lapua IMP and burn Re33. I like Fed 215 primers. The only time I had trouble was with US869 with big loads and real cold temperatures. Matt

 

[TIMO]

I agree, not knowing what type of powder used. I have never seen what you described with the un-burned powder in my 338 Edge. I have seen it it in other cartridges like MagnumManiac said with the 45-70 and also with some lead bullet 30-30's a long time ago that I loaded. For the 338 I have switched from H1000 to RL-33 and seeing a lot better performance. I do not have any chromo data since I cannot use my Magneto Speed with the muzzle brake I have. I always load long, and have not tried anything for magazine length even though my rifle has a mag.
Keep us updated.

Tim

 

[lwink]

Sorry guys it was h-1000, which has always shot accurately and cleanly in this gun. Just was doing some reading about oal length and decided to try a few stretched out rounds. Maybe I'll reload the same ones and ensure I put in a magnum primer and see what the results are. Conditions at time of shots were good, mid 70's

 

[MagnumManiac]

If you load so long that the bullet is barely in the case mouth, an inconsistent start pressure can cause the problems you are seeing. The bullets simply move before any pressure can build. My Edge is the only rifle I have that likes a heavy bullet tension, anything under .004" and it spits the dummy.
My Edge is built on a Sendero RUM action, it was trued and blueprinted, Jewel trigger installed and is single loaded. I run the bullets to be level with the shoulder/body junction at the full diameter of the bullet, the tapered heal is below this, no matter what length that is.
I have had far better ignition and consistency with Retumbo and H50BMG. I can't get US869 here in Australia.

Cheers.

 

[rifleman700]

Sorry guys it was h-1000, which has always shot accurately and cleanly in this gun. Just was doing some reading about oal length and decided to try a few stretched out rounds. Maybe I'll reload the same ones and ensure I put in a magnum primer and see what the results are. Conditions at time of shots were good, mid 70's

How much bearing surface neck contact did you have with these test rounds? With the 300 Berger I would not think this would be an issue but what was your OAL?

 

[lwink]

How much bearing surface neck contact did you have with these test rounds? With the 300 Berger I would not think this would be an issue but what was your OAL?

OAL was around 3.920 in these

 

[rifleman700]

OAL was around 3.920 in these

How much of the neck is contacting bearing surface - .365"ish? Has to be primers.