First time shooting reloads...all fingers intact

[RampedRaptor]

Thanks to you guys I was sucessfully able to reload 24 rounds and fire them off without a hitch...well almost that is.

I must of set a primer too deep because it failed to fire but that was my only problem.

Rifle Rem. 700 tactical

AMMO: 168 amax
Hornady match brass
CCI Magnum large rifle primers
41-45.5 grains of Varget 0.5 intervals "ladder test twice
OAL 2.864
light crimp

I used magnum primers because thats what I had. The most apparent node was at 42.5 43.43.5

I didnt see any pressure signs at 45.5 although I thought I might with the use of Magnun primers.

Next step is to play with the oal and load 43 grains and see what the groups are looking like.

Comments questions and advice welcomed


Thanks all

 

[sic65stang]

Re: First time shooting reloads...all fingers intact

If you work up a load with magnum primers you are going to have to stick with them. IDK what the exact difference is between mag and LG rifle primers, but I assume it packs more punch? May be equivalent to a certain amount of powder, anyone know?

After my first ladder test I break down the "nodes" further before selecting one specific load and messing with OAL. Id start at 42.4 maybe and work up by 0.2 up to 43.6. Then I would finalize my decision on a specific load. Precision is key, you may be surprised what 0.2 GN does to your bullet.

Good Luck

 

[Twitch2120]

Re: First time shooting reloads...all fingers intact

mag primers tend to burn hotter and longer. whatever you start with, stay with.

 

[mtrmn]

Re: First time shooting reloads...all fingers intact

Maybe in Rem 700 it's different, but I've NEVER managed to seat a primer too deep to fire in any of the guns I own. Seat them til they stop and they SHOULD wind up just below the case head enough to feel with your finger-just a couple thousandths.

If you ever use CCI military primers, they are magnum strength according to the CCI website. So there is one alternative. And don't be afraid to stick some regular primers in a few rounds and see what they do-that's the advantage you have as a reloader. YOU are in control and can test everything to the nth degree.

With my LIMITED SHOOTING PROWESS, I've switched primer types in the past without changing anything else and have noticed very little if any change in POI or group size. The only time I worry about this now would with be max pressure loads and going from a standard to a magnum primer. I must stress the fact that I do not qualify as a precision shooter by any stretch of the imagination, so YMMV. You may notice a big difference that I'm just not good enough to notice.

 

[RampedRaptor]

Re: First time shooting reloads...all fingers intact

The light primer hit has got me wondering if it was possible to seat to low? Or if its a extra hard magnum case, or maybe my firing pin spring is weak.

Just getting my feet wet today with reloading has help out a ton,!!


Thanks dv

 

[tomcatfan]

Re: First time shooting reloads...all fingers intact

Welcome to the reloading world. Just a heads up, this is only the beginning. It's a pretty addicting hobby once you start testing components. IMHO I don't think you should be able to seat a primer "too deep" under normal reloading conditions. When I reload, I push my primers into the pockets until they stop. I've never had a failure to ignite due to light primer strikes out of any of my guns. I guess it may be possible to have bad brass with primer pockets too deep, but I feel like that is really unlikely. It would be easy to measure with the back end of your calipers though.

 

[targaflorio]

Re: First time shooting reloads...all fingers intact

You will find magnum shooters loading with regular large rifle primers, and you will find 308 shooters loading with small rifle primers. If you are happy with your results, go for it. But I would compare them to loads with the regular large rifle primers. It has to do with the size and heat of the flame and the burning speed and cut and coating of the different powders.