260 Rem load question

[czgunner]

I'm using this Peterson brass, CCI 200 primers, 140 SMK, H4350.
This was a load test of 40-42 grains at .5 grain steps. I'm .015" off the lands and am right around 2.75" OAL. My Savage Shilen barrel has a short throat.
Do these primers show excessive pressure?
I've read that there is an accuracy node between 42 and 43 grains.
Of course my chrono crapped out and I didn't get all my numbers.

 

[hafejd30]

What’s the lowest charge compared to the highest charge look like?

I run a savage 260 with criterion barrel. H4350/Lapua brass/CCI BR2/142 SMK .015” off the lands. Believe it’s 42.5 grains of the H4350 but I’d have to check for sure.

Do you have:

Heavy bolt lift?
Ejector marks?

Primer cratering is common on savage rifles. Just wondering if that’s the only sign you see. The 6.5 savages I’ve played with cratered worse than my 260

 

[czgunner]

What’s the lowest charge compared to the highest charge look like?

I run a savage 260 with criterion barrel. H4350/Lapua brass/CCI BR2/142 SMK .015” off the lands. Believe it’s 42.5 grains of the H4350 but I’d have to check for sure.

Do you have:

Heavy bolt lift?
Ejector marks?

Primer cratering is common on savage rifles. Just wondering if that’s the only sign you see. The 6.5 savages I’ve played with cratered worse than my 260

All the primers look the same. No heavy bolt lift at all. I don't see ejector marks. I haven't shot this rifle in many years, and can't say I remember those craters, but if that's common, I'll proceed carefully. Thank you.

 

[hafejd30]

All the primers look the same. No heavy bolt lift at all. I don't see ejector marks. I haven't shot this rifle in many years, and can't say I remember those craters, but if that's common, I'll proceed carefully. Thank you.

We sent my buddies bolt to LRI and had it bushed. Even below hornady starting loads it cratered bad. After bushing we proceeded with load testing and came across other signs of pressure like heavy lift, flattened primer, ejector swipes etc but not until nearing max suggested loads. The cratering went away completely

 

[czgunner]

We sent my buddies bolt to LRI and had it bushed. Even below hornady starting loads it cratered bad. After bushing we proceeded with load testing and came across other signs of pressure like heavy lift, flattened primer, ejector swipes etc but not until nearing max suggested loads. The cratering went away completely

Thank you, I'll look into that.

 

[hafejd30]

Thank you, I'll look into that.

Keep in mind with a short throat you have less case capacity so you will likely see pressure earlier.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I don't worry about cratering too much unless it's shaving metal into the firing pin hole.

What I was more concerned about when looking at the pictures is the picture on the far right and the row of fired cases at the top of the picture. Some of those primers look very flat.

 

[czgunner]

I don't worry about cratering too much unless it's shaving metal into the firing pin hole.

What I was more concerned about when looking at the pictures is the picture on the far right and the row of fired cases at the top of the picture. Some of those primers look very flat.

Interesting. Those were my starting loads. I'm currently about 15 thou off the lands. Would seating them further out help?

 

[ShtrRdy]

Interesting. Those were my starting loads. I'm currently about 15 thou off the lands. Would seating them further out help?

I just noticed that those cases were Remington brass. Did you load those?

 

[lash]

First of all, your premise for using 42 gr is wrong. When you read that there “is an accuracy load between 42 and 43”, that is for some people in their rifles. It’s a poor way to start load work up and is likely overpressure for your rifle and barrel.

I have a great accuracy node in my rifle at 40.8 gr of 4350. When I go to the next “accuracy node” it’s starts to show beginning signs of pressure, like yours is.

There is zero reason to look for you accuracy at max pressures and velocities and many good reasons to look for a lower node that gives you accuracy without stressing your brass and shortening your barrel life.

Sure, get your firing pin bushed. It can help, but that doesn’t change what I just said.

 

[czgunner]

I just noticed that those cases were Remington brass. Did you load those?

Yes, they were a starting load. I used them because they were already primed.

 

[czgunner]

First of all, your premise for using 42 gr is wrong. When you read that there “is an accuracy load between 42 and 43”, that is for some people in their rifles. It’s a poor way to start load work up and is likely overpressure for your rifle and barrel.

I have a great accuracy node in my rifle at 40.8 gr of 4350. When I go to the next “accuracy node” it’s starts to show beginning signs of pressure, like yours is.

There is zero reason to look for you accuracy at max pressures and velocities and many good reasons to look for a lower node that gives you accuracy without stressing your brass and shortening your barrel life.

Sure, get your firing pin bushed. It can help, but that doesn’t change what I just said.

Thanks for the input.

 

[ACard]

I had very good results with 41.5 grains and the same everything except bullets. I shot mostly 140 ELD-M's. I would bet bushing the bolt face will fix the issues you are seeing.

 

[702lineman]

Get the bolt bushed or use cci250 primers. Send it

 

[czgunner]

Get the bolt bushed or use cci250 primers. Send it

Thanks. I've got a new ladder loaded up with 250's.