Like a kid at xmas I anxiously awaited the arrival on my new reloading setup all last week. Last night I put together my first batch of reloads ever and ran off to the range as soon as I was done work today. Of course I wasn’t expecting perfection with the first try but I was rather dismayed by the results.
I put together two boxes of reloads all seemed difficult to chamber & close the bolt (more so on the first box of 20) including two rounds that I could not close and had to discard. And the kick was ungodly, first time I was looking forward to leaving the range and coming home to the wife.
I thought I researched it pretty well and started with the most recommended components and recipe. Perhaps someone can provide some advice and let me know what to check & change.
Components
168g Sierra HPBT
Once Fired Federal casings
IMR 4064
Wolf Primers
1st Box of 20
43g
OAL 1.78
2nd Box of 20
43.5
OAL 1.8
From what I can tell 43.5 seems the most common fill here. I read some past posts stating the results of disassembled Federal rounds ranging from 42.5 to 43.5, the half box I disassembled last week though averaged at 40g per round. Figured I would be safe starting at 43g.
Is it just the amount of powder causing so much kick (I wouldn’t think so) or something I’m doing wrong with the sizing & seating?
I wont even mention my shot groups although that was most likely me just fighting the kick of each shot even though I was concentrating on a good tight hold.
I put together two boxes of reloads all seemed difficult to chamber & close the bolt (more so on the first box of 20) including two rounds that I could not close and had to discard. And the kick was ungodly, first time I was looking forward to leaving the range and coming home to the wife.
I thought I researched it pretty well and started with the most recommended components and recipe. Perhaps someone can provide some advice and let me know what to check & change.
Components
168g Sierra HPBT
Once Fired Federal casings
IMR 4064
Wolf Primers
1st Box of 20
43g
OAL 1.78
2nd Box of 20
43.5
OAL 1.8
From what I can tell 43.5 seems the most common fill here. I read some past posts stating the results of disassembled Federal rounds ranging from 42.5 to 43.5, the half box I disassembled last week though averaged at 40g per round. Figured I would be safe starting at 43g.
Is it just the amount of powder causing so much kick (I wouldn’t think so) or something I’m doing wrong with the sizing & seating?
I wont even mention my shot groups although that was most likely me just fighting the kick of each shot even though I was concentrating on a good tight hold.