Faster or Slower burn rate???

[wb00757]

I (like the rest of the civilized world) am looking for an alternative to H4350... I am currently shooting a 23" .260 rem with a tight match chamber so the 140's are sitting pretty deep.
--Current Load--
Powder = 43.5gr H4350 (E.S. = 3 last time I chrono'd )
Brass = Starline
Bullet = Hornady 140gr BTHP Match
Primer = CCI 200 or BR2
FPS = 2778
COAL = 2.77 (I think)

This is a pretty warm load but it was ~80* when I did load development and went to 44.7gr (2866 FPS) without pressure signs. I am getting loose primer pockets on some of the brass after just 1 firing but I think that's the brass...

I would like to get a little more velocity out of the 140's and I am going to work up a 130 load at the same time. SO, do I want a slower or faster powder? I'm probably over thinking it, but slower might not work because I don't have the barrel length to take advantage of it, and faster might not work because I am already getting pretty high pressure... Any input would be GREATLY appreciated!

-Chip

 

[Steel head]

You can probably get better velocity with 4451 and almost definitely more with R16.

Honestly an extra 50-100 FPS doesn’t meow a significant difference.
If your current load is kicking ass then I wouldn’t bother changing

 

[wb00757]

Thanks @Steel head
I wouldn't mess with it but i'm out of H4350.... and can't find more locally. I really want to shoot some Alabama Precision matches this year and want to get out to 1200 with less than my current 11.8 mils (calculated) If possible. I just figured if i'm switching to something more available locally I might as well try to speed up a little. Thank you for your recommendations!

Which would you say is more temp stable between IMR 4451 and RL 16?

 

[Steel head]

They both good.
R16 might be slightly better temp stable

4451 is a bit slower burn than H4350 needing .5 grain to match speed but you can keep stuffing more in.

R16 tends to need less powder but makes speed like R17

 

[krw]

I shoot 4064 w 123’s in my 260’s. (Corrected my Typo). 40.5 gr will get 2980 out 26” bbl

 

[FLIGHT762]

.

I shoot 4640 w 123’s in my 260’s.

Where do you buy your 4640? I'd like to buy some

 

[wb00757]

Well RL-16 has completely disappeared around me (north west Atlanta) and 4451 is going for a pretty crazy price the one place I found it. At the end of next week I will be passing by Ft. Oglethorpe and can pick up some Shooters World Long Rifle from North Georgia Reloading. I have read some decent things about it, but does anybody here have any input? I like that if it works out I can get 8lb jugs online for ~$150

 

[FLIGHT762]

How about Shooter's World 4350? That should work.

 

[wb00757]

I might pick up a pound of that to test as well. It's too cheap not to try!

 

[1moaoff]

RL26 AND H1000 are what I used the 260

 

[1moaoff]

Actually I havent seen any results yet but a full case of 6.5 staball with a magnum primer might be the ticket also.
Staball seems to like pretty full case fill to burn well along with a magnum primer.
Try a pound of it working up to see