H4350 vs. RL22 for 260 and 140's

[dk-1]

I have been trying to get H4350 to work in my rig for two months now with 140 VLD's. I'm only getting around 2700 FPS, .5-.8 moa, at 42.5 grains, no pressure signs. I tried H4350 behind 140 A-maxes today with bad results too. Best group was .410 worst was .75 and that was at the highest charge at 42.5 grains. No pressure signs noted. A ladder test at 350 yards showed no accuracy node that I could see.

I have a great shooting load for the 140 VLD's using RL 22 which is in the .3's for average of five 5 round groups, with just shy of 2800 fps from a 23" barrel. I keep hearing about RL 22 being temp sensitive so I want to go to a hogdon extreme powder. The RL 22 load I have is slightly compressed, which I hear helps stabilize it in temp extremes. My last five rounds of this load fired over a chrony showed MV 2801, ES 9, SD 4. Those numbers and the one hole groups down range are very hard to ignore. So far, going from temps in the high 90's to low 60's I have not seen any temp sensitivity issues.

I have also tried H4831sc with .75-1.0 moa accuracy and mild pressure signs around 2700 fps. 46.1 grains was as high as I went with velocities around 2720 and .488 moa.

Should I just run the RL 22 and not look back, or continue this seemingly futile search for another load?

 

[Clark]

Re: H4350 vs. RL 22 for 260 and 140's

I know I can get more velocity in 7mmRM with Re22 than with H4350, but I have gone to all H4350 to get the temp stability.

 

[dk-1]

Re: H4350 vs. RL 22 for 260 and 140's

Clark, I'm not as concerned with velocity as I am accuracy. I can't get the "H" powders to group with 140's at all. This is a custom rifle with a Krieger 5R barrel, 1:8 twist, and match chamber tailored to 140 vld's. It should work with the hogdon powders, I just can't figure out why it isn't.

 

[Emilio]

Re: H4350 vs. RL 22 for 260 and 140's

I'd say run what works for you. I might even try RL 22 with my 140 VLDs.

 

[dk-1]

Re: H4350 vs. RL 22 for 260 and 140's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Emilio</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd say run what works for you. I might even try RL 22 with my 140 VLDs. </div></div>

I was just concerned with the rumors of RL22 being temp sensitive. I think what I'll do is just shoot it at extreme low and extreme high temps and document the findings in my data book. There will be changes to note with any powder due to air density, so it's pretty much an invalid point if you consider it in that regard.

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: H4350 vs. RL 22 for 260 and 140's

What brand brass?

You might have luck at 43.0-43.3gr H4350...

 

[I'm in]

Re: H4350 vs. RL 22 for 260 and 140's

I am far from an expert on reloading, however, I worked up plenty of loads for a 7 rem mag for an elk trip throughout the summer and early fall. It was 28 degrees in Elk camp at 9000 feet and the load I'd settled on was near max velocity and most accurate. When we checked our sight in after the plane ride, it was 3 shots touching. Just my experience going from 95 degrees to 28 degrees FWIW This was with RL22.

 

[dk-1]

Re: H4350 vs. RL 22 for 260 and 140's

Remington brass, once fired, neck sized. I'm far from case capacity, I might (will) obtain better velocities, but not so sure about accuracy improvement. I guess it wouldn't hurt to ladder up from 42.5 grains in .3 grain increments...

 

[dk-1]

Re: H4350 vs. RL 22 for 260 and 140's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: I'm in</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am far from an expert on reloading, however, I worked up plenty of loads for a 7 rem mag for an elk trip throughout the summer and early fall. It was 28 degrees in Elk camp at 9000 feet and the load I'd settled on was near max velocity and most accurate. When we checked our sight in after the plane ride, it was 3 shots touching. Just my experience going from 95 degrees to 28 degrees FWIW This was with RL22. </div></div>

The temp instability issue really deals with point of impact due to velocity increasing or decreasing. Was your point of impact still in the right place?

 

[JGorski]

Re: H4350 vs. RL22 for 260 and 140's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dk-1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been trying to get H4350 to work in my rig for two months now with 140 VLD's. I'm only getting around 2700 FPS, .5-.8 moa, at 42.5 grains, no pressure signs. I tried H4350 behind 140 A-maxes today with bad results too. Best group was .410 worst was .75 and that was at the highest charge at 42.5 grains. No pressure signs noted. A ladder test at 350 yards showed no accuracy node that I could see.

I have a great shooting load for the 140 VLD's using RL 22 which is in the .3's for average of five 5 round groups, with just shy of 2800 fps from a 23" barrel. I keep hearing about RL 22 being temp sensitive so I want to go to a hogdon extreme powder. The RL 22 load I have is slightly compressed, which I hear helps stabilize it in temp extremes. My last five rounds of this load fired over a chrony showed MV 2801, ES 9, SD 4. Those numbers and the one hole groups down range are very hard to ignore. So far, going from temps in the high 90's to low 60's I have not seen any temp sensitivity issues.

I have also tried H4831sc with .75-1.0 moa accuracy and mild pressure signs around 2700 fps. 46.1 grains was as high as I went with velocities around 2720 and .488 moa.

Should I just run the RL 22 and not look back, or continue this seemingly futile search for another load? </div></div>

Maybe try some RE17? I bet it'd give you more velocity than any other powder your currently using.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: H4350 vs. RL22 for 260 and 140's

A 140Amax .015 off the lands launched at 2800 doesn't shoot good there is something wrong with your tube, Rem brass, CCi primer, and H4350 with the Amax are proven combos, if your not seeing any pressure keep adding powder.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: H4350 vs. RL22 for 260 and 140's

And for The Love of God stop the NS only stuff, brass FL everytime is far more consistent than NS only brass because at some point your going to have to FL and then the case volume will change and so will your accuracy.

 

[dk-1]

Re: H4350 vs. RL22 for 260 and 140's

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A 140Amax .015 off the lands launched at 2800 doesn't shoot good there is something wrong with your tube, Rem brass, CCi primer, and H4350 with the Amax are proven combos, if your not seeing any pressure keep adding powder. </div></div>

I was only in the 2700 fps range with 42.5 grains, 0.015 from lands, 1x fired rem .260 brass, GM210M primers. I usually use CCI 200 but had GM laying around so I figured what the hell... I'll keep adding powder and see what happens. There's nothing wrong with my tube, it shoot one hole with RL22!!

 

[dk-1]

Re: H4350 vs. RL22 for 260 and 140's

Forgot to mention; 213 rounds down the barrel to date.