I have been having problems with pressure. The rifle is a Savage BA 110. Here are the facts. I originally started developing a load using once fired Lapua brass that I full sized and H-1000 powder and SMK 300gr rounds set to an OAL of 3.681. I had worked up loads from 88 grains to 92.5 and shot them without a problem. I then loaded about 40 rounds using the above mentioned components at 91.5 gr. I fired 30 of the rounds without problems, outside temp was about 70*.
On another day, outside temp was about 59*, I fired 3 of the remaining 10 rounds without incident, on the next 7 rounds I had a very sticky bolt, three of the rounds had to have the brass beat out of the chamber with a rod. I then decided to go back to the drawing board. I loaded about 25 rounds of NEW Lapua brass with 86-90 grains of the H-1000. I went out and started firing the new rounds and did notice the beginning of pressure signs above 90 grains, I had some cupping of the primer. I decided to stick to the lower load which produced sub moa groups of about ½ inch. I decided on a load of 88 grains and neck sized some Hornady brass. I had a sticky bolt right off the bat so I did not fire any more of the rounds.
When I got home I measured the OAL of the cases which were right at 2.722 or so, just a hair under max. I measured my chamber and it miced out at around 2.750, so I know the cases were not hitting. Now I know some have said the Hornady brass is junk and needs to be full sized every time. However, when I first encountered the sticky bolt I was using once fired, full sized Lapua brass, not to mention at a load much lower then the original batch which was loaded up to 92.5 grains.
I am at a loss, I am going to go back and start over with full sized brass both Lapua and Hornady and will start working up loads. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thx Diego
On another day, outside temp was about 59*, I fired 3 of the remaining 10 rounds without incident, on the next 7 rounds I had a very sticky bolt, three of the rounds had to have the brass beat out of the chamber with a rod. I then decided to go back to the drawing board. I loaded about 25 rounds of NEW Lapua brass with 86-90 grains of the H-1000. I went out and started firing the new rounds and did notice the beginning of pressure signs above 90 grains, I had some cupping of the primer. I decided to stick to the lower load which produced sub moa groups of about ½ inch. I decided on a load of 88 grains and neck sized some Hornady brass. I had a sticky bolt right off the bat so I did not fire any more of the rounds.
When I got home I measured the OAL of the cases which were right at 2.722 or so, just a hair under max. I measured my chamber and it miced out at around 2.750, so I know the cases were not hitting. Now I know some have said the Hornady brass is junk and needs to be full sized every time. However, when I first encountered the sticky bolt I was using once fired, full sized Lapua brass, not to mention at a load much lower then the original batch which was loaded up to 92.5 grains.
I am at a loss, I am going to go back and start over with full sized brass both Lapua and Hornady and will start working up loads. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thx Diego