Quick question stuffing some rounds... literally.

[azhank]

Currently stuffing some rounds... literally.

.308 win
lapua brass
155 berger
varget

working up some loads for the OCW tomorrow.

I am starting at 44.3gr of the varget and working my way up to 47.0 (data pulled from the hodgdon site.)

Everything was going well until I hit 46.4gr of powder. I checked the OAL and it came back .010 longer than my specs. (this batch will be .015 off the lands). The case was getting full and there was a small increase in resistance when seating the bullet. So I thought ok fine ill just take the round apart and try it again....no dice. I cant get it out.

Should I

scrap the round?
shoot it, pending there are no excess pressure signs on the lower charges?
compress the round till it fits my OAL?

 

[Gene Poole]

Re: Quick question stuffing some rounds... literally.

There's no reason why you can't use a compressed load with Varget. The load data from there own manuals show compressed (the "C" next to the grains) for a lot of their hotter loads.

As always, just start with your low loads and watch for pressure signs with each step up, and don't shoot anything hotter once you see the signs.

 

[country888]

Re: Quick question stuffing some rounds... literally.

If the other rounds you loaded doesn't show pressure signs I would shoot it. As long as your not into your lands you should be ok as far as pressure goes.

 

[justinbaker]

Re: Quick question stuffing some rounds... literally.

pour the powder into the case a little slower, see if it helps settle the powder some

 

[azhank]

Re: Quick question stuffing some rounds... literally.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: justinbaker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">pour the powder into the case a little slower, see if it helps settle the powder some </div></div>

Too quick to make a post. I shook the round near my ear and I couldnt hear the powder moving. Well after a few taps it must have loosed it around because now I can hear it. re seated to 3.265 OAL and Im good to go.


Thanks for the quick help fellas.

 

[azhank]

Re: Quick question stuffing some rounds... literally.

Pumped for the range tomorrow

These are my from my first batch ever and I am proud.

Have a good night guys.

 

[seanhagerty]

Re: Quick question stuffing some rounds... literally.

Thats a great picture. Makes me think about the small groups you will shoot...

 

[Muttt]

Re: Quick question stuffing some rounds... literally.

When using a recipe that makes the rounds marginally compressed or really close to compressed (like in my 6.5 Grendel), I like to turn on my vibe tumbler and put a towel over the top. I then hold the charged case, with my finger over the neck, on top of the tumber for like 5-10 seconds. The vibrations make the powder settle a bit more and give you that little bit of extra room.

 

[J-ROD]

Re: Quick question stuffing some rounds... literally.

I have often wondered why it is not ok to put a box of charged rounds without the bullet on something that vibrates to settle the powder (at least I never hear it talked about, only long drop tubes)....is this unsafe or a bad idea?

 

[J-ROD]

Re: Quick question stuffing some rounds... literally.

P.S. Azhank, looks good..I hope to be reloading myself very soon. Goodluck at the range!