H4831 and .270

[Woodsmoke]

Not after any secret loads, but I have a question for the experts!

I reloaded 130g SPs earlier today using H4831 with a view to working up to an optimum load. I've reloaded 6 sets of 5, with charges weighed from 56 to 58gr, with half-grain increments. I noticed the Lee manual states a 'never exceed' of 60gr, but this won't allow a bullet to seat correctly I assume the charge would need to be compressed if you loaded it this hot?

Edit: Spelling correction

 

[bewsher500]

Assume there is a typo in the 4811
depends entirely on brass

brass of this size can have as much as 4-5gr volume difference which can make all the difference to compressed loads

I have several loads that are compressed especially in 100gr .270, 208gr 300wm and 52gr .222

Nothing inherently wrong with compressing powder so long as the pressures are ok

 

[Woodsmoke]

Just noticed it's suffixed with a 'c' for 'compressed'

Feel free to point and laugh

 

[Woodsmoke]

Assume there is a typo in the 4811
depends entirely on brass

brass of this size can have as much as 4-5gr volume difference which can make all the difference to compressed loads

I have several loads that are compressed especially in 100gr .270, 208gr 300wm and 52gr .222

Nothing inherently wrong with compressing powder so long as the pressures are ok

Thanks Bewsher. I kind of figured it out when I saw the 'c'. And yes, typo. Sorted now

I don't want to get near the never exceed mark as I actually want to slow the bullet down bit if I can. I shot my .270 at around 2800fps in the US & really liked the load. Stupidly though, I didn't record the details, so I need to try & recreate it. H4831 is listed as a superb .270 powder, and I can get it easily, so I might as well stick with it

 

[bewsher500]

It's up there with rl22, n160 as the powder of choice
i also run my 130gr at around 28-2900
does the job, accurate and at 54gr of powder I am getting 10% more loads out of a tub!

Book data is as ever....a guide based on someone else's rifle and components
your max could be much less or much more.....

 

[Woodsmoke]

54g??? I might just make up a few at that & see how they perform then

 

[african jack]

I load 57grs H4831sc 130 gamekings sweet load just in the process of trying ramshot magnum as I can not get H4831

 

[bewsher500]

Range is wide for n160

51-62!!

Products - Lapua

 

[black lion]

58 grains of h4831sc with 130g game kings shoots well in mine

 

[Woodsmoke]

Thanks mate. It's Game Kings I'm using, right enough. I think that's the standard Federal bullet? I like the results I got with the standard Federal loads well enough, but I really want to slow it down a bit.

As an extra question........I know 4831 is maybe a bit slow for 22-250, and its not listed in the Lee manual, but has anyone used it for this calibre?

 

[african jack]

OK federal are 3060 fps what do you want to slow it down to. 52 grs will take it to about 2700, 54 grs about 2800, 55.7 about 2900, 57.4 grs 3000, 59.2 grs 3100 all 130 gr gamekings

Thanks mate. It's Game Kings I'm using, right enough. I think that's the standard Federal bullet? I like the results I got with the standard Federal loads well enough, but I really want to slow it down a bit.

As an extra question........I know 4831 is maybe a bit slow for 22-250, and its not listed in the Lee manual, but has anyone used it for this calibre?

 

[tusker]

130 grn Speer Grand Slam with 57.3 grians of H4831 works well in my old Parker Hale.
Tusker

 

[Ranger22]

If you look on the hodgdon website it says you can use it in a 22-250 with 70 gr bullet

 

[Woodsmoke]

Thanks Ranger. My barrel's a 1:14 twist though? I wonder if 70gr will stabilise ok?

 

[finnbear270]

Sako .270Win 53.3 grains Vit N160, Nosler soft point 130 grain, good for accurate hits out to 500 yards.

Ramshot Magnum, 60 grains, Nosler Partition 130 grain, another good deer round.

Hodgdon H4831, 59.5 grains, Nosler Partition my most accurate load, all shots touching @ 100 yards.

Loads safe in my rifle, start low & work up.

 

[Sinistral]

Not after any secret loads, but I have a question for the experts!

I reloaded 130g SPs earlier today using H4831 with a view to working up to an optimum load. I've reloaded 6 sets of 5, with charges weighed from 56 to 58gr, with half-grain increments. I noticed the Lee manual states a 'never exceed' of 60gr, but this won't allow a bullet to seat correctly I assume the charge would need to be compressed if you loaded it this hot?

Edit: Spelling correction

It would be pompous to claim to be an expert , but I can shed a bit of light on this question and your supplementary.

1) I've been hoarding 2 packs of yellow Speer Nitrex .270 130gr Grand Slam. This ammo flopped commercially. There are four dinky 5-round packs within each outer carton for one's breast-pocket. These are loaded with 60 grains which has to be H4831, in what are probably Federal Nickel cases. I've pulled these & clocked them over an Oehler 33, and made up matching 60gr H4831 loads (worked up) with Speer 130gr MagTip to find the speeds the same. These run at 3000 - 3100 fps.... stiff but sound.

2) I have used IMR 4350, Viht N160, and the slower Rottweil R904 in .22-250 with 55gr & 63gr. Accurate, and averagely sooty my notes say. IMR 4831 and H4831 are slower still, but will work too. Case capacity runs out before maximum speed is reached, but the .22-250 is the most versatile & flexible of all the .22CF's. I think it might run on sugar puffs if asked.

 

[Woodsmoke]

Thanks Sinistral. That's interesting. I haven't loaded for the 22-250 yet, but I had some interesting results earlier today.....

Taking Bewshers advice I loaded a few of the .270 at 54 & 55 grains as well. First group with the 54gr at 110 yards is the top left group. The rest follow right to left. The 55 grain group was lousy! If I hadn't been so consistent on the others I would've sworn I pulled the shots. The rest are pretty acceptable too, but as I don't intend to be taking shots at massive ranges I don't need to to chase the extra few fps the heavier charges will give me. AND I save powder!

Appreciate everyones' help & advice! Thanks guys

 

[Southern]

You might just want to play with the seating depth on those 54-gr loads and tighten then up a half inch, and really be set.

 

[Woodsmoke]

The groups were taken using a front bag from the bonnet of my truck at 110 yards. I reckon they're close enough for government work I'm not going to be sending them off at anything further than a couple of hundred yards away at most (and I've been told that muntjac are pretty hard to head-shoot, so I won't be trying that ), so I'm happy enough with them as they are

COL is set at 3.18" per the manual, but there's scope to tinker if I get the urge