[Rmeju]

I'd really like to get into more rifle shooting, so I've invested quite a bit into loading for my M1 and AR.

Case prep aside, measuring out my charges seems to be really slowing me down, but perhaps I'm being a bit too anal about how far off is "too" far off.

Last night I threw some loads together in 30-06. I'm using a Hornady measure with rifle rotor & insert, measuring with a Dillon beam scale. Powder is H4895. Charge weight was 42 grains with a 150gr Rem PSP. The measure seemed to be throwing within +/- .4 or .5... about 80% of which was actually -0.2.

Should I trust that and stop measuring every charge (it took forever to put 100 rounds together) or was I justified in all that measuring? What sort of +/- error do you guys let go for that kind of a rifle load?

While I'm here, how strict are you about primer pocket cleanliness. Do they get the once over, or are they spic n' span when you're done with 'em? I seem to get most of the gunk out of there with minimal effort, but to get the last little bit out requires what seems like more effort than it's worth. What say you?

Thanks!

Reid

[Zak Smith]

If you're well under max and you can accept the velocity deviation, then it can be OK.

I aim to keep charges within 0.1 gr, but I do not clean primer pocket other than tumbling.

[454PB]

I recently pulled down 40 rounds of Remington factory loaded 300 H&H magnum ammo. I measured the powder charges in each round, and I was surprised to find it varied nearly 2 grains, with an average weight of 65 grains. That's about a 3% deviation.

Personally, I weigh every round for my rifles, using a Lyman DPS 1200 dispenser most recently. Using this system, all my powder charges are within .1 grain. All my handgun ammo is simply measure thrown, but I use ball powders that are very consistent from a powder measure. I weigh check every tenth round or so.

I clean primer pockets every third loading or so just out of habit, but I don't really think it's necessary.

[USSR]

Last night I threw some loads together in 30-06. I'm using a Hornady measure with rifle rotor & insert, measuring with a Dillon beam scale. Powder is H4895. Charge weight was 42 grains with a 150gr Rem PSP.

Reid,

That's a seriously underload you got there. You need to add more powder.

Don

[Rmeju]

Thanks for all the responses so far.

@USSR.... I got that out of the Speer book as the starting load for that bullet? Are you sure I'm going to have trouble?

[lordgroom]

The primer pocket question is being addressed in an active:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=373851

That seems like a large spread for your powder charge. I have heard a .1/ .2 variance does not dramatically change accuracy.

[yesit'sloaded]

I was under the impression that the starting load for 4895 was closer to 45 or 46 grains. I think your underloaded. I'm using the Hogdon Manual.

[ar10]

I was using the Hornady 7th for my .308 service data. The first loads were way too low and the bolt jambed requiring us to put a bar on the charging trigger to eject the cartridge. Since the first loads I started looking at the manufacturer, Hogdon, and found pretty big differences between the two. What I ended up doing is picking a "happy medium" between the two. I've gotten into the habit of checking every 5th load. I also look at all my cartridges while in still in the tray just to compare them. If I see one that "looks" different I dump the powder in a tray, tap the cartridge and re-weigh it.

I have a Lyman electronic and the hornady beam scale, both never matched each other. I have always been -.2 to .5 grains off. After reading a bunch of posts on the subject and the advertisements from the vendor/sellers of the scales I firmly believe they are all off some, and not perfect. I suppose if you buy one of those gazillion dollar balance scales you'll be right on.

I started using an ultrasonic from HF. It cleans the primer pockets well enough for me. I don't ream or clean primer pockets. The minute I pull the trigger they're just going to get everything dirty again.

[USSR]

@USSR.... I got that out of the Speer book as the starting load for that bullet? Are you sure I'm going to have trouble?

I'm running 49.5gr of 4895 with 144gr bullets thru my Garand, and it's not a particularly hot load. Bump your charge weight up at least 4.0 grains.

Don

[ForneyRider]

For plinking rifle load, I use the Lee dippers with a min. charge.

For accuracy, I go with +-.1 grain idea with prepped brass of same headstamp. I don't weight sort them or trim shoulders, but I don't compete or have a tight chamber either. I trim the length on the rifle cases after each load, but I use the neck-sizer die, and the trim required is very minimal.

I clean my primer pockets because the tumbling media(rice, pecan shell, corn cob) tends to get stuck in there.

[30Cal]

I shoot for +/- 0.3grs for match ammo. +/-0.1grs for stuff used at 600+yds.

[TexasSkyhawk]

For all of my bolt-action and lever-action rifle cartridges, I'm anal and meticulous. I clean the primer pockets, debur the flash-hole, do a light chamfer on the pocket.

I'm looking for maximum consistency out of each round.

I also use a powder trickler for every loaded round.

Also agree that 42 grains of 4895 is undercharged.

Jeff

[Rmeju]

Are you saying the Speer manual has betrayed me?

If I bumped up the load 4 grains, I'd be at the max... would they really publish data so far off?

Reid

[USSR]

Are you saying the Speer manual has betrayed me?

If I bumped up the load 4 grains, I'd be at the max... would they really publish data so far off?

Yes and Yes.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=375160

Don

[NCsmitty]

That's why it is important to cross reference to other manuals, both hard copies and online. Here's a link to Hodgden's load site: http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
They show a start load at 46 gr. of H4895 with a 150 gr. Nosler BT.
A serious reloader does not rely on one manual alone.

NCsmitty