[griff383]

I recently picked up a Ruger PC4 and wanted something that has a little zip for small game applications, the lightest bullet that I could find that could be used for hunting / plinking was the Nosler 135gr JHP.

Longshot showed the greatest potential (highest velocity) so I went that route and used WSP primers.

Hodgdon lists 8.5 grains as min and 11.5 as max with this bullet. I loaded 5 of each 8.5, 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5 figuring I would find the most accurate load then break the load down to dial it in.

The attached pic shows the 8.5gr and 9.5gr load fired casings, the top two are 8.5 and the bottom are 9.5. Im not sure how well you can see but the 8.5 look normal while the 9.5 appear to be cratered but the primers still hold a radius on the edges. The recoil was greater with the 9.5 load but nothing that seemed over the top. I had my chronograph with but the range was busy so I didnt use it.

I spoke with several seasoned reloaders and they had mixed ideas, some thought that I was starting to enter high pressure / unsafe territory. Others said it might be that the WSP primers were soft and thats where I got the cratering from. It was suggested that I try a harder cup such as remington or cci and see if happens with those.

Input?

[JLDickmon]

primer.

If you had flattened out the corners AND extruded the cup back into the firing pin hole, I'd be saying overcharge..

you do realize you're going back to Square One on your workup by changing primer I hope..

[griff383]

you do realize you're going back to Square One on your workup by changing primer I hope..

Absolutely

[griff383]

I just got back from the range with really good results. I switched primers to CCI and they held up fine with no signs of over pressure even at max loads.

Average velocity at max was 1820fps and accuracy was best with this load. I had a real nice ragged hole at 25 yards. Next time I get out Ill try some longer distances to see if the accuracy holds up.

[bfoosh006]

1820fps ? Thats a typo right ?

[Presto]

1820 fps probably isn't a mistake. That same load is a little over 1400 from my Beretta 96. He's shooting a carbine that makes good use of a slower burning powder like Longshot.