Recent content by notropis

Varget was one of the powders I tried with the 69 grain SMK. With this particular rifle, Varget along with the 69 SMK was the least accurate load made.

Just to follow up. The 69 SMK perform as accurately as all the 55 grain projectiles used previously. They performed best with Reloader 15 powder @ 22.4 grains. The 69 grain SMK did stabilize fine, they did not impress me with this rifle. I used three different powders at three different powder...

Well, I guess I should qualify my unsatisfactory accuracy comment. The 55 grain projectiles do ok. Good enough to kill a coyote at 200 yards. The groups look a lot like sirgilligans. Once I used starting loads with 62 grain projectiles and slower powder, ten shot groups were the size of a nickel...

I did try a few lighter projectiles but did not do complete powder work up's with them. The lighter projectiles were no more accurate than the 55 grains. I will load up some 69 grain SMK's and see how they do. I'll also report back once I get back to the range. I think it's a little odd...

Good Link Apples. Thanks for the read.

This fall I bought a new Savage Axis II in .223 Rem. The only modification is a new stock. Hornady FMJ work well in my AR's so I thought I'd see what kind of accuracy I could get with the new Savage. Using H335 powder and starting at "start load" working up in .5 grain increments, I could not...

Tomatoes don't need a ton of nitrogen. In fact, too much will inhibit fruit production.

I've decided not to use the powder. I see no point in wasting time working up loads with this stuff. I do see some inherent problems with this scenario though. The powder smelled like new. The powder looked great until metering and the rust dust was evident. This powder degradation would...

I can't disagree with you rcmodel. The outside of the can is pristine. It has however been kept in a cool basement inside a sealed ammo can. I find it hard to believe (or at the least very disappointed) the powder has broken down so quickly under ideal conditions. If this were kept in a...

The inside of the can does have a small bit of rust visible at the top of the can. I use a Lyman 55 measure. When I use the "knocker", red dust coats the top of the measured powder. When I pour the powder on paper, it looks fine. The paper looks cruddy afterwards and so does the funnel...

I opened an ammo can (with a good seal) and broke a seal on a "new" can of IMR 4320. Red dust comes from the powder when I dispense. The powder smells good but I understand this (red dust) may be a sign of old powder and I should not use? I'd sure hate to toss out a can of powder I just...

I appreciate your help fellas. The PDF you posted agrees with (or very similar to) current Hodgdon data for 240 grain lead. I'll get to work on this load and thanks again. I now feel a lot more comfortable working on this one.

Okay, I emailed Hodgdon this morning and they responded with lightning speed. I asked: "Is the load data for 200 grain LRNFP 44 magnum correct? If not please advise." Hodgdon reply: I also asked: "How can I overcome the incomplete combustion with the 44 special?" Hodgdon reply: I...

Gamestalker, I have loaded and shot the start charge for 44 SPL and that caused my post. When loading 6.4 grains of IMR 800X, it feels extremely weak and I often have unburned powder. I should mention that I use a projectile that has crimp groove and I make sure to use it. John C, In...

This is a new round for me to reload and I'm having some issues. I'm trying to work up a load using IMR 800 to propel a 200 grain lead round nose flat point with CCI #300 primer (standard large pistol). I'm seeing lots of unburned powder. Is this primarily a problem with the powder or may a...