jgh4445
Member
Nothing cataclysmic but a first for me anyway. Blown Primer!.
Custom FN Mauser actioned 7X57. Double set triggers, 23 1/2 inch barrel,gorgeous wood, immaculate condition, well cared for old gun.Bought it at a gunshow 2 weeks ago. Checked it out in every way, bore, safety, headspace set trigger function etc. Contactedthe previous owner. 87 years old, said he couldn't hunt anymore and had sold it. Had it built in the late 60's. His favorite rifle that had killed game all over the world.
Been working up a load with WLR primers, 140 gr Accubonds, 140 gr Berger VLDs, Norma brass and IMR 4350 powder. Seating depth is 3.100. Fits in the mag well fine. The bullet is .002 off the lands. Found out early that it doesn't like the VLDs. May be the 1 in 10 twist. At 100 yds, the AB's shot really well with a group of two in one hole and a flyer opening up the group to 1 inch. I was using the Nosler book and had worked my way up to 48 grains to get that group. I had some 49 grain loads loaded but had to quit for the day. I decided I would go back the next day.
While at home I got to thinking ( which might be the root of the problem) that I could do a bit more than the book loads. I loaded up some more 48 gr loads to see if they really were that good, kept the 49 grain loads to try (BOOK MAX) and loaded up three 49.5gr and three 50 grain loads to try. The next morning I set out for the range.
It was 87 degrees with 60 percent humidity. The 4350 I was using is probably early 1980's vintage, surely older than my reloading manual at any rate.
Shot the three 48 grain loads and again, two in one hole, the 3rd went out to the same place the flyer went the day before. Strange. Compared the two targets and they almost could overlap! Next was the book max 49 grain load. Group was .699. Now for the over book max. First shot dead on, second, an inch away, third was still within an inch but had no primer!! Smokey hole in the back of the case where a dented primer should have been. The bolt never got sticky or heavy; none of the cases exhibited any signs of excessive pressure. Did not shoot the 50 gr loads.
I'm chasing the 2900 fps mark and have read on many forums of shooters using 50 grains with this bullet and having really good results. Many also use H4350 up to 50 grains. This is a first for me in almost 50 years of loading. Lots of things could have caused it including an out of spec primer pocket, older powder that has a different reaction rate than the new powder the book is referring to, ( All primers were seated .005 below flush). What do you guys think? When I ask what you think, there's no need to say "You are stupid for exceeding book max..that may be the real answer, but then why do books vary in loads..."
Custom FN Mauser actioned 7X57. Double set triggers, 23 1/2 inch barrel,gorgeous wood, immaculate condition, well cared for old gun.Bought it at a gunshow 2 weeks ago. Checked it out in every way, bore, safety, headspace set trigger function etc. Contactedthe previous owner. 87 years old, said he couldn't hunt anymore and had sold it. Had it built in the late 60's. His favorite rifle that had killed game all over the world.
Been working up a load with WLR primers, 140 gr Accubonds, 140 gr Berger VLDs, Norma brass and IMR 4350 powder. Seating depth is 3.100. Fits in the mag well fine. The bullet is .002 off the lands. Found out early that it doesn't like the VLDs. May be the 1 in 10 twist. At 100 yds, the AB's shot really well with a group of two in one hole and a flyer opening up the group to 1 inch. I was using the Nosler book and had worked my way up to 48 grains to get that group. I had some 49 grain loads loaded but had to quit for the day. I decided I would go back the next day.
While at home I got to thinking ( which might be the root of the problem) that I could do a bit more than the book loads. I loaded up some more 48 gr loads to see if they really were that good, kept the 49 grain loads to try (BOOK MAX) and loaded up three 49.5gr and three 50 grain loads to try. The next morning I set out for the range.
It was 87 degrees with 60 percent humidity. The 4350 I was using is probably early 1980's vintage, surely older than my reloading manual at any rate.
Shot the three 48 grain loads and again, two in one hole, the 3rd went out to the same place the flyer went the day before. Strange. Compared the two targets and they almost could overlap! Next was the book max 49 grain load. Group was .699. Now for the over book max. First shot dead on, second, an inch away, third was still within an inch but had no primer!! Smokey hole in the back of the case where a dented primer should have been. The bolt never got sticky or heavy; none of the cases exhibited any signs of excessive pressure. Did not shoot the 50 gr loads.
I'm chasing the 2900 fps mark and have read on many forums of shooters using 50 grains with this bullet and having really good results. Many also use H4350 up to 50 grains. This is a first for me in almost 50 years of loading. Lots of things could have caused it including an out of spec primer pocket, older powder that has a different reaction rate than the new powder the book is referring to, ( All primers were seated .005 below flush). What do you guys think? When I ask what you think, there's no need to say "You are stupid for exceeding book max..that may be the real answer, but then why do books vary in loads..."
