Cain R
Member
Had my Savage '06 rechambered to .30 Gibbs, basically an improved '06.
First trouble fire-forming. The info I have suggests a case forming load of 50 gr IMR-4895 and a 180 gr bullet seated out to touch the lands, okay fine, first three cases, new '06 Norma brass, nearly complete case head seperation.
So, next fireform load, 50 grs IMR-4350 165 gr bullet seated to touch the lands, and new Winchester brass, success. Hmmm, excpet for the noticable bulge at the case head. After cutting open a few to check it looked like there is no seperation just a tiny bulge, a couple of more experience wildcatters said not to worry, its normal, okay.
First shot with 62grs IMR-4350, 165gr bullets (moly coated Hornady Interlocks) a load 4 grains under the published max that I have, showed almost complete head seperation about 1/8" above the bulge. Okay enough with that.
178 gr Hornady A-Max, 65grs H-4831SC, is giving me three shot groups of .635", .769" and the best, .468", BUT, one in three cases is showing a severe bulge and when cut open the very plain indications of soon to be case head seperation.
Now, what am I doing wrong??? Is the published data way too hot, for my rifle, or am I doing something wrong in the fire forming step? :banghead:
First trouble fire-forming. The info I have suggests a case forming load of 50 gr IMR-4895 and a 180 gr bullet seated out to touch the lands, okay fine, first three cases, new '06 Norma brass, nearly complete case head seperation.
So, next fireform load, 50 grs IMR-4350 165 gr bullet seated to touch the lands, and new Winchester brass, success. Hmmm, excpet for the noticable bulge at the case head. After cutting open a few to check it looked like there is no seperation just a tiny bulge, a couple of more experience wildcatters said not to worry, its normal, okay.
First shot with 62grs IMR-4350, 165gr bullets (moly coated Hornady Interlocks) a load 4 grains under the published max that I have, showed almost complete head seperation about 1/8" above the bulge. Okay enough with that.
178 gr Hornady A-Max, 65grs H-4831SC, is giving me three shot groups of .635", .769" and the best, .468", BUT, one in three cases is showing a severe bulge and when cut open the very plain indications of soon to be case head seperation.
Now, what am I doing wrong??? Is the published data way too hot, for my rifle, or am I doing something wrong in the fire forming step? :banghead: