.348 Win Data NOT From Hodgdon

[Bringsteen]

I have been working up some loads for my Winchester 71 chambered in .348 Winchester. Hornady now makes a Flex-Tip bullet for it. For an old/weird cartridge, it is a good performer.

My problem is that I can't find reloading data using powder from anywhere but the Hodgdon family. Winchester, Hodgdon, and IMR data are all that I can find. I even purchased the 9th Edition of the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading specifically for .348 data, but all they show is Winchester, Hodgdon, and IMR data as well.

I have gone to the other propellant websites to look for data, but was unsuccessful.

Does anyone have .348 Win. data that they'd care to share that uses powder from Alliant, Accurate Arms, Norma, VihtaVuori, Ramshot, or any others? This cartridge is too interesting to have such a narrow range of propellant options.

 

[LeonCarr]

Have you tried your local public library to see if they have any old reloading manuals you can check out?

Also many of the powder companies you mentioned in your post were not around when the .348 was popular.

Also, when using older data for older cartridges and with newer better performing powders I strongly loading the minimum starting load first and working up following safe reloading practices. A Model 71 is a terrible thing to waste.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Bringsteen]

I have considered digging up some old manuals for data. However, what I am interested in is finding data for the newer powders. I suspect that many companies do not do the testing on their powders because the .348 Winchester is comparatively rare, and they don't anticipate selling much powder for it. But like all cult cartridges, once owners find a load that works well, they will stock up.

Again, if anyone has data for these other powders, I'd be delighted to see it.

 

[buck460XVR]

Have you tried your local public library to see if they have any old reloading manuals you can check out?

Since the Hornady Flex-Tip is a recent addition to reloading components, there is very little info on it even in newer manuals, much less in older ones. Since it is a Hornady proprietary bullet and they worked closely with Hodgdon to develop factory loads for it in all of the calibers it's produced for, I can understand their reluctance to include other powder brands at this time. Why the reluctance from the OP to using Hodgdon/Win/IMR powders?

 

[rcmodel]

Sounds like you need a Lyman #49 loading manual.

They list a 200 grain bullet with:
IMR-4895, IMR-4064, Varget, IMR-4320, N140, RX15, N540, N150, N550, AA2700, IMR-4350, XMR-4350, and H-4831.

rc

 

[Bringsteen]

I am not reluctant to use Hodgdon/Win/IMR powders; I just want to see what other options are available. I am getting good velocity and accuracy with H4350. But propellants have advanced so much in the last ten years that older cartridges are getting new leases on life.

My prediction is that there is at least one propellant outside the Hodgdon family that provides higher velocity and equal accuracy at safe pressures, than what I already have.

 

[Bringsteen]

Apparently, I DO need a Lyman #49 Manual. Thanks! I cast for the .348 as well, so that should be quite valuable.

 

[rcmodel]

Well, the bad news is, they don't show any lead bullet data for the .348 Win in the Lyman #49.
One of the few calibers they don't.
Maybe the Lyman cast bullet handbook does?

But Lyman discontinued it's .348 bullet molds some time ago, so maybe not.

It's just the .348 was always kinda an orphan caliber and not much effort was spent developing data for it.

Here is a little bit here:
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/model71.htm

http://www.lasc.us/taylormod71win348wcf.htm

rc

 

[Bringsteen]

Thanks for the info.

One problem with the dearth of data is that with a gun like this, you can't afford to experiment. It's old, and it's a lever action.

 

[LeonCarr]

Also, I believe Barnes still makes several .348 diameter bullets, both the original lead core style and the X/TSX all copper type. They might be a good source of .348 Winchester data if you can get your hands on one of their manuals.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Bringsteen]

Thanks. I will look into getting a Barnes Reloading Manual. That's a good idea.

 

[FROGO207]

An email to Ramshot or Accurate will be necessary. their Balastician Johan Loubster is really helpful when it comes to finding something that will work for you from either company. Just tell him what firearm and the cartridge and type of bullet you plan on using and he will find something for you to try. He even found some 33 WIN data for me to use a while ago.

 

[918v]

I have QuickLoad. Ha!

 

[788Ham]

Go onto Hornady's website, they have a load comparator section. You type in the caliber, bullet weight, they'll show you which powders will work, plus fps on each load.

 

[gpb]

Concerning load data for the .348 Win.

rcmodel wrote in post #8

"Maybe the Lyman cast bullet handbook does?

But Lyman discontinued it's .348 bullet molds some time ago, so maybe not."

I have the Third Edition of the 'Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook". On page 213 they list loads for the 187 grain and 255 grain cast bullets. I don't know if the molds are available from Lyman.

MidwayUSA lists a RCBS mold.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/18...er-349-diameter-200-grain-flat-nose-gas-check

 

[powell&hyde]

Here is a scan from Lee #2 modern reloading that might be able to help you, you can also call or email Hornady and they will reply with load data since the bullet your using is current.

 

[Bringsteen]

Go onto Hornady's website, they have a load comparator section. You type in the caliber, bullet weight, they'll show you which powders will work, plus fps on each load.

I didn't know that Hornady had load comparator section. Thanks!

 

[Bringsteen]

Concerning load data for the .348 Win.

rcmodel wrote in post #8

"Maybe the Lyman cast bullet handbook does?

But Lyman discontinued it's .348 bullet molds some time ago, so maybe not."

I have the Third Edition of the 'Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook". On page 213 they list loads for the 187 grain and 255 grain cast bullets. I don't know if the molds are available from Lyman.

MidwayUSA lists a RCBS mold.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/18...er-349-diameter-200-grain-flat-nose-gas-check

I do have the RCBS mold, but I've not tried to extrapolate from those loads to the Flex-Tip yet.

 

[Bringsteen]

Here is a scan from Lee #2 modern reloading that might be able to help you, you can also call or email Hornady and they will reply with load data since the bullet your using is current.

This is really cool. Thank you.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I loaded a bit for a friends .348 back in the '90's when Browning made a run of the Miroku produced Winchester lever actions.

I pretty much found out the same thing that Ken Waters had to say about the cartridge. Powders pretty much were H4895 and IMR4350.
Not much that can be done with the cartridge that can't be done with those two powders...
However, it would be interesting to see if Reloader17 reponds well in the old shell shucker...

 

[Bringsteen]

Yes, Reloader 17 does look promising. My Winchester 71 has a 24" barrel, so 17 might work pretty well.