coloradokevin
Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,285
I'm in the process of developing some hunting loads for my 8mm Mauser (M48 surplus rifle), and have encountered a few questions regarding compressed loads. I don't normally dabble much in compressed loads, so this is fairly new territory to me!
Today I'm loading 180 grain Barnes TSX BT bullets, using H380 powder. This powder shows a starting load of 49.5 grains, and a maximum load of 54.5 grains. The Barnes data also shows a COAL of 2.980", which I have to admit is a good chunk shorter than what I've been developing with some Sierra bullets! I should also note that, due to availability, I am using new Winchester brass (rather than the Remington that was listed in the data). This brass has been full-length sized and fully prepped.
(LINK TO PUBLISHED DATA: http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/8x57mmMauserWeb.pdf )
Anyway, I noticed that my very first loads (at 49.5 grains) seem to be compressed, even well before I've seated the bullet to the listed COAL. Although I have seated these bullets to the published COAL, I still can't help but wonder how this load will possibly fit in the case with another 5 grains of powder? Because of the fact that I'm building this ammo for hunting, I'd like to get the most power out of these loads that I can... But, having not dealt with compressed loads much in the past, I'm wondering if I'm heading down a dangerous road if the STARTING loads are already compressed?
For sake of clarification, I'm obviously planning to work my way up to maximum loads... I just wonder if it is even worth trying to load any heavier charges, given that the "light" loads are already compressed?
Any help that you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated!
Today I'm loading 180 grain Barnes TSX BT bullets, using H380 powder. This powder shows a starting load of 49.5 grains, and a maximum load of 54.5 grains. The Barnes data also shows a COAL of 2.980", which I have to admit is a good chunk shorter than what I've been developing with some Sierra bullets! I should also note that, due to availability, I am using new Winchester brass (rather than the Remington that was listed in the data). This brass has been full-length sized and fully prepped.
(LINK TO PUBLISHED DATA: http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/8x57mmMauserWeb.pdf )
Anyway, I noticed that my very first loads (at 49.5 grains) seem to be compressed, even well before I've seated the bullet to the listed COAL. Although I have seated these bullets to the published COAL, I still can't help but wonder how this load will possibly fit in the case with another 5 grains of powder? Because of the fact that I'm building this ammo for hunting, I'd like to get the most power out of these loads that I can... But, having not dealt with compressed loads much in the past, I'm wondering if I'm heading down a dangerous road if the STARTING loads are already compressed?
For sake of clarification, I'm obviously planning to work my way up to maximum loads... I just wonder if it is even worth trying to load any heavier charges, given that the "light" loads are already compressed?
Any help that you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated!