Hot Load

[stovepipe699]

When I was working up a 180 gr load for my 30-06 bolt action, I reached a hot load. (The head on the cases had shiny spots and the bolt was sticky once) It was 57 gr of H4350 with F-C brass and a 9 1/2 REM primer. Hodgdon lists max load as 57.5, but with WW brass and primer. Is 56 gr safe? It put 5 shots in 7/8'' at 110 yards and chrony said 2840 fps. I don't see signs of too much pressure, but I'm also unsure what to do since I've never reached a hot load before.

 

[BsChoy]

I would back off .5 grains and see how that shoots for you. Not worth the risk for an additional 15-20 fps.

 

[loadedround]

From the signs you have listed you have defintely reached an overload situation. Different brands of brass have different internal capacities, and that's why if you alter components you should back off at least 5% and work up to your rifles max load. I suggest you back off 1 or 2 grains and try your combo again, if no signs of pressure increase powder 0.5 gr at a time until you reach your maximum load. You won't lose much velocity and you will resolve your hot load problem. Good luck

 

[stovepipe699]

I'm going to try some at 55.5 and see how they group. When I worked up, I did 1 grain at a time. Is there a rule of thumb for how much to back off?

 

[musher]

I might have misunderstood, but I think you're saying that 57.5 showed pressure signs and that 56 grains shot into 7/8" and showed no signs of excess pressure.

The 56 grain load sounds to me like a keeper. It's 1.5 grains down from the overload, should be ok.

You SHOULD retest the situation when you use a different bunch of brass.

Edited to add, when I work up rifle loads, I usually work in .5 grain increments.

 

[joneb]

I'd try some different primers.

 

[Bullet]

One thing to remember when loading at or near MAX. Pressure will probably go up as temperatures go up.

 

[loadedround]

Rule of thumb is back off at least 5% or even 10% if your load is exessive.

 

[stovepipe699]

Thanks for the advise guys. Just to clarify, my hot load was 57 gr. The load that seemed good was 56. I started at 53 gr and worked up to 57 1 grain at a time b/c I was in a hurry to go moose hunting with the load. I was almost out of powder so I loaded up some 56gr rounds and went hunting. I didn't get to fire any rounds, but now I got more powder. I'm hoping 55.5 will shoot better than 56 did, so I can have more safety margin. 55 gr shot 1.5'' so I wasn't too happy with it. I guess I might have to try my R-P brass or diferent primers.