swampcrawler
Member
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2013
- Messages
- 584
Ok guys I loaded up some 180 gr Nosler partitions and went and shot them today. Performance was incredible (to me) about .5 inch 3 shot groups at 50. Shot through 4 and a half inch wet phone book, and the 1 gallon bleach jug behind it.. And 2 1/2 inch boards behind it, and about 3 inches infinite log behind that.
But I had some split cases.
First we fired some of my 158 gr JHPs loaded over 22 gr IMR 4227
Those were fine as expected.
Next were 2 rounds with 180 gr partitions over 21 gr of IMR 4227, but I had crimped these REALLY hard, like I can barely pull them with my kinetic puller, if I can pull them at all. They both split. One about .05 inch from the mouth, split was about .3 inch long. The other split .09 from the mouth and was about .325 long.
I boxed the remainder of those round and shot 7 rounds, same load, lighter but still quite firm crimp. 6 of the 7 were fine, but the last one split in the same mannor as the others.
I'm thinking it has to do with my crimp. (rcbs 357 mag dies)
Should I try backing the seating/crimp die out and turning the seating stem down to get a lighter crimp? (I think these dies taper crimp)
I don't think I'm loaded too hot, as the splitting was far less frequent with the lighter crimp.
I'm so happy with the performance of this load but somewhat heartbroken that it's obviously not safe.
But I had some split cases.
First we fired some of my 158 gr JHPs loaded over 22 gr IMR 4227
Those were fine as expected.
Next were 2 rounds with 180 gr partitions over 21 gr of IMR 4227, but I had crimped these REALLY hard, like I can barely pull them with my kinetic puller, if I can pull them at all. They both split. One about .05 inch from the mouth, split was about .3 inch long. The other split .09 from the mouth and was about .325 long.
I boxed the remainder of those round and shot 7 rounds, same load, lighter but still quite firm crimp. 6 of the 7 were fine, but the last one split in the same mannor as the others.
I'm thinking it has to do with my crimp. (rcbs 357 mag dies)
Should I try backing the seating/crimp die out and turning the seating stem down to get a lighter crimp? (I think these dies taper crimp)
I don't think I'm loaded too hot, as the splitting was far less frequent with the lighter crimp.
I'm so happy with the performance of this load but somewhat heartbroken that it's obviously not safe.