Thread: Signs of something big?

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

How I roll is any new load I load a "ladder" from minimum load data to a few grains over max data in full grain steps for an 08 sized case and maybe 1/2grn steps over max one of each.

shoot each in turn from least to most taking careful note of the force required to lift the bolt and any "stamping" of the case head which if excessive will shave off onto the bolt(your picks do not show this) once found you now have "max" for one firing in your rifle,back off untill bolt lift is normal and case head stamping is all but non existent.probably a full grain below stiff bolt lift you should find a good safe working max,a chrony is a good indicator but an indicator only,they grains you need to achieve data speed (proof of pressure more or less) may vary widely from book data.

Find max in your rifle with that brass and back off a bit from there....I see no point in reduced loads unless in a caliber that is very hard to find brass or to download for a new shooter otherwise ya may as well have a 7.62x39

Cheers, yeah i started at 41 and went up in .5 to 43, when firing the 43 it started leaving copper flakes coming from the case head all around my bolt.
forgot to mention its only a 18" barrel so some speed loss is expected.
Yup chronying every load i make =)

cheers for the knowledge all