A word for the wise from the complacent

Accidentally loaded 162 yesterday rather than 150 didn’t notice until I picked up the brass I’d blown 3 from 5 primers, the kicker was my eyes were on the chrono as I was validating a load before ordering my cds and the numbers were perfect same velocity as the 150 even the same average sd I did notice tight bolt lift and thought I’d left a bit of oil in the chamber from a good clean looked at that brass had a good stamp but primer intact and continued teach me for having the lid off 2 box’s at once . If something doesn’t seem right chances are it isn’t stop and have a good look first mistake was wrong projectile second was assuming abit of oil left in chamber upped the pressure 3rd was shooting the rest.

Yep. Mistakes, they do happen. Always a good wake up call.
Glad you remain intact and are telling us about it.

Yep. I once, and only once, tried working up loads for two rifles at same time..... to save time. Ended up picking up the wrong tray of ammo and put a 6.5x55 through my 280AI. Now only the components I wish to use are on my bench when needed.

At least it wasn’t a 7mm08 through a 300wsm. Mate owns a sports shop. Gets to see all the whoopsies.

Attachment 267645Attachment 267646Attachment 267647

:o:o:wtfsmilie:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by whanahuia

Yep. I once, and only once, tried working up loads for two rifles at same time..... to save time. Ended up picking up the wrong tray of ammo and put a 6.5x55 through my 280AI. Now only the components I wish to use are on my bench when needed.

---

Load 1 thing at a time. Keep the powder bottle next to the scales and empty it all back into the bottle as soon as you're finished the batch.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kelton

Accidentally loaded 162 yesterday rather than 150 didn’t notice until I picked up the brass I’d blown 3 from 5 primers, the kicker was my eyes were on the chrono as I was validating a load before ordering my cds and the numbers were perfect same velocity as the 150 even the same average sd I did notice tight bolt lift and thought I’d left a bit of oil in the chamber from a good clean looked at that brass had a good stamp but primer intact and continued teach me for having the lid off 2 box’s at once . If something doesn’t seem right chances are it isn’t stop and have a good look first mistake was wrong projectile second was assuming abit of oil left in chamber upped the pressure 3rd was shooting the rest.

---

Even with the wrong bullet weight, your loads should not be hot enough to trash Alpha Munitions brass.

What sort of load were you using for the 150's?!

Almost a right of passage when reloading. Good you didn’t damage yourself or gear.

And a reason to keep the beer fridge door closed when you start loading in case you get tempted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The less complicated you make life, and the less different cartridges you load/powders&bullets for each, the less likely it is that you'll have any problems.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dicko

Almost a right of passage when reloading. Good you didn’t damage yourself or gear.

And a reason to keep the beer fridge door closed when you start loading in case you get tempted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

I was just about to say the same about the beer.
Makes me shudder when I see pictures of guys reloading with a beer on the bench.

You can't go wrong if you only have what your loading out on the bench.
You only have to put the wrong powder in the wrong container once as it makes ya cry when having to tip it out!
As for a beer on the bench, as my 93 year old mum says, moderation son!

Sent from my SM-A556E using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by caberslash

Even with the wrong bullet weight, your loads should not be hot enough to trash Alpha Munitions brass.

What sort of load were you using for the 150's?!

---

42gn 2208 fed 210 primer

[QUOTE=gimp;1652540]The less complicated you make life, and the less different cartridges you load/powders&bullets for each, the less likely it is that you'll have any problems.[/QUOTE

I only use 2208 and reloaded 26 150eldx 150lrab and 175 bergers this other box was one I thought I’d sent back with a friends rifle my bad clutter around the bench is bad for sure

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by caberslash

Even with the wrong bullet weight, your loads should not be hot enough to trash Alpha Munitions brass.

What sort of load were you using for the 150's?!

---

Also note the 162 is a different shape and was likely jammed

Not long after I started loading I mixed most of a tub w760 into a brand new tub of 2209. That was when powder was near on impossible to come by too. Expensive exercise, but haven’t had two bottles open at once since

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kelton

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gimp

The less complicated you make life, and the less different cartridges you load/powders&bullets for each, the less likely it is that you'll have any problems.

---

I only use 2208 and reloaded 26 150eldx 150lrab and 175 bergers this other box was one I thought I’d sent back with a friends rifle my bad clutter around the bench is bad for sure

---

I mean I can't really talk, I have at last count something like 15 different typres of .223 bullets sitting there. The big red stack of 80 ELDMs is pretty hard to mistake though

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kelton

42gn 2208 fed 210 primer

---

For 1 grain over max I think something else is amiss, check your scales or powder.

Attachment 267656

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kelton

Also note the 162 is a different shape and was likely jammed

---

I shoot both at the same COAL (2.8"). Unless you are doing something like a crazy 3"+ COAL I can't see how this happened.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by caberslash

I shoot both at the same COAL (2.8"). Unless you are doing something like a crazy 3"+ COAL I can't see how this happened.

---

Powders new 2208 bought new buy me custom chamber loaded to 2,935 scales are good against the beams can confirm it was jammed

ELD X to not M

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Missalot

Not long after I started loading I mixed most of a tub w760 into a brand new tub of 2209. That was when powder was near on impossible to come by too. Expensive exercise, but haven’t had two bottles open at once since

---

You only should do it once!

Sent from my SM-A556E using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kelton

Also note the 162 is a different shape and was likely jammed

---

I wouldnt have thought that was hot enough to blow primers with 162g. It's only a grain over max, even jammed. Still, I dont know your rifle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Duxbury

I wouldnt have thought that was hot enough to blow primers with 162g. It's only a grain over max, even jammed. Still, I dont know your rifle.

---

Highly dependent on alot of factors. Assuming book max is going to be the actual max in any rifle is not a good idea. All it takes is a chamber with tighter tolerances than a sloppy factory and some brass with a couple grains less capacity than the brass used for the book data and all of a sudden your grain over max is more like 5 grains over. Short of having proper pressure testing gear, Velocity is always going to be the best indicator of pressure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

Highly dependent on alot of factors. Assuming book max is going to be the actual max in any rifle is not a good idea. All it takes is a chamber with tighter tolerances than a sloppy factory and some brass with a couple grains less capacity than the brass used for the book data and all of a sudden your grain over max is more like 5 grains over. Short of having proper pressure testing gear, Velocity is always going to be the best indicator of pressure.

---

Correct 2650fps is what it measured on the chrono which seems pretty damn hot for 2208 in a 16” barrel it is a custom cut chamber to not factory

Grt suggests the pressure was at 81k psi based on velocity

Yeah, regardless of the powder charge the book says is max, for that sort of velocity in a 16” with the 150s its got to be a fair nudge over saami max. Then you accidently stick a 162 in front of it, no wonder the brass looks like that. Could have been alot worse!

Yip it appears my chamber behaves like (for arguments sakes) a tikka chamber
would if it was 3 4 grains over book max cross checking velocity’s at 42 grains the brass looks fine and the bolt lift is fine but the velocity tells a different storey I’ll call it a very efficient chamber :) uses less powder

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Missalot

Not long after I started loading I mixed most of a tub w760 into a brand new tub of 2209. That was when powder was near on impossible to come by too. Expensive exercise, but haven’t had two bottles open at once since

---

Were the granules not different enough to be able to pick them out?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kelton

Correct 2650fps is what it measured on the chrono which seems pretty damn hot for 2208 in a 16” barrel it is a custom cut chamber to not factory

---

I got to 2650 in a ladder with 162 ELDM and stopped there because of signs of excessive pressure. That was in a Tikka, 18" barrel, with Staball 6.5.

I can absolutely believe you were blowing primers with that load!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gimp

I mean I can't really talk, I have at last count something like 15 different typres of .223 bullets sitting there. The big red stack of 80 ELDMs is pretty hard to mistake though

---

You realise that TAHR has 14,638 223 projectiles on his bench awaiting a try out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by longshot

Were the granules not different enough to be able to pick them out?

---

I did try running it through a kitchen sieve hoping the w760 would drop out the bottom but after an unsuccessful hour of that I decided that wasn’t going to work, so put the bottle in the farm burn drum, loaded it up with rubbish on top, chucked a match in and stood back. Took a while for the flames to get down to it but when it did she was fairly impressive. I was standing back 50m and that was only just far enough

Was this a compressed load due to the heavier projectiles? Might also be a little too hot if you are using a factory fit chamber.
I noticed when loading for my mates with hunting rifles (browning x bolts and an old marlin 30/30) that these cant seem to take
popular warm loads you see off the net. Found myself WAY under the max just to stop the infernal pressure signs. Especially
using reloaded rack ammo brass. I've not used Alpha but those pics look scary to me.

How many cycles do you normally get with the 150gn heads?

Definitely get the calipers on the heads to check they aren't all about to crap out eh. Might be time for a new batch.