It was about 80 degrees Tuesday when I shot these. I can tell you I shot it when it was cold as hell outside and velocities were about the same. at 46.0 gr I am 1.5 grains below the max charge in Hornady manual. I am not sure I want to go up any higher as how much velocity is normal for a 168 gr bullet? Im at 2858 and that seems to me to be pushing the envelope. Hodgdon says starting load is 46.6gr and max load is 49.0gr which should deliver 2828fps. they are testing with a 1:12 24" barrel and I am running a 1:10 24" barrel. I am using same primers they tested with Fed 210M.
Thoughts?
Dom
Are we talking 30-40 degrees colder when you did the initial run? 80 isnt bad, but I still wouldnt leave my rifle and ammo sit in the sun on a 80 degree day and expect to not be over pressure.
What cases are you using? LC or commercial?
I dont trust my Hornady manuals for max charge to be honest. They are a guideline for me. Every single load Ive done for rifle in the last 5 years has been very close to or above Hornady book max. I actually prefer the Lyman and Hodgdon data as its more realistic, at least for me.
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but barrel twist rates shouldnt effect velocities much, if at all.
As far as you going too fast for a 168 at 46gr? Hell, Id push it a little more. You might have another node around 48gr with a book max of 49gr of CFE223. The only concern Id have with that is if you are using LC cases. Load em up, shoot carefully, check for pressure signs, and if thats all good, are you getting an accurate load at the higher velocities? If you are, then you are winning the reloading game, because you have a safe, accurate, fast load, with the order of importance being in that order as well.
