how close to the edge is safe?

[Matthew T.]

I got a couple of sub-MOA groups in my wife's .243 with Ramshot Hunter and Barnes 85-grain TSXs. Problem is the primers were a little cratered and starting to flatten. The charges were .5 grain and 1 grain over the listed max. Hunter is supposed to be temperature resistant. Would you consider these loads safe to hunt with? Would you use them?

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

No, they are not safe. I would not use them. For hunting, all you need is minute of deer, not minute of angle or less. I suggest you look at another powder that'll provide you the same load without sounds of excessive pressure. A dead deer does you no good if you're hanging in the tree stand with half your face blown off by an exploded action. Think about what you're doing.

Regards,

Dave

 

[Walkalong]

Absolutely not. Back off a bit and I bet you still get the accuracy you want.

The last bit of velocity will not make a difference to the deer either.

 

[agd1953]

I'd have to have a lot more than MOA at stake to risk that load

 

[redneck2]

Do factory loads do the same thing?? If not, your pressures are considerably higher than factory.

 

[Slamfire]

When you are developing your loads use a chronograph. Compare the velocities against what you get with factory velocities and published velocities. When you exceed those velocities, regards of powder charge, you are too high of pressure.

As for your current loads, you are probably at max, maybe above. The problem with max loads is that a little too hot of a day, a change in anything, brass, primer, powder lot, rifle, you will start blowing primers. I do not like max loads, too darn tricky.

Anytime you are above a max published load you are in uncharted waters. You sound like too new of a reloader to be sailing right next to the breakers. Back off.

 

[ranger335v]

A wise ol' man once answered a simular question for me by saying, "The only way to know how many bricks a glass-topped table can stand is to add one brick at a time until it busts. Then take one brick off."

The point being that the only way to learn how much overpressure your rifle and/or case can take is to exceed the limits and then reduce the load by 1/2 grain of powder. All weapons and cartidge cases have slightly different pressure limits so only you can find the breaking points for yours.

????

 

[Matthew T.]

I have reloaded a few hundred rifle rounds for 6.5x55 and .243, but have always stuck to book loads. My problem here is that Barnes has not released any recipes for the TSX bullets, only recommendations. Also, Ramshot doesn't list any loads for Hunter powder and Barnes bullets of any kind for the .243. I don't have a chronograph yet, so I'm just making educated guesses for the charge weights with loads. Hunter has about the same burn rate as Reloder 19.

I've had good luck with IMR 4350 in the past. I should probably stick with that. Maybe go to H4350 for the temperature resistant bit.

 

[Walkalong]

Hunter should work fine, just back off a bit. If you are looking for a certain velocity and not getting it with Hunter without pressure signs then yes, you will have to try another powder. I have never loaded the .243 so I can't help you there. Good luck.