Reloading 8x56R with H4350

[dispatch55126]

I've got 205gr. bullets that I'm going to reload using H4350 for my 8x56R. Load data for bullets up to 170gr. show 48-54gr of powder. The tables then skip ahead to 220gr. bullets which show 41-48 gr. of powder.

Should I split the difference and start my loads at 46gr. of H4350 or does anyone have load data for this cartridge/powder type?

Thanks.

 

[Half-Cocked]

I ran two series of 8x56R test loads late last year, using Graf's (Prvi) brass and Hornady 205-grain .329" bullets. I was just trying to get a feel for safe load ranges with H4350 and IMR 4895 powders.

Data here: http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=10722&highlight=8x56r

...I have deferred any additional load testing until I get a chronometer, but I was confident enough afterwards to load up a box of 50 cartridges using 50 grains of H4350, just to have something to shoot.

 

[Kernel]

NCsmitty,

2.880" seems kinda stubby. Why so short? My reference shows max OAL is 3.020" for this cartridge. 200gr bullets are awfully long to begin with. Not saying your posted loads are unsafe, but, in general, loading short adds no benefit, but eats into powder space and can cause pressure to spike prematurely.

Half-Cocked,

How long is the magazine in a Steyr 1895/34? (I'm guessing that we're all talking about here). How many grains of water will an empty 8x56R case hold, on average, when filled to the mouth? I'm guessing 60 gr.

Got my C&R a few months back and have been eyeballing these rifles.

 

[NCsmitty]

2.880" seems kinda stubby. Why so short?

Kernel, That was the dimension listed for that particular bullet at the pay site that I use.
Other loads listed show a COAL of 3.00".

As most experienced reloaders know, COAL is a dimension that is not etched in stone. COAL can change based on the style of bullet used, spitzer compared to flat point for instance. It can also vary based on magazine length and/or length to the rifling leade

Capacity of H20 is listed as 65.5gr.

NCsmitty

 

[Kernel]

NCsmitty,

Thanks. I understand how bullet shape can effect cartridge length. That's why it's weird that load had such a short COAL, given that the bullets are so long and the action length is obviously not the limiting factor. Not everything has a good reason, I guess.