Small reloading hiccup question

[killertom]

Hi guys, just a quick question from a relative newbie to reloading.

I loaded a few rounds of 7x57 Mauser the other day that I intend to fire in an 1895 Chilean Mauser. I was using Norma 204 powder and 160gr. Sierra Gameking bullets.

The Norma website states a minimum powder charge for this combination as 44gr. After I finished loading I realized I loaded 43gr only for some strange reason. Brain fart I guess.

I was wondering if it was safe to fire these loads, or I should just pull them and add that 1gr to the charge?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

 

[FROGO207]

They should be OK in the rifle. If anything the lower pressure will not seal the brass as well and the casings might be sooty at the necks/shoulders. The point of impact might be different as well but should be close to the starting charge ones. If you do not want to "waste" these rounds by all means redo them with a larger charge. I would dump the propellant and start from scratch rather than adding the 1 grain however if I did this.

 

[Starter52]

I would go ahead and shoot them and not be concerned. I doubt you will notice any difference between a 43 grain vs. 44 grain load.

 

[killertom]

Thanks guys, I was really wondering if a 1gr undercharge could cause a dangerous pressure spike, but I'm assuming it's too small of a difference to matter.

Thanks again!

 

[PJSprog]

Your 1gr is only a 2.2% decrease, so you don't need to worry about it. It'll shoot just fine. I, too, have loaded those 160gr Sierra's for my '95 Chilean Mauser, and it's a very good bullet in front of H4350 or H4895. Haven't used 204, though.

At least you're checking and rechecking your loads. Out of curiosity, though, how did you catch the mistake?

 

[killertom]

Thanks for your help! Well, not much magic in it, I guess I'm just a bit too careful, I individually weigh every powder charge with an analog scale, and then I also weigh the completed rounds of ammo to check how consistent they are. It's a slow process, but I don't really load all that much.

Regarding this specific instant, I carefully weighed the 43gr powder charges for each round, and when I was finished loading I just went to double check the load data on the Norma site. And then I saw the minimum listed at 44gr . I guess it was a mistake to rely on my memory in determining the powder charge, should have checked before...

 

[FROGO207]

I always write down ALL the particulars of what I am loading each time and double check back there where it is posted above the press if any doubt. Relying on ones memory has caused problems in the past for me I no longer do it.

 

[killertom]

Yes, I learned that with this little incident. It's just luck that I don't have to pull the rounds I made already since it's just a minor mistake. But I'll be sure to note down everything when the next round of loading comes - this is a good excuse to treat myself to a reloader's logbook .