If a load is shooting great would you keep it if it showed primers starting to flatten. Or back it down at the cost of a little accuracy
Flat primers could be a lot of things. Federals flatten no matter what. Take a set of Mics if you have some and measure the case expansion at the webbing. You need to compare it to a new case however. If it expands more than .003" to .005", she is getting hot. Even this isn't the end all be all of measureing pressure. Along with that, primers flattening, and noted bolt lift, I make that decision.
I never let primer flattening alone tell me not to shoot it. Primer peircing is a different matter. Primer flattening with heavy bolt lift, then I back off.
Flat primers could be a lot of things. Federals flatten no matter what. Take a set of Mics if you have some and measure the case expansion at the webbing. You need to compare it to a new case however. If it expands more than .003" to .005", she is getting hot. Even this isn't the end all be all of measureing pressure. Along with that, primers flattening, and noted bolt lift, I make that decision.
I never let primer flattening alone tell me not to shoot it. Primer peircing is a different matter. Primer flattening with heavy bolt lift, then I back off.
+1----Well put.
If I remember correctly you like single shots, so you may not have a bolt rifle. But sticky extraction is pretty close to heavier bolt lift. Tom.
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West by God Virginia.
We need to stop using these terms today, "Sniper Rifle", "Tactical", "Assault Weapon".
It is a sinle shot and it is a little harder to pop open. What and where do you classify the webbing on a cartridge.
I am still having trouble with this barrell, it went from 4" groups to 2" but thats it.
It wont do any better and the 3 loads it did the 2" groups with were hot loads. 2.5 gr lower it opens up bad.
But I have only tried two powders. W 760 and Varget. Any idea which other powder I should try.
What cartridge?? Are you shooting a light or a heavy for caliber bullet?? And what is the twist rate of the firearm??
I had a single shot NEF that was a 223. I could not get it to shoot-period. Then I had the throat measured, and it was unbelievably long. I think they made them to shoot the military heavies(just a guess).
By pop open do you mean automatic extraction of fired casings?? Or do you mean the action is hard to open?? I am not sure how a hot load would make the action hard to open?? I shoot some hot loads in my Encore's, but it does not affect the opening of the action, but it does affect the extraction. Tom.
__________________
West by God Virginia.
We need to stop using these terms today, "Sniper Rifle", "Tactical", "Assault Weapon".
how much are they flattened? check the casehead expansion, are the primer pockets still tight? are you on the lands or back off them? how much?
casehead expansion tells you pressure but it doesn't tell you why. I've blown primers with the bullet touching the lands, back it off .030 and they're fine, and 150 fps faster.
RR
7mm-08 I am trying 2 different bullet weights 120,s and 140,s
Both shot the best 2" groups on hot loads. .02 off the lands 1-10 twist
When I mean hard to pop open , the release bar becomes hard to push to pop open.
This same gun with my hornet barrel will group 1" all say long sometimes even better than that. This barrell will not do it. 4" with factory ammo. I think I will sell the barrell. I think I am done with it.