Quick question, if you're at max powder charge, and the velocity isn't what you were hoping for (given all else is good, throat, bore, etc etc) do you try a faster or slower powder to boost velocity? (25" barrel .308 168gr)
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Hmmm??? Am not sure what you're actually referring to regarding "max powder charge"??? You talking about max fill on the case or max pressure (like pressure signs)?Quick question, if you're at max powder charge, and the velocity isn't what you were hoping for (given all else is good, throat, bore, etc etc) do you try a faster or slower powder to boost velocity? (25" barrel .308 168gr)
Look at the factory load data and find a powder that provides what you are looking for or step up to a bigger cartridge. Loading above book max isn't a game I'm interested in playing.Quick question, if you're at max powder charge, and the velocity isn't what you were hoping for (given all else is good, throat, bore, etc etc) do you try a faster or slower powder to boost velocity? (25" barrel .308 168gr)
I know very little about interior ballistics but I believe we have an expert @Ledzep who frequents these forums. Perhaps he can help.OP’s question is actually something I’ve wondered also.
Slower means you get more MV at a given bullet weight, but you often run out of powder room or don’t get full combustion, right? Whereas a too-fast powder will give you full combustion but will over-pressure before you reach the MV you could attain with the right powder?
what is your current load, barrel, etc. A lot more info is needed so you can get started on the right pathQuick question, if you're at max powder charge, and the velocity isn't what you were hoping for (given all else is good, throat, bore, etc etc) do you try a faster or slower powder to boost velocity? (25" barrel .308 168gr)
It’s a combination of the volume behind the bullet in the chamber and then the rate at which the bullet is accelerating down the barrel as its fired creating more volume behind the bullet.OP’s question is actually something I’ve wondered also.
Slower means you get more MV at a given bullet weight, but you often run out of powder room or don’t get full combustion, right? Whereas a too-fast powder will give you full combustion but will over-pressure before you reach the MV you could attain with the right powder?
Quick question, if you're at max powder charge, and the velocity isn't what you were hoping for (given all else is good, throat, bore, etc etc) do you try a faster or slower powder to boost velocity? (25" barrel .308 168gr)
I got pressure signs really fast with CFE223 in .308 with Sierra 175TMK Work that stuff up carefully.If your goal is to boost velocity in a 308 with the 168 - 175 bullet weights, Alliant 2000 MR will boost velocities about 100 FPS above most other powders without pressure concerns .
I get 2750 FPS with a 175 bullet with 46.5 grs. of 2000 MR out of a 24" Hart barrel. the only downside is 2000 MR is a ball powder that is temperature sensitive and it is unobtanium right now. I've shot this load out to 1000 yards with good accuracy.
A second powder that will boost velocities is CFE 223. It is similar to 2000 MR. I tried it, I preferred 2000 MR.
CFE 223 is available if you want to test a pound of it.
Gotcha. Great explanations here. I'm shooting Varget (I prefer to stay in the 'extreme' powders from hodgdons) currently, with Lapua brass and federal small rifle primers, and I cant find my data for 42.3 but for 42.2 behind a berger 168 I'm getting 2521 average off of my Magnetospeed at 80 degree temps in the shade.
Bergers reloading manual states 2685 for 42.5 grains of Varget. I'm going for 2625fps (shooting a ssg69 w/ factory scope with bdc set for a 168 projo at 2625fps-just experimenting with this scope) and with 42.5 averaging 2521 I dont think I'm going to make it with .3 more grains of powder.
Would a magnum primer help? The reason I'm confused is that I have always read that steyr barrels were usually pretty quick due to them being on the slightly tighter side of the spec. Is that not right?
Sarcasm font needed???Generally speaking, a SH reloader adds RE26 until they get the desired velocity.
Sarcasm font needed???
I hope you're joking.
Are you seeing any kind of pressure, because you shouldn't be anywhere near max. Hodgdon shows 2737 with a barnes 168 and 45 gr of varget. The berger data is no good.Gotcha. Great explanations here. I'm shooting Varget (I prefer to stay in the 'extreme' powders from hodgdons) currently, with Lapua brass and federal small rifle primers, and I cant find my data for 42.3 but for 42.2 behind a berger 168 I'm getting 2521 average off of my Magnetospeed at 80 degree temps in the shade.
Bergers reloading manual states 2685 for 42.5 grains of Varget. I'm going for 2625fps (shooting a ssg69 w/ factory scope with bdc set for a 168 projo at 2625fps-just experimenting with this scope) and with 42.5 averaging 2521 I dont think I'm going to make it with .3 more grains of powder.
Would a magnum primer help? The reason I'm confused is that I have always read that steyr barrels were usually pretty quick due to them being on the slightly tighter side of the spec. Is that not right?
@918v, I know I've gotten some solid advice from you, but RE26 in 308 isn't one I'd consider.
No pressure signs as of now.Are you seeing any kind of pressure, because you shouldn't be anywhere near max. Hodgdon shows 2737 with a barnes 168 and 45 gr of varget. The berger data is no good.
Thinking way back, my standard load was 43gr of varget with a 175 smk.