I am pretty new to reloading for precision and am hoping for some input. Just got my magnetospeed chrony in the mail this afternoon. I already had my ladder test loaded up and waiting for it. I was going for a “Satterlee type” load development test just to see what kind of results I could come up with. Also to find the max charge weight that my rifle can safely handle, a Bergara B14 HMR, 22” barrel. I started my load at 41.0 gr of H4350 and loaded up to 44.0 gr in .2 gr increments, not really expecting to make it all the way to 44.0 gr before running into pressure signs. I ended up cutting it off at 42.8 gr due to faint ejector marks. You can only see the marks if the light hits it just right. I was hoping you guys could help me interpret my results and also tell me if I am right for cutting it off there.
143 gr ELD-X
H4350 41.0-42.8 gr
Fed 210 primers
2.875 OAL
41.0 - 2645
41.2 - 2662
41.4 - 2663
41.6 - 2678
41.8 - 2702
42.0 - 2706
42.2 - 2726
42.4 - 2732
42.6 - 2711 (will retest)
42.8 - 2752
I see a pretty obvious node at 41.3 but I really would like a little more velocity than that. I am thinking that 41.9 might be good or possibly 42.3. I had primer cratering throughout, even on the factory loaded 143 gr ELD-X which got me 2579 FPS. (Pic attached) I ran it through first to make sure the chronograph was working. I also noticed what seems to be some primer flattening even at 41.0 but it did not seem to get worse up to 42.8 where I stopped. The second pic attached it the 42.8 gr case. What do you think?
View attachment 6999616Factory 143gr ELD-X
View attachment 6999617143 gr ELD-X w/ 42.8 gr H4350