I've just put together a hunting rifle on a R700, 1-8.5" brux 2B @22", chambered with a .296 neck/ 0.081 freebore. For now I'm running 140 amax, and cases formed from R-P .300. I've been squirrelling away parts and components for this project for quite some time, so when a buddy mentioned that he had 16 lbs of H1000 that he wasn't using, I grabbed it. For thre initial range session, I loaded a a few rounds with 58 grains for zeroing, and a ladder from 57.5-61.5 in 0.5 gr increments, just to get a base idea of charge/velocity. Velocities were measured with Labradar. Now, I know the barrel is brand new, and it should speed up, but 61.5 grains of H1000 only gave me 2780. Pressure was a non-issue, but I'm wondering if older H1000 is slower than the current formulation? My lot is at least 11years old. It has been stored correctly, but it's old all the same. Do I grab a lb of newer H1000? I know the 6.5 4s was develop to run a 140 at good velocity, without pushing overly hard, with the idea of reasonable barrel life, and H1000 is preffered because of the burn temp, but since this is a hunting rifle, and barrels are just a consumable, should I just move on to R26 and be done with it?
Initial 6.5 Saum results
- Thread starter mpwolf
- Start date
I have gone up to 65gr of H1000 in my 6.5saum with the 150smk before I stopped because of high pressure. My current node is between 62.3-62.8 with no high pressure at all.
I have a thread going in the reloading depot, several members have commented that it might be a slow lot of H1000.
I have a thread going in the reloading depot, several members have commented that it might be a slow lot of H1000.
I think it's just a matter of virgin cases, and a new, short-ish barrel. I snuck off to the range at lunchtime and ran a ladder with R26. Ejector markes started at 58.5. 59gr. got 2878. Only 27 rounds down the tube, so I think it's time to load a bunch up and just shoot it until the barrel speeds up.
I found a stash of 75 virgin Rem .300 cases on a shelf in my shop, so I spent last night sizing and turning. I'll load it up and run some seating tests, and monitor speeds. I did run some patchout through it, and even let it sit overnight. Got very little out.
