When should I puss out ?

WeiserBucks

Sergeant
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Minuteman
  • Feb 13, 2017
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    Weiser , Idaho
    I'm starting load development for a 28" 300 Norma today. I'll be using N570, Lapua brass and 199 grain Hammer Bullets.

    Based on my experience with Lapua brass and Hammer bullets in smaller cartridges I'm expecting alot of speed without pressure signs , Lapua brass is strong as hell and the bullets have alot of grooves in the bearing surface to reduce pressure and fouling. They're a solid copper bullet and the ones I've used in the past shot great at every charge weight and seating depth tried. Simply get them to the desired speed and rock on.

    The kicker is that the rifle is a Ti action and everything I've researched leans towards not running excessive pressure in them .

    It wouldn't surprise me if I saw 3200 FPS without pressure signs, but I don't want to pound the Ti action. Soooooooo, when do I puss out? 3100 , 3150 ? Or am I just overthinking it?
     
    Maybe just read the brass and let the load tell you. Take her all the way to 3200 if it still looks safe.

    Got 400 pieces of Lapua in 300 NM that has done me well.
     
    It's not telling me! I've been reloading for years and this thing is odd. I got ridiculous speed with these bullets but very poor ES and zero pressure signs. All I can think of is the Lapua brass is hiding pressure signs and once it shows up I'll be way over pressure.

    Doesn't matter, I switched to 215 Hybrids and all is right with the world. I was hoping that the Hammers would work well but they're a poor combination with N570.
     
    215's were great , shot today. I was working up loads and ran out of target's. 215's were 3/8 MOA , 86.5 grains of N570 for 2950 FPS with zero pressure signs and ES of 7 . There's plenty left in this combination and I'll be working on it come Monday.