80 gr Berger VLD load data - tested need feedback

dpollard

New member
I have a 26" 22-250 Ackley barrel in 1:8 twist and I'm looking for some load data for 80 gr Berger VLD bullets. I'd like to use IMR 4451 since I have a lot of it on hand.

I found some Sierra load data for 80 gr SMK amd H4350. IMR 4451 and H4350 have similar burn rates; would the Sierra data be a safe place to start?

 
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I went out and tested some loads this afternoon. I used H4350 data overlapping the upper end of 22-250 data with 220 swift data using IMR 4451. Started at 33.5 and went up to 37.3, 0.020" off lands. I will list my charges below along with their corresponding velocity. I am also posting a picture of the highest charged piece of brass. I do not see any pressure signs but wanted to get some other opinions

I would love to get feedback, can I go hotter or should I? I am not familiar with velocities in the 22-250 Ackley with 80 grain projectiles. This was all shot from a 26 inch barrel and air temps were around 60°

33.5 - 2945
34.0 - 3038
34.5 - 3049
35.0 - 3106
35.5 - 3107
35.8 - 3157
36.1 - 3117
36.4 - 3183
36.7 - 3233
37.0 - 3218
37.3 (.3 over Berger book max for 220 Swift) - 3203

 
Originally Posted By: dpollardI went out and tested some loads this afternoon. I used H4350 data overlapping the upper end of 22-250 data with 220 swift data using IMR 4451. Started at 33.5 and went up to 37.3, 0.020" off lands. I will list my charges below along with their corresponding velocity. I am also posting a picture of the highest charged piece of brass. I do not see any pressure signs but wanted to get some other opinions

I would love to get feedback, can I go hotter or should I? I am not familiar with velocities in the 22-250 Ackley with 80 grain projectiles. This was all shot from a 26 inch barrel and air temps were around 60°

33.5 - 2945
34.0 - 3038
34.5 - 3049
35.0 - 3106
35.5 - 3107
35.8 - 3157
36.1 - 3117
36.4 - 3183
36.7 - 3233
37.0 - 3218
37.3 (.3 over Berger book max for 220 Swift) - 3203




I've always been told, when you start getting diminishing returns as you increase your powder charge that you're past your optimum. For the most part you increased velocity with nearly every increase up until 36.6gr then started back down the hill so with that powder at that OAL I'd say 36.6 is your max.

For what it's worth, I ran your 37.3gr load through QL and it came up with 3213 FPS and that was using a O.A.L of 2.465
 
Originally Posted By: B23


I've always been told, when you start getting diminishing returns as you increase your powder charge that you're past your optimum. For the most part you increased velocity with nearly every increase up until 36.6gr then started back down the hill so with that powder at that OAL I'd say 36.6 is your max.

For what it's worth, I ran your 37.3gr load through QL and it came up with 3213 FPS and that was using a O.A.L of 2.465 [/quote]

That seems like reasonable advice, thank you for sharing.
 
You have to be your own guide here. I see a round primer, no cratering, no pressure.

Surely others on the net have been down this road, but you have a new powder to deal with.

As pressures increase, edges of primers will get flat, lettering on the case head will thin, then possibly cratering of the primer, and increased lift in bolt during extraction.

One issue you may encounter is premature difficult extraction, is your chamber a SAAMI chamber or a CIP chamber. If your chamber is not set up for Lapua brass, you will have issues sizing down the brass for smooth extraction.

By cutting off the top of a 6 BR small base sizer and using the bottom of the die to size the web with, maybe a great help.

For example, Winchester brass may measure .466 in the web, and Lapua .472....If your chamber was cut for a .466 dia brass, you are in trouble, just have not found it out as of yet.

Chambering reamers should be ordered for Lapua brass(CIP)somewhere in the .4735 area when Lapua brass is going to be used on a custom build. Norma brass causes some of the same issues.

Lapua brass will take a lot of pressure, you just have to know the issues of the reamer vs the dies.

I would not assume anything, work up on your powder charges, carefully and shoot for group.

As brass reaches the elastic limit where the primer pockets start getting loose, this is a for sure indicator that you are reaching the thresh hold of what the brass will take in terms of pressure, no use in ruining good brass.

I have found this Neil Jones decapping tool extremely effective in de capping brass and sorting brass that have loose primer pockets and various stages of primers getting loose, I consider this priming tool a great investment:

http://www.neiljones.com/html/decapping_tool.html

I have loaded for a lot of wild cats where there is no loading data, blown primers where the anvil of the primer can get back into the trigger can ruin a hunt, not to mention gas cutting of the bolt face.

Your new powder is a good one, and I would not rule out R#17 either. Primers choice and OAL will play a significant role in dialing in the load to shoot bug holes, and those 80g really carry the freight way on out there.

It is often that I have found that as you increase your powder charge, velocity will flat line, then start increasing again.

Lot of fun playing with a new wild cat, every barrel is different, your lot number of powder is different, so you have to be your own judge. You will have be willing to sacrifice some brass in loss of primer pockets to play with the upper limits. The main problem that I have found is that some are not willing to toss in the trash loose primer pocket cases. This is a major mistake as it will cost $200 to have the bolt face welded and re machined...just toss the brass if there is even the slightest question.

As we all get focused in on velocity, accuracy will trump all. Sure, 200 fps will mean a lot at 600 yards, but at what cost. IMR 4831 maybe a great powder for this bullet, maybe R#26.

8T barrels do not last long in this caliber, and your first barrel will be sacrificial in nature, enjoy the trip, keep good notes on everything, and be safe.

Best wishes

Good luck!
 
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