Another safety tip. Reloading for accuracy.
Usually the closer the bullet are to the rifling lands the more accurate (refer to Hornaday reloading). Also, the closer the bullet is the higher the pressure is. So, if you are going to do this you have to back off the powder.
Start low, when you see pressure signs like flat primers back off, if the bolts is hard to open stop, and back off. If you have any of your newly discovered hot loads left do not shoot them take them apart.
I reload for accuracy not speed. You may have to drop down 100 fps or more until you get the right combinations accuracy and speed. There are other things you can do like use powders that develop less pressure while giving the same speed. For example if you look at Dupont’s hand outs IMR 4831 it develops more pressure pushing 180 grain bullet to 3000 fps than Duponts 7828. Using the 7828 the middle of the road load is what the hot load is for IMR 4831.
From the Speer book 4831 max is 73. grains at 2996 fps
#11 7828 max is 78. grains at 3019
7828 mid is 76. grains at 3004
7828 low is 74. grains at 2977
So, using the mid load I still get the same speed I want with less pressure. Even if I used the low load its is 2977 fps I don’t think a elk or moose will know the difference. Now, animals will know the difference if you and your rifle are not accurate, maybe you will miss them or maybe you will make a poor hit. So, Accuracy is more important than speed. Being a little off at 100yds might not be that big of deal, but being off at 400 or 500yds is truly un-ethical.
You have to not only read the reloading books, but also read the handouts provided by the powder manufacture. Paul
