compressed loads

[CIG]

Loading from Speer manual #13 for 7mm-08 for 120 grain V-max with IMR 4350 and min to max is 48 gr to 52 gr max - compressed.  Well the ladder load charge of 50.1 grains is at the top.  Can this be a misprint?  I have never been this close to filling a case in any cartridge.  I'm not loading anymore of this powder until I can confirm this is safe.   Probably just switch over to H4350 and load up some ladder loads with that.  What do other mauals say for that powder/bullet combo for min/max?  Thanks.

[charles p]

I can't remember the manual or the bullet caliber (I think it was an older manual) but I ran into the same situation this summer.  When I cross checked the load with other manuals, the problem load was about 4 grains more than the other manuals showed.  I think maybe I ran across a printing error.  I don't even think it was listed as a compressed load.

You might try putting half the load in the case and then tapping it several times to settle it in, then topping it off and tapping it again.

Give Varget a try.

[stimpylu32]

CIG

It could very well be a mis-print , they do happen , it could also be a matter of diffrent cases having diffrent case capacities or even diffrent powder densities from lot to lot .

I have always gone by the rule that a full case is a full case no matter what the books may say , some will use drop tubes to get more powder into a case , I only do that with BP & BP Subs were compression is a must .

I would switch to another powder before I'd try stuffing more of the IMR4350 into the case , also I dought that H4350 will do much for you as they are so very close to each other .

Varget , H380 or even BLC-2 would be better choices if they show data for them with this bullet .

stimpy

[Graybeard]

Dunno what a "ladder charge" is but maybe you need to stand on a ladder while filling the case. 

Often times you'll find that charges listed as compressed won't fit into the case using normal drop methods. If you "stand on a ladder" ie use a long drop tube it will help greatly. Some times I've had to vibrate the case while dropping the charge in to get the full charge in there. If you have a funnel that fits over the case you can drop the powder into it and hold the case to your vibrator tumbler and it will all settle down just fine and if it doesn't then you REALLY DON'T want to use that load in that case. Some brands of cases have larger capacity than others and your cases may have a smaller capacity than what they used.

Then too it might be a misprint. NEVER EVER assume a charge to be proper unless you've verified it in other reputable loading manuals.

[blpenn66502]

Just a point of clarification, Speer doesn't provide loading data for Hornady bullets.  Only Hornady and perhaps a powder manufacturer will have tested Hornady bullets.  The standard reloading caution of - "Reduce charges and work back up when changing any components" is always appropriate and when doing ladder load development, there is nothing that guarantees that you can safely get to the max charge in your weapon anyhow.  OK, off soapbox.

Hornady, 7th ed, doesn't show either IMR 4350 or H 4350 for the 120 V-Max.  IMR 4350 first shows up in their data with their 139 gr bullets (next step up) with a max of 46.5 gr.  They do list AA 4350 with a max of 46.6 gr in the 120 gr data providing a velocity of 2800, 200 fps below most of the other loads. 

Hodgdon's site does have data for 120 gr Nosler BTs with H 4350 which is compressed at the max of 50.0 gr but IMR 4350 isn't shown until the 130 Sierra BT with 47.0 max (compressed).  The H 4350 has shorter grains than IMR4350 which would make it easier to get it packed into the case, so I'm not surprised you filled the case to the top with 50.1 gr.

All this leads me to believe that the Hodgdon and IMR 4350 types of powder (with slower burn rates) are better suited for heavier bullets and not optimal for the lighter weight bullets in the 7mm-08.  If I was in your situation and determined to use IMR 4350, I would personally consider the 50.1 gr, filled to the top of the case, the absolute maximum and not try to fit more in considering the available Hodgdon data, their data uses boattails which some claim cause increased pressure (occupy more space in case for same COL), and my personal feelings about compressed loads (some compression OK, substantial NOT).  Standard disclaimer - you are responsible and accountable to yourself for your reloading activities and I am only giving my personal opinion

If it was me, and assuming that you don't have both IMR 4350 and H 4350 on hand right now and decided not to use the IMR, I'd look to use a quicker powder in the Varget or IMR 4064 class like Stimpy recommends, which Hornady does have published 120 gr data for.  Even something as quick as H 4895 is appropriate per the Hornady manual but it isn't used beyond 120 gr.

Hope this helps.

[CIG]

At this point I'm going to assume it's a misprint.  I emailed Speer for confirmation and opinion.  The manual has the exact same beg. and end load for IMR and H4350 for every other bullet weight listed.  Incremental ladder loads just start at the bottom and go up .3 till max or pressure signs show.  Looking for the sweet spot in the barrel for 7 shot load testing to follow.  I'm going to pull those 6 loads and load with H4350 and wait for Speer to respond if it is a misprint or what.  If it is misprint then I will go with what they provide.  I have these powders and wanted to try them.  IMR4064 was terrible with 4 and 5 inch shot groups.  It never grouped in incremental ladder load testing.  I didn't really want to buy another powder when I can just as well use the 162 A-max's I already have dialed in for the Rams for all animals for Silhouette shooting.  Thanks for the information blpenn66502 and everyone else.