best powder for max loads in .35 Rem

[coyotejoe]

I'm trying to maximize my .35 Remington with both the 180 grain Speer and the 200 grain Remington round nose. I've worked up to 44 grains of Winchester 748, which is heavily compressed with the 200 grain bullet and have seen no signs of excessive pressure. Primers are still round, extraction normal, seems like a factory load. Since I can't cram in any more W-748 I guess I need a slightly faster or more dense powder. Hodgdons ballC2 comes to mind but if anyone has experience in this I'd rather not have to reinvent the wheel.  Yes, I know, I don't really NEED more than the factory loads, I just want to see what I can do. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[jhalcott]

  coyote, you COULD PUT ME IN YOU WILL! You did not say what gun you are using. This could make a lot of difference. How can you tell if you are over pressure in that gun? When you start seeing pressure signs you are already in a dangerous area. Why not look for the most ACCURATE LOAD within tthe listed maximums.?

[R.W.Dale]

 Go to hodgon's website and check out the VARGET data. I think you'll find your powder.

[coyotejoe]

Thanks Krochus, already been there.  My local dealer didn't have Varget on the shelf (small town-one store) so I got a can of BL-C2 and will work with that for a while.
"jhalcott", although your rather insulting reply had nothing to do with my question I do appreciate your opinion and share it to a great extent.  When reloading most modern high pressure cartridges I seldom even approach max listed loads, finding that loading down 100 or 200 fps makes no noticeable difference in the field but a very big difference in case life and probably barrel life as well. However, those cartridges have a surplus of power and velocity and can afford to be eased off a bit. The .35 Remington is not in that category, its' velocity being not quite up to the 200 yard shots which may sometimes be needed.  I am not the first to notice that listed loads for the .35 Rem top out at 32,000 to 35,000 psi while the same rifles are factory chambered for cartridges of much higher pressure.  I don't expect to turn my .35 into a .358 nor even a .356 but see no reason I can't duplicate the ballistics of the Hornady Leverevolution factory ammo, which I would buy if I could find it, .35 Rem seems to be the one nobody has in stock.

[jhalcott]

Sorry I ruffled the feathers ,coyote, but not every one will stop when they are on thin ice. Hornady 4th edition states 39.9 grains of 748 as MAX. This is in a model 336, 20" barrel. YOU are already 4+ grains over that. Do you have /use a chronograph? Hodgon lists 39.5 grains of vargetfor 1797fps in a 14" bbl with a 200 grain bullet. Maybe H48959 (39 grains) with a 180 grain bullet for 2031 fps will satisfy you.  Seems you are correct about MOST of the powder makers limit the pressure in the 14" barreled 35 Remington to 33 to 35000 psi. I wonder IF they know something we don't. Like suitability of brass to accept higher pressures. I still don't know what gun you intend using the info in,or the barrel length. Or even the intended USE of the more robust ammo you seek. I can't give you data developed in a bolt action rifle or xp100 then find YOU using it in an old beat up lever gun.

[quickdtoo]

I use Varget also, it doesn't have the lower pressures of BL-C2, but is an Extreme powder that supposedly isn't temp sensitive, the Varget is very accurate in my NEF with the 200gr BTB, but I'm able to load a longer COL than a levergun which helps keep pressure down a bit. The SAAMI MAP for the 35 Rem is 33.5kpsi.

Tim

http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscellk.htm#pressure

[coyotejoe]

jhalcott, I never asked you nor anyone for maximum loads. I only asked for a recommendation of powder with which I could work up my own loads.  You are all hung up on this max load business. Just off hand I know that one book lists a maximum of 30 grains of Reloader 7, while another book lists 33 grains, 10% more.  With a bit of thumbing through various manuals looking at different max loads for various calibers one could no doubt find even greater differences.  So what is maximum?  I'll call it maximum when I see significant case head expansion in MY RIFLE!!
Yes indeed, the powder makers do know something I don't! They know a heck of a lot of lawyers!! And I'm beginning to think you may be one.