Can't understand why the questions about "how much pressure...." keeps coming up...especially after all that information about the various aspects was presented on the "Handy frame stress" thread.
I happens one EVERY thread about NEF's on EVERY forum I have visited...over and over again...and the same information about the problems keeps being presented.
If you load to what YOU think are Ruger #1 or T/C pressures in the NEF you are asking for trouble....because very few understand the full parameters or how pressure is related to bullet seating, weight, hardness, shape, construction, bore size/bullet size, etc., and I haven't mentioned the rest of the causitive components, or have the equipment to measure the pressures accurately, don't fully understand the how's and why's of pressure testing and the NEF just ISN'T designed to handle those pressures...no matter WHAT someone happens to say in some thread somewhere. Information just keeps getting muddled and miss applied.
Want an eye opener...punch up "Nef pressure limits" or a similar question, in a search, on the net and see what comes up!!!!!!
I guess we just DON'T read and OR undestand, or don't BELIEVE what we read or want to read only WHAT we WANT to read...which is more likely...I'm guessing that is the more likely scenario.
As I have said many times....Whatever you put on the net STAYS there and gets misunderstood continuously. I wonder what the reasons are...some Psychologist could get rich very quickly if he came up with a simple answer.
Tim said it all...Garrett loads will stomp the stuffing out of most people and they are only loaded to 35KCUP PLUS the heaviest bullets, 500 and 540 gr at the 35KCUP are NOT recommended for the NEF. That should tell us something. Go to Garretts site for more information.
Bullalo Bore doesn't give pressure readings but if you want a comparison, look at the Lyman 48th Ed reloading manual and compare the velocity/pressure data for 500 gr bullets and what BB list as their velocity for a 500 gre bullet and which rifles are recommended...that should give you a very good idea WHAT pressure BB loads to...BUT not what powder.
The same goes for the 500 S&W...I have read several pressure ranges for different pistols and rifles...I won't post that info as anyone interested can find it very easy and I DON'T wan't ANY information...mis, dis, faulty or misconstrued...going out on the web.
I'm pulling the 720 gr slugs out of the 9 out of the 10 I loaded back then, plus redoing the lockup and lug shims on my BC as the first first one in this batch I touched off way back last year, popped open the action and broke the barrel latch. These loads are well within pressure considerations from TWO software programs, but "stuff" can happen when you reload.
I had worked up to this load carefully and the previous 3 rounds at that level didn't show any problems, popped right out, primers were still rounded at the edges, but something happened that caused this load to spike the pressure. I had other things going on so I just made my notes and put it aside.
The bore riding section of this batch of bullets is a few tenths larger than the last batch I shot so I would suspect that is a partial the cause, plus the latch was only getting about half the contact it should...I asked that question a few days ago but didn't get any responses.
I will turn down that section of the bullet a bit and start over..low and slow.
The average HandiRifle user AND reloader of ANY rifle/pistol/shotgun is really in the dark about what the H** and why when it comes to many aspects of the reloading process and those of us who have been doing this for a long time can still get bit on the tush now and then.
No diss or flame intended to anyone...just my observations...hopefully to educate and pass on a bit of experience...
Luck