Reloads for 376 Steyr, Your Opinion Please

14 June 2003, 16:12

<Super 88>

I loaded up some shells using from 64 to 68gr of Varget in 1/2 grain increments. I was using a 235gr Barnes XLC and CCI 250 primers. The most accurate loads were the 67.5 and 68gr. I didn't have my chronograph at the time but there were no pressure signs. I loaded up some more of the 68gr loads and went out again, this time with my chronograph. These loads were averaging 3015 to 3025fps. That seemed pretty hot to me but again, there were no pressure signs. I welcome any opinions out there from those with more experience than I. BTW, the 68gr of Varget is listed as the Max load in the Hodgdons online manual. Thanks in advance for your input.

16 June 2003, 04:04

jeffeosso

Seems a little hot to me, as I am getting 2950 from 225 grains...

I like varget/rl15/748/benchmark for my 376... and it shoots well.s

Mebbe the barnes blue pills are lubed enough to help with the pressure, but I dont think I would drive em past 2800.

jeffe

04 September 2003, 05:01

jackfish

Super88, Once you discovered the published velocity was exceeded by almost 300 fps that should have told you that the load is likely to yield excessive pressure. In addition, you substituted two components which should have led you to reduce the starting charge by at least 5%. The absence of "classic" signs of pressure is not reassuring in light of the velocity you are getting.

2950 fps from 24" barreled 376 Steyr with 225 grain Hornadys? Sounds like jeffeosso's "steel rain" to me. What published load was that based on? What powder and charge? COAL? Primer? Curious minds want to know about this "magic."

04 September 2003, 05:18

jeffeosso

jackfish,
do a search in this forum and find out...

they are there.. been there for months

btw, steelrain, hornady sells the 225 as REDUCED loads... and the 260s at 2610, as well.

perhaps, sir, you just don't have first hand knowledge of the subject at hand

quote:
: http://www.chuckhawks.com/376steyr.htm
According to Hodgdon reloading data, handloaders can equal the performance of the Hornady factory load giving a 270 grain bullet a MV of 2610 fps using 65.5 grains of VARGET powder, and achieve maximum velocities of about 2910 fps with the 225 grain

Oh, and for "300fps faster than published" perhaps you should read a little about the 376, as the 376/225 gr factory ammo is DOWN LOADED from the factory

quote:
: http://www.chuckhawks.com/376steyr.htm
The 225 grain bullet is a reduced power (and recoil) load and also features an advertised MV of 2610 fps with ME of 3325 ft. lbs.

jeffe

[ 09-03-2003, 20:25: Message edited by: jeffeosso ]

04 September 2003, 05:25

jackfish

So jeffe is 40 fps over what Chuck says is possible. Is that possible? HA!

04 September 2003, 05:27

jeffeosso

quote:
Originally posted by jackfish:
So jeffe is 40 fps over what Chuck says is possible. Is that possible? HA!

yep.. at 5.5" of barrel, and 40 fps is, well, trivial .. over the steyr scout

you DO understand that a longer barrel can make a load faster, right?

you know.. the ole rule of thumb... 1" adds between 25 and 50 fps, depending on the gun...

futher, with other folks PUBLISHED data, at 19", you can get over 2320 with 300 grain pills.. <whipes out the ole slide rule> hmm, let's do a best worst case...

(agreeing that published CHRONOED results are accurate)
worst case
2325 + (5.5 *25) = 2467.5 fps
2325 (5.5 * 50) = 2600 fps on the nose..

average WOW... 2533...
baseline from this, buddy

quote:
http://pw1.netcom.com/~chingesh/AH376DGLoads.html
.376 Steyr Scout, 61.4 grains IMR 4895

Bullet (Hornady) 300-gr RNSP
B.C. = .250
300-gr RN Solid
B.C. = .275

Average Velocity (ft/sec) 2325

got anything else to say?
jeffe

[ 09-03-2003, 20:37: Message edited by: jeffeosso ]

04 September 2003, 05:36

jeffeosso

Super 88
PLease back down to the starting loads and chrono again.

Everyone knows that molycoating reduces pressure, which is what the xlc bullet is, but you changed a component. I would start with the baseline and work up.. or even lower.

best of luck, sorry jackfish has decided to spill over from one thread to this one.

jeffe

04 September 2003, 05:42

jeffeosso

quote:
Originally posted by jackfish:
[2950 fps from 24" barreled 376 Steyr with 225 grain Hornadys? Sounds like jeffeosso's "steel rain" to me. What published load was that based on? What powder and charge? COAL? Primer? Curious minds want to know about this "magic."[QUOTE]

Not my load, from
[qoute] http://www.pyrodex.com/data/rifle/376steyr.htm
Here ya go, steelrain..
225 GR. HDY SP (Maximum Loads)
COL: 3.070"

H335 68.5 2910 60,100 PSI

and, get this, 40fps a WHOOPING 2% difference in velocity...

jeffe

04 September 2003, 09:06

jackfish

Where in the Hodgdon manual (or any other manual for that matter) do they recommend exceeding the published velocity of a load? Again, jeffe, I present load data I use and I'm under published velocities, but you often seem to be over. You still gonna throw that "steel rain" moniker around or are you going to look in the mirror?

04 September 2003, 09:31

CoonDawg

Super 88 QuickLoad say you should get 2604 fps, 4518 M.E. using a 300gr bullet and 70.7grs of N550, from a 20" barrel all of this at 65,000 psi an a oal of 3.075"

Hey jackfish you wanted to know about 2950fps with a 225 gr bullet and the load? Well how about 2954fps with a 235 gr bullet, 79.7grs of N550 from a 20" barrel. Now does that make a 24" barrel slower? [Big Grin]

[ 09-04-2003, 01:05: Message edited by: CoonDawg ]

04 September 2003, 10:23

GonHuntin

Jeffe

I guess some people haven't heard that it's better to remain silent and appear stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.....

04 September 2003, 10:58

jeffeosso

Jackfish,
please look at my FIRST POST in this thread... "i wouldn't push those blue pills any faster than 2800"

further, look at the laods I am using... you yourself say that they are UNDER the book...

quote:
Originally posted by Jackfish
"2 grains under book max and still you get higher velocity"

guess i just made the right powder choices...

Do you rl22 in your 30-06? look at the speer book for that load with 165s... it's ~150fps faster than anything else,,,

but rl25 is like trying to burn charcoal in it...

it's about choices, Jackfish... that's why they come out with new powders

Jeffe

[ 09-04-2003, 02:11: Message edited by: jeffeosso ]

04 September 2003, 11:08

jeffeosso

quote:
Originally posted by jackfish:
Where in the Hodgdon manual (or any other manual for that matter) do they recommend exceeding the published velocity of a load?

so, your nearly 2700 out of a load that should only do 2625 is too fast? in your 375 hh? BTW, most of my books put the 375 UNDER 2600... I only say most as I didn't bother looking at them all. Hornady STOPS at 2500 exactly... and they aren't the most conservative out there, now are they?

Where do they not? it is assumed that 99% of the reloaders do not have a chrono.. I have 2, a pact pro and a chrony master some letter or the other...

In fact, JUMPS in velocity or NO gain in velocity are "accepted" methods... but add a little powder, gain a little velocity is how even you do, Jackfish, right?

jeffe

[ 09-04-2003, 17:05: Message edited by: jeffeosso ]

05 September 2003, 02:14

jeffeosso

ROTFLMFAO... Published Data... from the only commerical maker of the Steyr

Just pulled out my handy, dandy Hornady reloading book...

5th edition, Vol 1...pages 480 and 481

376 steyr...
225gr at 2900, with a much faster powder than I use

and 300 grains...
get this...
at 2500....

WOW... published data, from the ONLY people loading it commercially....and it's withing 1.5% of what I am getting with my gun.

And, when I take a look at quickload, with the same loads, the projected pressures are LOWER with the powders I choose than any of the higher loads from Hornady..

Wow, imagine that... a reloader finding a better powder to use... happens every day..

Jeffe

[ 09-04-2003, 17:15: Message edited by: jeffeosso ]