Have thought more about why I was able to apparently load my 3030AI so hot without any pressure signs (no sticky extraction, etc.) before I was cautioned to back off (BTW, thanks, beter safe than sorry).

Ken Waters recomends a PRE of .0010" for modern lever actions. However, I wonder if that is too mild for a modern firearm chambered for the 3030 which was a turn of the century firearm (this same logic might apply to the 45-70?????). I base this on the fact that the base PR is established by firing factory ammo which I would think is made safe for turn of the century guns which I would think are not as strong as modern guns.

I know that some very experienced 3030AI shooters have safely loaded up to a PRE of .0020" with several modern guns without any problems. Should we use a PRE greater than .0010" for a modern lever rifle chambered in a turn of the century or older cartridge (3030, 45-70, etc.)?

Deke.

Deke,

To properly answer your question we would need to know exactly what the turn of the century guns, as well as the modern manufactured rifles, are made of. My concern is that since the ammunition specification has not been changed in 100+ years there is NO significant reason for the manufacturer to incur additional cost and improve the rifle so that some reloader can safely obtain a substantial improvement in internal ballistics.

So like I said we would need to know the mechanical properties of a 100 year old rifle and a new one to actully answer your question. I may be that, due to economies of scale (doubtful), or liability reasons (more probable) the new rifles do have significantly better materials and/or heat treatments.

Until such time as this analysis has been conducted I think that Mr Ackley's recommendation of a maximum PRE of 0.001" is sound advise and should be adhered to.

ASS_CLOWN

Deke,

I was hunting in a shotgun zone on State land and didn't see squat! However it was still very relaxing sitting in the great outdoors in the relative peace and quiet.

The brass was Winchester and the primers were CCI250 (all I have on hand). The rifle is my daughters and she isn't the recoil junky I am so she plinks with the 100s and I just loaded some up hot to see what they would do.

I'll run those two loads for you in the next day or so.

Happy holidays,
ASS_CLOWN

ASSCLOWN,

Glad you enjoyed your hunt. I allways tell my non-hunting inlaws that a bad day of hunting is a great day in the woods and that a game of golf (their only idea of the outdoors) is a good walk spoiled .

How was the accuracy of the 100SJ @ 2966fps? Hornady told me there might be jacket separation over 2900fps, but I really want to get it up there if it can be done safely and accurately. I figure all of that soft lead will devastate a Coyote @ 200yrds with minimal pelt damage......

Happy Holidays to You and Yours as well,
Deke.