I've seated my 130 VLD's 0.005" off the lands. With 44 grains of RL 19 it's a compressed charge. Any recommendations or precautions?

Bobby B.

That's 1gr more than Berger recommends in their data, read their tuning tips.

http://accurateshooter.wordpre...loading-vld-bullets/

Load data was generated using Quick Load a 24 inch barrel a COAL (cartridge over all length) of 2.800 and your COAL and velocity could be a little different.
AS WITH ALL RELOADING APPROACH THE MAXIMUM LOADS WITH CAUTION AS ALL RIFLES AND RELOADING TECHNIQUES WILL BE DIFFERENT. If YOU CHANGE ANY OF YOUR COMPONENTS; THIS INCLUDES DIFFERENT POWDER LOT NUMBERS; YOU MUST REFIGURE YOUR LOADS BY STARTING WITH THE MINIMUM LOAD.
If we can be of any additional help feel free to contact us.
Thanks for your interest and have a great day.

Walt Berger
Berger Bullets
Technical Advisor

260 Rem
Bullet Powder Start Load Approximate Start Velocity Max Load Approximate Max Velocity Fill Ratio
130 Grain AA XMR 4350 36.5 2470 40.6 2751 96.8%
130 Grain RE-19 38.5 2471 43.0 2769 103.7%
130 Grain H4350 37.5 2446 41.8 2736 98.6%
130 Grain IMR 4350 36.0 2481 40.3 2769 97.2%
130 Grain NORMA 204 38.0 2471 42.1 2747 98.3%
130 Grain Ramshot Hunter 38.0 2485 42.3 2766 94.7%
130 Grain VIHT N550 36.5 2501 40.5 2766 92.6%
130 Grain W760 37.0 2500 41.1 2774 93.0%
130 Grain H4831 SC 40.5 2414 45.2 2740 104.4%
130 Grain IMR 4320 33.5 2462 37.6 2722 89.8%
130 Grain IMR 4064 33.0 2469 36.8 2710 91.5%
130 Grain VARGET 33.5 2481 37.0 2703 91.0%
130 Grain RE 15 33.5 2498 37.3 2745 88.7%
130 Grain H4895 33.5 2493 37.0 2704 91.0%

It's interesting to me that I can take 40.3 gr of H4350 and the 130 Berger VLD in the 6.5x47 Lapua and easily hit 2800 fps from my 26" Krieger which is faster than data provided above. And I know of other shooters who shoot a grain more.

Alan

Wrongtarget,

Thanks for the info. There's a great discrepancy between the load info from Walt Berger, the load info from the Nosler manual and some loads I've personally tested.

With the Lapua .243 Wincester case necked up to .260, the 130 VLD seated .006" off the lands (COAL varied between 2.773-2.782"), RL19 43 grains produced 2611, 2619, 2634 fps and RL19 44 grains produced 2717, 2704, 2725 fps. There were no obvious pressure signs such as flattened primers or sticky extraction. Velocities are on the low side.

According to the Nosler Manual #6, the maximum load of IMR 4350 is 45 grains with the 125 grain Nosler bullet. That's 4.3 grains heavier than the maximum load recommended by Berger with the 130VLD.

I DEFINATELY want to be SAFE. However, isn't it true that minimum loads can be just as unsafe as maximum loads?

Although I've been handloading for some 30 years without a mishap, this is my first experience with compressed loads. My knowledge about compressed loads is very limited. From the bit of info I've gleaned from researching, compressed loads seem to be a problem only in so much that too great of compression will slowly push the seated bullet back out of the case a certain amount. Apparently, this appears to be more of a concern with accuracy than with pressure. However, I'm aware of the increase in pressure a 'jammed' bullet can create.

Before conducting any more load testing, I'd greatly appreciate anyone's thoughts on compressed loads.

Bobby B.

Listen to your rifle. If she tells you to stop, it time to stop.