Con, The 347gr RWS factory loads at 2237fps are quite mild. Just don't know how the light bullets would do against buffalo. If I can dupe the original .404J loads, the 400's at 2150fps, I think this rifle would be good enough. A recoil pad would take some of the bite out, but I just can't bring myself to cut the stock or D&T for a scope. Bob

VFR1,
Fair enough. But remember our projectiles now are probably the best they've ever been in history.
Cheers...
Con

Woodleights 350 for the .404 seems a better choise than the 347, as the cannelure is set further back, giving more room in case. But of course the magazine has to be able to take it.

Con, You inquired earlier about Bertram brass quality. I reloaded 10 once fired cases and found the brass not near the quality of RWS. The neck tension would not hold the bullets very well, the rims are thin and the case neck would crush when trying to crimp. The new brass loads fine. I will try some Horneber from Huntington's. Has any one out there used Horneber brass? Thanks, Bob

VFR1,
I use Hornerber for my 425WR and find it of good quality. Unfortunately its quite expensive and thus creating a bad habit of watching where the cases fall.

VFR1,

Dump the H335 and go to your original plan of using IMR 3031!

Scotty, Heading to the range with some 3031 loads using standard Fed LR primers. Also some more using H355 with mag primers. This working up loads is taking a toll on my shoulder

Latest chrono results:
400gr Hornady DGX, Bertram brass, 62gr H335, CCI 250 mag primers, 2143fps

400gr Hornady DGX, Bertram brass, 61.5gr IMR 3031, Federal std primers, 2132fps

Avg of 5 rounds, 93*F, 70% RH

Both these loads are right at 60K psi according to Quick Load. Not through
the roof as the early loads for the 9.2x62 were 3900bar or about 57K psi.
Done shooting so I took the shroud, safety and grip cap to the shop for
case coloring. CH4D is making me up some swedging dies to take 300gr .429 pistol
bullets down to .423 just to have something to play with. Bob

Just called Huntington's. 4bxs of Horneber brass on the way

VFR1,


What rate of twist did you use? I am leaning towards 1-10 for my 10.75 when I go to order my barrel.

Andy B

Andy B, I think we used 1:12. Will ask Danny next time I chat with him. Bob

Received 60 pieces of Horneber brass yesterday. Approximately the same wt as Bertram, with thicker rim. Primer pockets/flash hole much "cleaner". Lighter weight than RWS. Will see how they reload when I get my parts back from case coloring. Bob

Just out of curiosity, why haven't you tried RL-15? I use RL-15 in my 404 Jeffery.
Just did a QuickLoad check and 60 grains and a 347 Woodleigh will get you 2115.
A 400 grain with 59 grains of RL-15 you should get 2080. Pressure on the 400 is bit higher than I like, but below max.

Just wondering?

Rusty,

what load are you using in your 404J?

Rich
DRSS

Rusty, What did your QuickLoad program show as max pressure with the 400s? I did some testing with RL-15, but cannot lay my hands on the data right now. As I recall, 60gr did not break 2000fps in my rifle. 3031 is looking promising with standard Federal LR primers. I am getting right at 2150fps with H335 and a CCI mag primer, easy extraction, tight pockets but primers are pretty flat. The 3031 loads just seem to have a less sharp recoil, more of a push that a slap. Probably just my imagination Bob

RL-15 loads in my 450/400 and 400 Jeffery give less felt recoil. 68 grains of RL-15 + a tuft of dacron polifill over a 215 Federal primer and a 400 grain Woodleigh in a 404 Jeffery will give you 2150 in a 26 inch barrel.

My pig load is 63 grains of RL-15 + filler with either a 300 or 400 grain bullet. Easy on ya and knocks 'em flat!

Range visit today
82*F 70%RH
62gr IMR 3031, Federal LR primer, New Horneber brass, 400gr Hornady DGX
5rnd average 2161fps, Easy extraction and no flattened primers.
Downside is having to weigh each load as my Redding powder measure
does not like stick powders

In my rifle, looks like 3031 is the powder of choice so far. I can get close to this
velocity with H335 and CCI mag primer, but the primers were severely flattened.

Question: Different powders have different pressure curves. Could
a more gradual pressure curve give a milder/different recoil sensation?
It seems that 3031 has a softer recoil than the H335.

quote:

Originally posted by VFR1:
Con, You inquired earlier about Bertram brass quality. I reloaded 10 once fired cases and found the brass not near the quality of RWS. The neck tension would not hold the bullets very well, the rims are thin and the case neck would crush when trying to crimp. The new brass loads fine. I will try some Horneber from Huntington's. Has any one out there used Horneber brass? Thanks, Bob

Con, I reloaded some once fired Horneber brass this morning and found them to be of the same quality as RWS, a little lighter, but same superb quality. No problem with neck tension that I encountered with the Bertram.

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
There is one in pristine condition for $3200 in Howell's Gun Shop in Gray, ME. No idea if this is a good deal but I saw it today. It had double triggers and the bolt was quite good.

Not a good deal when one can get little used old Model 70 in superior performing 9,5x73mm cartridge. If I remember correctly over 18,000 were made so finding second hand one should not be all that difficult. This rifle/caliber is to BIG game hunting what 3" Super X 12br model 12 is to fowling.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Here are Bob's pictures. Nice looking rifle!

I have a new in the box 2.5X steel tube Weaver (late 60's/early 70's?) that I might mount on this rifle. The express sites are neat, but at 60, I think I could shoot better with some glass. I would like a recommendation on bases/rings that would look right on this rifle/scope combo. Thanks, Bob

quote:

Originally posted by VFR1:
The neck tension would not hold the bullets very well,

VFR1,
Interesting observation as a mate had the same issue with 416Rigby brass. Mind you it was 'seconds' that caused the problem. I picked up x20 416Rigby seconds off Bertram yesterday and they weigh the same as Hornady ... another mate will be turning them into 500AccRel brass to see how they stand up.
Cheers...
Con

Acquired several pounds of Benchmark this weekend for use in my 6.5 Grendel. Any thoughts on using this powder in the 10.75? Thanks, Bob