Somehow a 7.5 pound 458 Winchester wasn't punishing enough , so I purchased a rifled 20 gauge Encore barrel and cut myself a 700 grain mold:

http://s233.photobucket.com/al...rrent=MVC-007L-2.jpg

I don't expect to be able to push the loading very hard as the rifle only weighs 8 pounds and the barrel isn't ported.

I was thinking of trying some light loads with IMR7383 in 3" plastic hulls until the brass cases arrive. Any recommendations beside finding a good psychiatrist?

What is the thickness of the barrel at the muzzle?
Thanks

You can probably push it to 1900fps or so with Good Brass cases ( not weak brass shotgun stuff) before you hurt yourself seriously enough that your survival instinct kicks in. Those Encores are tough and can take up to 65Kpsi loads. You probably wont be able to stand up to that without a ported barrel and a Big Time shooting glove on your trigger hand. You also had better know how to reload for a Encore or your cases will separate. take lots of Advil before firing time. -Rob

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
What is the thickness of the barrel at the muzzle?
Thanks

The barrel OD at the muzzle is 0.880", so the wall thickness is ~0.128"

John

quote:

Originally posted by Johnly:

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
What is the thickness of the barrel at the muzzle?
Thanks

The barrel OD at the muzzle is 0.880", so the wall thickness is ~0.128"

John

Cool... So no barrel issues with rifle velocities right?

The calculated burst pressure of tubing with similar dimensions at the muzzle is over 45,000 psi.