I have worked up a max load of 32.5gr IMR3031 using R-P brass and am getting 2310fps in my 24" Marlin with the Hornady 160FTX. I like this load for my kids because it is lighter recoiling. However, I was hoping to get closer to 2400fps. The problem is with the 160FTX I started buckling cases compressing enough slower burning powder to get where I want to go. Does anyone have load calc software that can run some calcs for me to determine a better powder? The IMR load above gives me max PRE and whatever I use cannot be more compressed or the cases will buckle, so for volume and pressure, this load should be a not to exceed. Thanks for the help.

Deke.

Well Loadtech shows something like Varget, RL15 W748 and H414 as giving higher velocity than 3031. But since you are already higher in velocity and 3grs overmax for 3031 as to the program don't know how much help that would be. 2250fps is about max for the system. It will not allow changing the max velocity from 42,000.

Ramrod,

3gr over for 3031 seems to show there could be a problem with Loadtech. I believe the manuals show a 30-30 (non-modified) as being 3gr less. Are you sure you used the Ackley spec? Also important to note I am using PRE, have saved cases before it was modified (have a well established PR), and I am only exceeding pressures of standard R-P 30-30 ammo by a very small margin (note; base 30-30 factory ammo is underloaded for steel produced prior to early 20th century, more recent ammo like the high velocity Hornady stuff probably loaded to a higher pressure). I know that some of those other powders are bulky (I cannot compress them more than the volume of the 32.5gr of 3031), and I am leary of compressing ball powders as much as I made need to....

BTW, for as high as loadtech will go, what does it show the max load being for Varget and RL15 (I want to compare it to my findings)?

Still hoping there is a dense slower burner out there that will work well in my 24" barrel and get me up around 2400fps.

Deke.

quote:

3gr over for 3031 seems to show there could be a problem with Loadtech

Deke,

You will never get an arguement from me about Loadtech being wrong. When I allowed them to add my PDK wildcats to their data base they gave me a free copy. I found numerous errors or questions some as simple as case volume of a 280 being larger than a 280AI the STW being the same size as the 7Wby or a lower load of RL25 giving 100fps higher velocity than RL22. On the third letter I sent them with issues they sent me a letter saying sorry I wasn't happy with their product, returned my cases and told me they would remove my wildcats from the data base.

Showed how little concern they had to building a good product.

I'd be happy to rerun it. Give me the exact bullet length your OAL and case volume in water if you have it.

Thanks Ramrod, your being very helpful and I appreciate that. I will get you the water weight in grains per case. It may not be until the weekend though.

Deke.

Ramrod,

Had time to get that info over lunch today.

Case/primer weight 133.72gr
Case/primer with water is 48.53gr heavier

Deke.

this is out of issue 13 of the varmint hunter mag.
custom gun article 18 1/2 barrel marlin.
no 160 grn, but 150's were
38 grns H335 =2488 40 grns R12 = 2550
42 grns Win 748 = 2565 fps
Now, I have only come to with-in a 1 grn of these max loads before the lever had a hint of stickyness to it, nor were my vel as fast despite the 20 " barrel, not that 1 1/2" amounts to much extra barrel. But. maybe this will at least give you a little more knowledge to work from.

Deke, do you have a length of the bullet and OAL.

theback40. One of the great flaws of loadtech is it will not allow you to override max std pressure. So it wants to stop at 42,000. If I simply extrapolate to the article numnbers I'm in the range of 50,000+ and about 75fps slower.

One thing I did try with my 25/35 imp was to make cases from the stronger 375 win brass. The same vel, not load as the brass seemed to be a bit thicker, gave no stickyness in extraction that there was useing 30-30 brass.

1.13" Bullet length

2.522" COAL

In the what it's worth department 35.7gr RL15 is 105% of net capacity at 2320 at 42,000

VArget 32.1grs 42,000psi 2265 94% In theory if the Marlin will allow 50,000 extrapolating Varget out you could get around 35grs right at 2400 and 104%.

The system will not go past 105% net capcity.

Thanks again Ramrod.

Using PRE I maxed out with RL15 @ 36gr and 2301fps. With Varget I maxed out @ 36.5gr and 2362fps so that one is off a bit from your software.

Any other ideas on a slow burner that is dense and/or will compress well?

Deke.

quote:

With Varget I maxed out @ 36.5gr and 2362fps so that one is off a bit from your software

Deke the Varget second number was only an "ESTIMATE" I eyeballed the gain in volume, pressure and velocity and then eyeballed (didn't calculate) the upper range. So based on that I would say the numbers aren't bad for those tow powders.

What does raise questions is the numbers are close for RL15 with a 42,000 max while the Varget is a estimated 50,000 max.

When you say max pressure or volume?

Get a real looooong drop tube.

As to a dense powder here is a link to posted powder density.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/VMD'S.pdf