My grandpa used to reload before he died. I never learned from him as he died before I knew what was going on. In a weird way I feel like I'm learning from him through you. Thanks for keeping the tradition alive.
In regard to a sudden pressure spike with a tested load, several reasons might be in play. A different lot of the same powder may be the cause, a change of primer , a seating stem which came loose and backed off, a die that became loose and backed off. I know you buy in bulk and these would probably not happen to you, but a person who asked the question might not realize how much difference it can make. By the way, dies loosening up on me has happened. I know it shouldn't happen, but it does. I have been reloading since the early 70s and have made most of the mistakes a person can make. I am 78 and I learn something new almost every time I shoot. Thanks for your common sende approach to your videos. I think I know a lot about reloading, but I have tried to learn different ways to do things, that way I have a different way to do something if one way doesn't work.
This was so helpful, I can't thank you enough. I was getting great results with my 7mm-08, 145g Speer loads up near book max, but seeing flat primers. Velocity and groups were great, but my CCI primers were flatter than I was used to. Only had slightly heavy bolt lift at 40.7 grains of IMR 4895 with a 41.0 grain book max, but primers flat all the way back to 39.5 grains. There was almost no ejector marks or other primer marks that would indicate excessive pressures. This makes me more comfortable with determining reasonable pressure signs and reading multiple signs rather than just how flat the primers are. Thanks for continuing to put out these great videos, you have helped me to improve my shooting, reloading and be much more safe as I continue to learn. I am not a competitive shooter except that I have become competitive with shooting better every time I go to the range. Thank you!!!
I think it's worth mentioning that bullet intrusion on case capacity also affects pressure. i recently set the barrel back on a rifle to achieve best accuracy at mag length OAL. All else being the same, i had to drop 1.5 grains of powder to get back to safe pressure. This was with a 338 RUM, 285 ELDM.
Great video, I agree with your pressure sign method. FYI -- In Quickload, if you click on the Shot Start (Initiation) Pressure number an info box will drop down. Near the bottom of the info box it says, "WARNING: With bullet seated to touch rifling add 7200 psi to Start Pressure".
Sam I love your reloading methods and equipment explanations! I am a different marksman than you, I was into U.S. Military Service Rifle (NRA) target shooting from 1987 to 1995 using iron sights. I used my M1 Garand (March 1944 initial manufacture date, refurbished in 1952 by Springfield Armory) and an M1A Springfield (1987) Nation Match rifle. I used “Federal bench rest primers” for my M1A during my competitions. They were normally at 200 yards, but I loved shooting prone at the Appleton, WI 600 yard slow fire competition. I agree with you on evaluating high chamber pressures. I used Federal brass (.308 Win), Sierra 168 grain HPBT Match King (2200) bullets, IMR 4895 (40.5 grains), and the Federal Bench Rest primers. My post fired primers were flat as a pancake. Primer flatness, after firing, depends on the cup metal thickness! So relying on primer condition, after firing, is not the total story! Your explanation, concerning extractor marking on the brass head, makes sense to me. I think both are important but you have to have the experience to evaluate both conditions. Hard to teach in a video. I wish you were into service rifle reloading and firing! Reloading for a bolt gun and a gas semi-automatic rifle are very different from a safety stand point. Especially service rifles that have a floating firing pin and a gas system for semi-automatic firing that requires medium burning powder rates to prevent operating rod damage.
Aside from having my chamber polished and lugs lapped I see that I may be leaving too much lubricant in my chamber-I hope this resolves the hard to open bolt for extraction. Sam certainly has a talent for making educational videos. I've learned so much from this series.
I like the Erik Cortina method of starting seat depth at 0.020" clear of "jam". I take a sized case and seat a bullet then pull the bullet to make a seat depth test case that you can then push bullets into by chambering to determine jam point. It's a simple and reliable method that doesn't require wonky tools. Then I use the same loose neck test case to set up my bullet seat die. I can literally push the bullet into this case by dialing the micrometer on the die which gets me to within .001" of my target seat depth.
Sam, been watching your content for a couple years now. You’ve got great content! Even so was extremely fascinated in watching your son bang out shots long time ago. You’re a loading and marksman icon 👍 Also, a very professional presented web site you have..
Well, you just answered my question on what case I should modify to check seating depth. I'll drill and tap a fired case that has been shoulder bumped .002 in my .257 Roberts. Thanks for all the information Sam. Your excellent videos are very much enjoyed and appreciated. Stay well and good shooting.
I have been watching a ton of reloading video’s trying to learn as much as I can. I recently found your channel and in 1 day have learned as much as all the others combined. You make everything so simple to understand l, thank you for putting the time in to teach others
i found your channel today. six videos later here i am. this info will save me tons of time in the future and even today as i’m reloading. thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you Sam, top notch information and a quality production as always. I thoroughly enjoy your current series on precision load development, from cradle to grave, so to speak. Looking forward to the fired brass preparation episode up next.
Great Information Sam, have you done or could you do a video on rifle build and component selection for hunting rifle and competition rifle. looking forward to more, Thanks.
Good evening, I have enjoyed your videos very much.i am new at reloading you have help me quite a lot at deciding how far a Person wants to go reloading ammo. I have watched your videos probably half dozen times. Each time i have watched your Videos i pick up something i missed in the time before. Thank You George Mills
Thanks for sharing a lot of useful information, kind of a refresher course for me, getting back into shooting after quite a few years of being to busy, glad thats over, this is the first video I have watched, looking forward to the rest ,
Thank You much Sam.... for your complete detail of ut-most accuracy information videos you do. Been following you for some time but now I'm really pinpointing the accuracy issue. Been reloading a while now.... my rifle rounds have .000" to .001" runout. (Must to doing SOMETHING right...lol) now I've really gotten into it. Bullet off the lands etc. My rounds that I've been doing have been absolutely perfect in the general sense... nailing the gong at 540 yards out but, now watching your vids I've learned a hole lot more !! Thank you for your time doing YOUR vids !! Just want to get even more accurate. Thanks again... Scott
By just moving further back off the lans you increasing the pressure in the cartridge, when you seat the bullet deeper into the case you decreasing the cartridge chamber space which pushes up the pressure. This is why you can get different results with different makes of brass with the same load because not all of them are the same thickness so the inside chamber size varies.
From Italy: thanks a lot for your very interesting videos. I am not so able to follow you because of my not so good English but you are so crystal in speech that I think I am quite able to understand very well any idea. Thank a lot
You are switched on! Been watching your videos for some time now and really enjoy the content. I have modeled a lot of my reloading practices based on your development and it has really helped on improving mine. I have also been running the RDF bullets in the 140 grn class and found that I needed a huge amount of jump to bring my groups in. Thank you again for all the great information. Dave
Ive been working up a 6xc.. i hit a major snag you didn’t really cover.. at 39 grains of 4350 and a 6mm 108 graing hornady sst i started getting a nasty primer extrustion. 20-25 thou sticking out like a button? the rest of the primer looked ok.. bolt lift was perfect no marks from the extractor? Did i hit my end? Was using a standard 250 cci primer. I switched primers to a winchester it went away but didnt take the load any further(was fearful i was at the end of my preasure curve) any thoughts??
The problem I have when I clean the brass, is that there is always some corn cob stuck in the flash hole. How do you deal with that problem? Why don’t you do a video about what happens when you reload a rifle round and tumbling media remains/lodged in the brass. How it effects pressure, accuracy, and how likely it is to blow up the gun. You make awesome videos and I'm most grateful for all the work you do.
Sam have you ever experienced an increase in pressure from hot to cold weather? In two hunting rifles 270win using RL22 and 300WSM using RL19 I experienced hi pressure after moving to Idaho and shooting while cold. I assumed I messed something up and unloaded everything and reloaded the 270win with 66g of RL22 (max). Again experiencing hi pressure in cold weather...sub 30 degrees. I was looking at switching to an hodgdon extreme powder. I did the “extreme tour” on their website. There is data there that suggests a 30-06 had an increase in pressure at low temps and a decrease in velocity. News to me. I will try and add a link soon.
Thanks for all the great content you put out Sam! I've been frustrated in the past when people start a load series and don't fallow through with what they say they will do. You do don't disappoint and are clear with what you're going to do next. One of the most important things I have got out of you're series is the importance of taking detailed notes for future reference. Also I've been reading a lot of Shawn Carlock's article's some good stuff there. His 7mm terminator coming soon is interesting to me. Do you have any intention of shooting it some day?
I’ve been going about this the wrong way. Thanks for the info. I’m gonna step it up. I just got around to loading some 300 win mag and only managed around 2700 FPS with retumbo and 225 gr eld match on a 26” barrel with 1-9 twist. I’m thinking I can get more out of it.
It would be interesting to have you measure / compare the cartridges you shot over pressure with a cartridge comparator - base to shoulder. I found my 250 Ack would leave the cases just a couple thousands longer on the rounds when pressure started to be an issue. But I have not duplicated those results yet.
Very informative video series, thank you. I have a number of 147 ELDMs and I see they have a variance in bullet base to ogive length. Which means that if I seat them to the same CBTO, some of them will be seated further into the case, resulting in a slightly smaller case volume. Do you think these could result in any noticeable differences?
H4350 has a nice node around 42.0 gr, but work up to it bc thats probably above stated max. I'd do a ladder test and pick a plateau. H4350 has shown wide nodes for me in my tikka, so I think that would help neutralize the possibility of varying case capacities because of inconsistent bullets. 147s still have issues? I've heard of them disintegrating at higher velocities (2,800+) too.
Thanks again mate. Good examples on the pressure, and advise on the projectile availability, getting one close enough, that you can get in bulk, or all the time! It'll be interesting to see which of your few you might lean towards, comes up with the goods!
Hey Sam, great info thanks. I'm a newbie and currently loading for Savage VLP in 204. My loads are looking deadly at 0.4gr and more higher than the powder recommended top (Benchmark 8208). No pressure signs at all. Do you have an opinion on when you stop going higher? Or, can I do damage going higher even if there are no signs of pressure? Any answers from anyone welcome please!
Another masterpiece video has just been added to the Panhandle Precision Encyclopedia of Shooting and Reloading! I they gave awards for the best UA-cam video, yours would win it hands down! It's true that the "devil is in the details", but that truism can be interpreted in more than one way. Sometimes the devil is found not on too few details, but too many. That observation leads me to my question: How should differences in measured CBTO be interpreted? I mean, is a difference of say 0.10 in. between the longest and shortest round on a batch of 10 be of concern? How one uses a caliper can also cause measurable differences. How should these findings be interpreted? What is the correct way of using a caliper, many folks have never used one in their life. Again, thanks a whole bunch for your efforts in producing top quality vids. You've succeeded in developing quite a following, 10 K subscribers...wow!
I am a greenhorn on scopes so this may be a dumb question. In a prior video, Sighting ins a scope you mentioned moving the retinal left to get on the orange circle. I have a Vortex Diamondback and I don't believe the reticle moves? It's a 1" 0.25 MOA and I'm told I need to move so many MOA/s to get the scope on the impact point. It is a special type of scope that the reticle moves?
I was your 1000th like on this video! Good work! Wow I bing-watched your videos! Thanks for the great info. Your videos are excellent and not annoying haha. Thumbs up!
I know you love H4350 in the 260 Remington. However, with the current powder shortage, what are the other powders you suggest trying with 130 and 140 grain bullets? How about RL-16, Win StaBall 6.5, IMR-4451 or maybe Accurate or IMR 4350s?
Sam, CBTO question. I used the same threaded piece of new brass, but came up with considerably different measurements with different bullets. Would you not have to measure the CBTO for each individual bullet to ensure one of the bullets with a shorter ojive doesn’t start deep into the barrel?
Please explain how a full length sized modified case that is bumped 0.002 can accept the bullet so that it sits loose in the case mouth? And was under the impression that the case should be fire formed and then modified. Sorry am just confused.
Love the channel. Took your advice about the cci 250 primers over the br2s and i watched my ES almost disappear 2 range trips in a row! Thats with h4350 of course with no other change except a primer swap. Loaded up 2 exact same loads, 1 with h4350 and 1 with h4831sc.. once again only a primer swap and boom. Cci 250 grouped better with 2 powders. Definitely also agree on cup hardness too.. some primers “crater” and flow around the firing pin at the same time u get sticky bolt.. some dont. Never can just judge by how flat a primer is.. love this channel, thanks for the info, and keep up the good work!
oh..ive got a 6mm Creed.. I ran into the exact same problem with finding the Bergers in the 105 HVLD which was my go-to round.. I'm making the switch to Hornady 103 eld-x and 108 eld-M since I can find them everywhere.
88gt306 I use br2 primers on my 6.5 creedmoor. Should I try the 250 primers ? I’m kinda new to reloading so please let me know if it would help me ! Thanks
How do you find large quantity of components with the same lot number? is there a way to buy online and request same lot,? or do you just need to buy locally and hope you find the same lot?
Hi Sam @Panhandle Precision I've just picked up on your comment about Quickload assuming 'Touching the lands'. There's a clue in there that would suggest it assumes jump. When you mouse over the shot start pressure it advises that you add 7200 psi when touching the lands. ( A bit late to the party I know 😉)
I inherited my buddies 7mm STW after he passed and his bolt face had brass flakes. Is that a sign of shooting high pressure loads? He reloaded and was a speed junkie.
Evening buddy from England. I'll like to say thanks for sharing mate an ya time. You have a good looking rifle my I say. I have a savage axis ll in 308. Just getting started. I'm looking into reloading in time but I'm like a lot of others a family too look after first then my hobby. Thanks for sharing mate. ATVB too you an yours. God bless Andy
HELLO SIR i have a260 29 inch and twist for 8 and i shoot 140gr barnes with 4831sc but i don't have good groupings can you give me some advice please my speed is 2753ft/s can you tell me if this correct thanks.
question reloading 1895 marlin lever stainless . 500 grain dgs with aa5744 , 28 grains getting 621 fps how much powder can i go to,trying to keep it subsonic,what is this gun designed for pressure and so on ,can not find any reload spec. on this 500 bullet
If the bullet is seated deeper into the case (less space inside the case), can that cause pressure to rise as well or do you see the most dramatic spike in pressure simply beeing how close you load a round to the lands?
Hi Sam. When you say you are chasing the max pressure, are you saying you keep increasing the load of powder until you see pressure signs then back off. Does this mean you go over the max load of powder that the manufacturer recommends for that bullet weight,?
It seems all the Hornady bullets have higher BR, .467 - .469 (diameter if i'm not mistaken) vs almost all others at or below .400. Could this cause enough friction to cause the higher pressure issues you saw?
Thanks so much for the awesome videos, can't say that enough.. In your video you said you loaded all the different bullets to the same CBTO, and they are all the same distance off the lands... But I'm confused, I thought each bullet has a different CBTO touching the lands measurement? Due to different shapes on each bullet
I loaded them all to 2.040". Yes, there are some minor variations in the actual distance to the lands with some of the bullets, but not enough to affect the outcome of the test. I was looking for a ballpark velocity potential from each bullet using the same general recipe.
Panhandle Precision ohhh okay, that makes sense, thanks for clarifying. I thought you just might have found some special bullet inserts or something haha!! Thanks so much Sam for the help. I drive a lot for work and am always trying to find something worth listening to in the work van, IMO I'd say you are top 3 people on UA-cam with the best detailed information on advanced hand loading
question, does seating further in really make a difference if the case is not really crimped more around the bullet, aka, tight, if the bullet just deeper, but still very easy to push out then guessing it has little impact on internal pressure curve.
I used to de-burr flash holes in REM and Win brass, but I don’t know if it made any difference. I wouldn’t even consider it with brass from Lapua, Alpha, etc. I just look at the flash hole and pocket before I prime, and don’t worry about it as long as I can see it’s clear and uniform.
@@PanhandlePrecision Thanks for getting getting back to me . Your up in panhandle of idaho? I’m down in southern idaho. I learn something each time I watch one of your videos. I bought a entree level gun to start this journey a bagara HMR 308 To learn on then graduate to a customer. I reload so what cal Do you suggest.? 260 rem Don’t say 6.5 creed more lol .. headed to the base of mountain this morning to shoot some loads I put together. I have so many questions but don’t want to hammer you with questions.. thanks again 👍🏽
I am curious,,Sam do you ever shoot normal hunting weight rifles like a savage ultra light 110 with 22 inch barrels ,, and if you do how disgusting is that to you ?
I'm trying to work on a load development for my Winchester M70 308Win and I think I am at my max load, .7 gr less than listed max in Hornady 10th ed. My bolt does not have a spring ejector and the Federal 210 primers are starting to show cratering. Would this be enough of a pressure sign for you to stop?
Sam could you help me out with a question? So I understand about trying different powder measures and trying different distances off the lands but what I’m confused about is, how do you know which powder charge to use? The one that is most accurate? The one that is most accurate and closest to no pressure signs? The one that’s most accurate, closest to no pressure signs and has the highest MV etc? Many thanks for your videos and the help
I have a load that was shooting sub 1/2 moa last year. Now I am seeing the same load open up quite a bit "roughly 3 inches". Is there any other indication when the brass is done for? They are 8x fired brass and have been annealed. No crack necks and none of the primer pockets seem loose when tapping the brass on a counter. The barrel has only 1k rounds down the tube. All scope mounts/rings are torqued with a Wheeler fat wrench. The last time I cleaned the barrel was no more than 200 rounds ago. My other question is when I found the node using a Lee FL sizing die. I had then switched to a RCBS FL sizing die. Will that make a difference even though the shoulders are bumped to the same?
I am setting up a Savage Axis II, 6.5 Creedmore, heavy barrel, 22 inch barrel. It has a 4x12x40 bushnell. I will swap the stock and maybe scope. Any suggestions for a starting point for my loads. I haven't reloaded for 20 years.
Hey Sam thank you for all your time spent on your videos quick question when doing load development if you’re single loading a cartridge not putting it in your box Mag will you get injector marks sooner when you’re below where you expect to see them at high pressure. Hopefully that makes sense
Thanks for all the great videos in this series, I'm still a newbie and realise that I've been obsessing over unnecessary practices. Is that a different scope on your rifle at the end of the video? What happened to the NF?
Sam, I understand less pressure when your further from the Lans . I’m a little confused on this though: if you have a powder charge @ a certain OGIVE measurement say at 2.240 and you then back off the Lans 0.020 (pushing the bullet more into the brass) , giving you 2.020, doesn’t this increase your pressures because of limiting the case volume? Thanks
I agree with both of you. Let me explain. I worked up a safe .223 load into the lands then backed it off to fit in my clip and had pressure signs. You may not see any pressure at .050" off the lands but at .100" or more you may. Great video and comment. - Sam my Savage Mod.12 6.5 CM shot a .211" today. But found out it either likes a load or hates it. Is this true with your 260?
What bullet are you using Chris? I also have the Savage 12 LRP in 6.5 CM. I have been using the RDF 140 grn and have had some trouble until lately when I finally got around to adjusting the seating depth. .80" off the lands landed my groups at .289". .211" is fantastic!
Recently found pressure signs using vit n150 in my 22/250, only in the first few shots as I was only after cleaning could of been excess oil in the chamber. How much could neck tension affect this
Are you teaching a class some where? I will travel and pay to learn from you. I have a Tikka 6.5 and a 6.5 grendel. My goal this year is to take classes to reach my 1 mile goal. Can you recommend good courses to take?
Great job on the videos. Very informative and glad I came across the channel. Sam which ammo boxes do you use for your reloads? I like that style with a nice handle and a actual latch. Where could I find some?
Given the same load, you noticed an increase in pressure when the bullet was seated into the lands. With this increase in pressure, did you see an increase in velocity?
I am just starting to reload. Been wanting to do it for 15 years now. I'm only dealing with .556, .308 and 9mm, but your information still holds true to having nice rounds even if it goes fast. The question I'm trying to figure out on this video, is... what the pressures would be if you went 10,000 over your lam. I don't want you to be harmed by testing this. I'm just curious since we are talking pressures. You went way below but did not take into the point of being forward 10,000. What happens then with these pressures. Or rather 20 at that point, Blow up in my face? I'm willing to test that for you, I might just need you to make me some rounds.
ive learned more from him than anyone else online.
He's very good at giving details and explanations.
same!
I fully agree
Yeah, most other people aren’t good at sharing and explaining the little details like he is.
Paul harell...
My grandpa used to reload before he died. I never learned from him as he died before I knew what was going on. In a weird way I feel like I'm learning from him through you. Thanks for keeping the tradition alive.
In regard to a sudden pressure spike with a tested load, several reasons might be in play. A different lot of the same powder may be the cause, a change of primer , a seating stem which came loose and backed off, a die that became loose and backed off. I know you buy in bulk and these would probably not happen to you, but a person who asked the question might not realize how much difference it can make. By the way, dies loosening up on me has happened. I know it shouldn't happen, but it does. I have been reloading since the early 70s and have made most of the mistakes a person can make. I am 78 and I learn something new almost every time I shoot. Thanks for your common sende approach to your videos. I think I know a lot about reloading, but I have tried to learn different ways to do things, that way I have a different way to do something if one way doesn't work.
This was so helpful, I can't thank you enough. I was getting great results with my 7mm-08, 145g Speer loads up near book max, but seeing flat primers. Velocity and groups were great, but my CCI primers were flatter than I was used to. Only had slightly heavy bolt lift at 40.7 grains of IMR 4895 with a 41.0 grain book max, but primers flat all the way back to 39.5 grains. There was almost no ejector marks or other primer marks that would indicate excessive pressures. This makes me more comfortable with determining reasonable pressure signs and reading multiple signs rather than just how flat the primers are. Thanks for continuing to put out these great videos, you have helped me to improve my shooting, reloading and be much more safe as I continue to learn. I am not a competitive shooter except that I have become competitive with shooting better every time I go to the range. Thank you!!!
Talk about commitment. You’re shooting from your living room to make content. I appreciate it.
I think it's worth mentioning that bullet intrusion on case capacity also affects pressure. i recently set the barrel back on a rifle to achieve best accuracy at mag length OAL. All else being the same, i had to drop 1.5 grains of powder to get back to safe pressure. This was with a 338 RUM, 285 ELDM.
Great video, I agree with your pressure sign method. FYI -- In Quickload, if you click on the Shot Start (Initiation) Pressure number an info box will drop down. Near the bottom of the info box it says, "WARNING: With bullet seated to touch rifling add 7200 psi to Start Pressure".
Sam I love your reloading methods and equipment explanations! I am a different marksman than you, I was into U.S. Military Service Rifle (NRA) target shooting from 1987 to 1995 using iron sights. I used my M1 Garand (March 1944 initial manufacture date, refurbished in 1952 by Springfield Armory) and an M1A Springfield (1987) Nation Match rifle. I used “Federal bench rest primers” for my M1A during my competitions. They were normally at 200 yards, but I loved shooting prone at the Appleton, WI 600 yard slow fire competition.
I agree with you on evaluating high chamber pressures. I used Federal brass (.308 Win), Sierra 168 grain HPBT Match King (2200) bullets, IMR 4895 (40.5 grains), and the Federal Bench Rest primers. My post fired primers were flat as a pancake. Primer flatness, after firing, depends on the cup metal thickness! So relying on primer condition, after firing, is not the total story! Your explanation, concerning extractor marking on the brass head, makes sense to me. I think both are important but you have to have the experience to evaluate both conditions. Hard to teach in a video.
I wish you were into service rifle reloading and firing! Reloading for a bolt gun and a gas semi-automatic rifle are very different from a safety stand point. Especially service rifles that have a floating firing pin and a gas system for semi-automatic firing that requires medium burning powder rates to prevent operating rod damage.
Aside from having my chamber polished and lugs lapped I see that I may be leaving too much lubricant in my chamber-I hope this resolves the hard to open bolt for extraction. Sam certainly has a talent for making educational videos. I've learned so much from this series.
I load to the lands myself . I shoot a 260 and run 43.2 4350 . These videos have helped me tremendously thank you .
I like the Erik Cortina method of starting seat depth at 0.020" clear of "jam". I take a sized case and seat a bullet then pull the bullet to make a seat depth test case that you can then push bullets into by chambering to determine jam point. It's a simple and reliable method that doesn't require wonky tools. Then I use the same loose neck test case to set up my bullet seat die. I can literally push the bullet into this case by dialing the micrometer on the die which gets me to within .001" of my target seat depth.
This is the best video I’ve found on pressure signs. Thank you 🙏
Sam, been watching your content for a couple years now. You’ve got great content!
Even so was extremely fascinated in watching your son bang out shots long time ago.
You’re a loading and marksman icon 👍
Also, a very professional presented web site you have..
Well, you just answered my question on what case I should modify to check seating depth. I'll drill and tap a fired case that has been shoulder bumped .002 in my .257 Roberts. Thanks for all the information Sam. Your excellent videos are very much enjoyed and appreciated. Stay well and good shooting.
Congratulations on a PERFECT series of videos on a subject, and thank you so much!!!
Back to review this series again! Working up loads for new 6.5 PRC. Once again, thank you for this outstanding information!!!
With all the videos on UA-cam I keep rewatching Sam Panhandle Precision 🤘🏻🤘🏻
Great stuff. You explained pressure signs and what to do with it better than I've heard anyplace else.
You've got really good info on your videos I've been loading for over 60 years and you've taught me a thing or 2
This is the best content on reloading on the internet.
Crazy good videos. Thank you for making these. They're great
Thanks for sacrificing your brass! Great vid it makes much more sense I see flat primers before max powder charges.
I have been watching a ton of reloading video’s trying to learn as much as I can. I recently found your channel and in 1 day have learned as much as all the others combined. You make everything so simple to understand l, thank you for putting the time in to teach others
This have given me the confidence to work up to my max load in my Tikka T3x 6.5CM. Thanks!
i found your channel today. six videos later here i am. this info will save me tons of time in the future and even today as i’m reloading. thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you Sam, top notch information and a quality production as always.
I thoroughly enjoy your current series on precision load development, from cradle to grave, so to speak. Looking forward to the fired brass preparation episode up next.
At least I know I am not the only one who shoots out of my living room window. Great info!
Great Information Sam, have you done or could you do a video on rifle build and component selection for hunting rifle and competition rifle. looking forward to more, Thanks.
I really enjoy learning from your videos! They are to the point and very spot on. Keep on keeping on Sam! Thank you sir!
Good evening, I have enjoyed your videos very much.i am new at reloading you have help me quite a lot at deciding how far a
Person wants to go reloading ammo. I have watched your videos probably half dozen times. Each time i have watched your
Videos i pick up something i missed in the time before. Thank You George Mills
Thanks for sharing a lot of useful information, kind of a refresher course for me, getting back into shooting after quite a few years of being to busy, glad thats over, this is the first video I have watched, looking forward to the rest ,
Thank You much Sam.... for your complete detail of
ut-most accuracy information videos you do. Been following you for some time but now I'm really pinpointing the accuracy issue. Been reloading a while now.... my rifle rounds have .000" to .001" runout. (Must to doing SOMETHING right...lol) now I've really gotten into it.
Bullet off the lands etc. My rounds that I've been doing have been absolutely perfect in the general sense... nailing the gong at 540 yards out but, now watching your vids I've learned a hole lot more !! Thank you for your time doing YOUR vids !! Just want to get even more accurate. Thanks again... Scott
By just moving further back off the lans you increasing the pressure in the cartridge, when you seat the bullet deeper into the case you decreasing the cartridge chamber space which pushes up the pressure. This is why you can get different results with different makes of brass with the same load because not all of them are the same thickness so the inside chamber size varies.
From Italy: thanks a lot for your very interesting videos.
I am not so able to follow you because of my not so good English but you are so crystal in speech that I think I am quite able to understand very well any idea.
Thank a lot
You’re welcome!
You are a genius Sir, I can look and listen to you all day long
You are switched on! Been watching your videos for some time now and really enjoy the content. I have modeled a lot of my reloading practices based on your development and it has really helped on improving mine. I have also been running the RDF bullets in the 140 grn class and found that I needed a huge amount of jump to bring my groups in. Thank you again for all the great information. Dave
couldn’t agree more with your point of view on primer pressure signs.
Excellent info and video again Sam, thanks for the follow up about the last video as well.
Ive been working up a 6xc.. i hit a major snag you didn’t really cover.. at 39 grains of 4350 and a 6mm 108 graing hornady sst i started getting a nasty primer extrustion. 20-25 thou sticking out like a button? the rest of the primer looked ok.. bolt lift was perfect no marks from the extractor? Did i hit my end? Was using a standard 250 cci primer. I switched primers to a winchester it went away but didnt take the load any further(was fearful i was at the end of my preasure curve) any thoughts??
Can't wait to watch this later but gave it a thumbs up for now!
The problem I have when I clean the brass, is that there is always some corn cob stuck in the flash hole. How do you deal with that problem? Why don’t you do a video about what happens when you reload a rifle round and tumbling media remains/lodged in the brass. How it effects pressure, accuracy, and how likely it is to blow up the gun. You make awesome videos and I'm most grateful for all the work you do.
Sam have you ever experienced an increase in pressure from hot to cold weather? In two hunting rifles 270win using RL22 and 300WSM using RL19 I experienced hi pressure after moving to Idaho and shooting while cold. I assumed I messed something up and unloaded everything and reloaded the 270win with 66g of RL22 (max). Again experiencing hi pressure in cold weather...sub 30 degrees. I was looking at switching to an hodgdon extreme powder. I did the “extreme tour” on their website. There is data there that suggests a 30-06 had an increase in pressure at low temps and a decrease in velocity. News to me. I will try and add a link soon.
Thanks for the videos sir. And the website is great. The articles are very well written. 👍
Thanks for all the great content you put out Sam! I've been frustrated in the past when people start a load series and don't fallow through with what they say they will do. You do don't disappoint and are clear with what you're going to do next. One of the most important things I have got out of you're series is the importance of taking detailed notes for future reference. Also I've been reading a lot of Shawn Carlock's article's some good stuff there. His 7mm terminator coming soon is interesting to me. Do you have any intention of shooting it some day?
I'll probably be doing some of the testing of the 284 Terminator.
Panhandle Precision looking forward to that and you're next video on fired case's. Thank you again!
This is an excellent series!!
Thanks for taking the time.
Thank you for all your help. It is much appreciated
I’ve been going about this the wrong way. Thanks for the info. I’m gonna step it up. I just got around to loading some 300 win mag and only managed around 2700 FPS with retumbo and 225 gr eld match on a 26” barrel with 1-9 twist. I’m thinking I can get more out of it.
magillagorilla1180 lol i averaged 2875 with h1000 with that same bullet at safe max pressure with my 300 WM. 26 inch barrel.
It would be interesting to have you measure / compare the cartridges you shot over pressure with a cartridge comparator - base to shoulder. I found my 250 Ack would leave the cases just a couple thousands longer on the rounds when pressure started to be an issue. But I have not duplicated those results yet.
Very informative video series, thank you. I have a number of 147 ELDMs and I see they have a variance in bullet base to ogive length. Which means that if I seat them to the same CBTO, some of them will be seated further into the case, resulting in a slightly smaller case volume. Do you think these could result in any noticeable differences?
H4350 has a nice node around 42.0 gr, but work up to it bc thats probably above stated max. I'd do a ladder test and pick a plateau. H4350 has shown wide nodes for me in my tikka, so I think that would help neutralize the possibility of varying case capacities because of inconsistent bullets.
147s still have issues? I've heard of them disintegrating at higher velocities (2,800+) too.
Thanks again mate. Good examples on the pressure, and advise on the projectile availability, getting one close enough, that you can get in bulk, or all the time! It'll be interesting to see which of your few you might lean towards, comes up with the goods!
Excellent reloading demonstration to educate
Hey Sam, great info thanks. I'm a newbie and currently loading for Savage VLP in 204. My loads are looking deadly at 0.4gr and more higher than the powder recommended top (Benchmark 8208). No pressure signs at all. Do you have an opinion on when you stop going higher? Or, can I do damage going higher even if there are no signs of pressure? Any answers from anyone welcome please!
Thanks for these. I have recently learned i have forgotten more than i thought LOL. Keep em going.
Sam, thanks for another informative video. Keep em coming.
very helpful, thank you! was starting to get some flattened primers, no ejector marks, no burnt marks around the primer. seating 0.011 off the lands.
Thanks Sam very interesting vid learned a bit on pressure cheers from uk
Hey Sam. I just watched video #6 in the series. 11/6/23. How do I bump the shoulder of a fired modified case?
Jeff
Another masterpiece video has just been added to the Panhandle Precision Encyclopedia of Shooting and Reloading! I they gave awards for the best UA-cam video, yours would win it hands down!
It's true that the "devil is in the details", but that truism can be interpreted in more than one way. Sometimes the devil is found not on too few details, but too many. That observation leads me to my question: How should differences in measured CBTO be interpreted? I mean, is a difference of say 0.10 in. between the longest and shortest round on a batch of 10 be of concern? How one uses a caliper can also cause measurable differences. How should these findings be interpreted? What is the correct way of using a caliper, many folks have never used one in their life. Again, thanks a whole bunch for your efforts in producing top quality vids. You've succeeded in developing quite a following, 10 K subscribers...wow!
i've been trimming cases after every firing,do you do that also?
Ralph Patr Yes.
I am a greenhorn on scopes so this may be a dumb question. In a prior video, Sighting ins a scope you mentioned moving the retinal left to get on the orange circle. I have a Vortex Diamondback and I don't believe the reticle moves? It's a 1" 0.25 MOA and I'm told I need to move so many MOA/s to get the scope on the impact point. It is a special type of scope that the reticle moves?
I was your 1000th like on this video! Good work! Wow I bing-watched your videos! Thanks for the great info. Your videos are excellent and not annoying haha. Thumbs up!
Great video on pressure!
I know you love H4350 in the 260 Remington. However, with the current powder shortage, what are the other powders you suggest trying with 130 and 140 grain bullets? How about RL-16, Win StaBall 6.5, IMR-4451 or maybe Accurate or IMR 4350s?
RL-16 is good, but runs a little dirtier. IMR 4451 is ok. Haven’t tried the others.
Sam,
CBTO question. I used the same threaded piece of new brass, but came up with considerably different measurements with different bullets. Would you not have to measure the CBTO for each individual bullet to ensure one of the bullets with a shorter ojive doesn’t start deep into the barrel?
Loved all your explanations on this series of videos, learned quite a bit. Can wait to work my own loads! Thanks.
Please explain how a full length sized modified case that is bumped 0.002 can accept the bullet so that it sits loose in the case mouth? And was under the impression that the case should be fire formed and then modified. Sorry am just confused.
Love the channel. Took your advice about the cci 250 primers over the br2s and i watched my ES almost disappear 2 range trips in a row! Thats with h4350 of course with no other change except a primer swap. Loaded up 2 exact same loads, 1 with h4350 and 1 with h4831sc.. once again only a primer swap and boom. Cci 250 grouped better with 2 powders. Definitely also agree on cup hardness too.. some primers “crater” and flow around the firing pin at the same time u get sticky bolt.. some dont. Never can just judge by how flat a primer is.. love this channel, thanks for the info, and keep up the good work!
oh..ive got a 6mm Creed.. I ran into the exact same problem with finding the Bergers in the 105 HVLD which was my go-to round.. I'm making the switch to Hornady 103 eld-x and 108 eld-M since I can find them everywhere.
88gt306 I use br2 primers on my 6.5 creedmoor. Should I try the 250 primers ? I’m kinda new to reloading so please let me know if it would help me ! Thanks
Agreed. Plus CCI primers tend to have harder cups than other brands.
Alpha6Five 2 years later I see your comment lol. I hope you made the swap to magnum primers by now
How do you find large quantity of components with the same lot number? is there a way to buy online and request same lot,? or do you just need to buy locally and hope you find the same lot?
Hi Sam @Panhandle Precision I've just picked up on your comment about Quickload assuming 'Touching the lands'. There's a clue in there that would suggest it assumes jump. When you mouse over the shot start pressure it advises that you add 7200 psi when touching the lands. ( A bit late to the party I know 😉)
I inherited my buddies 7mm STW after he passed and his bolt face had brass flakes. Is that a sign of shooting high pressure loads? He reloaded and was a speed junkie.
Thanks! Great video - much appreciated. Now, to part Vll
Thanks for you efforts to make the videos as you go!
Evening buddy from England. I'll like to say thanks for sharing mate an ya time. You have a good looking rifle my I say. I have a savage axis ll in 308. Just getting started. I'm looking into reloading in time but I'm like a lot of others a family too look after first then my hobby. Thanks for sharing mate. ATVB too you an yours. God bless Andy
HELLO SIR i have a260 29 inch and twist for 8 and i shoot 140gr barnes with 4831sc but i don't have good groupings can you give me some advice please my speed is 2753ft/s can you tell me if this correct thanks.
question reloading 1895 marlin lever stainless . 500 grain dgs with aa5744 , 28 grains getting 621 fps how much powder can i go to,trying to keep it subsonic,what is this gun designed for pressure and so on ,can not find any reload spec. on this 500 bullet
If the bullet is seated deeper into the case (less space inside the case), can that cause pressure to rise as well or do you see the most dramatic spike in pressure simply beeing how close you load a round to the lands?
Great video. I think the primers not flattening might be a different story with cci 200's
Hi Sam. When you say you are chasing the max pressure, are you saying you keep increasing the load of powder until you see pressure signs then back off. Does this mean you go over the max load of powder that the manufacturer recommends for that bullet weight,?
Very nice. I head is swimming with all the great information, thanks
It seems all the Hornady bullets have higher BR, .467 - .469 (diameter if i'm not mistaken) vs almost all others at or below .400. Could this cause enough friction to cause the higher pressure issues you saw?
Thanks so much for the awesome videos, can't say that enough.. In your video you said you loaded all the different bullets to the same CBTO, and they are all the same distance off the lands... But I'm confused, I thought each bullet has a different CBTO touching the lands measurement? Due to different shapes on each bullet
I loaded them all to 2.040". Yes, there are some minor variations in the actual distance to the lands with some of the bullets, but not enough to affect the outcome of the test. I was looking for a ballpark velocity potential from each bullet using the same general recipe.
Panhandle Precision ohhh okay, that makes sense, thanks for clarifying. I thought you just might have found some special bullet inserts or something haha!! Thanks so much Sam for the help. I drive a lot for work and am always trying to find something worth listening to in the work van, IMO I'd say you are top 3 people on UA-cam with the best detailed information on advanced hand loading
question, does seating further in really make a difference if the case is not really crimped more around the bullet, aka, tight, if the bullet just deeper, but still very easy to push out then guessing it has little impact on internal pressure curve.
Damn fine advice on interpreting pressure signs!
Hey Sam, Do you find that the bullet manufacture's published BC numbers are correct?
Question for you I’m fairly new to precision shooing . How important is the flash hole ?
I used to de-burr flash holes in REM and Win brass, but I don’t know if it made any difference. I wouldn’t even consider it with brass from Lapua, Alpha, etc. I just look at the flash hole and pocket before I prime, and don’t worry about it as long as I can see it’s clear and uniform.
@@PanhandlePrecision
Thanks for getting getting back to me . Your up in panhandle of idaho? I’m down in southern idaho.
I learn something each time I watch one of your videos.
I bought a entree level gun to start this journey a bagara HMR 308 To learn on then graduate to a customer. I reload so what cal Do you suggest.? 260 rem Don’t say 6.5 creed more lol .. headed to the base of mountain this morning to shoot some loads I put together.
I have so many questions but don’t want to hammer you with questions.. thanks again 👍🏽
I am curious,,Sam do you ever shoot normal hunting weight rifles like a savage ultra light 110 with 22 inch barrels ,, and if you do how disgusting is that to you ?
I'm trying to work on a load development for my Winchester M70 308Win and I think I am at my max load, .7 gr less than listed max in Hornady 10th ed. My bolt does not have a spring ejector and the Federal 210 primers are starting to show cratering. Would this be enough of a pressure sign for you to stop?
Sam could you help me out with a question? So I understand about trying different powder measures and trying different distances off the lands but what I’m confused about is, how do you know which powder charge to use? The one that is most accurate? The one that is most accurate and closest to no pressure signs? The one that’s most accurate, closest to no pressure signs and has the highest MV etc? Many thanks for your videos and the help
I have a load that was shooting sub 1/2 moa last year. Now I am seeing the same load open up quite a bit "roughly 3 inches". Is there any other indication when the brass is done for? They are 8x fired brass and have been annealed. No crack necks and none of the primer pockets seem loose when tapping the brass on a counter.
The barrel has only 1k rounds down the tube. All scope mounts/rings are torqued with a Wheeler fat wrench.
The last time I cleaned the barrel was no more than 200 rounds ago.
My other question is when I found the node using a Lee FL sizing die. I had then switched to a RCBS FL sizing die. Will that make a difference even though the shoulders are bumped to the same?
I am setting up a Savage Axis II, 6.5 Creedmore, heavy barrel, 22 inch barrel. It has a 4x12x40 bushnell. I will swap the stock and maybe scope. Any suggestions for a starting point for my loads. I haven't reloaded for 20 years.
Where do you find the information on powders like if there sensitive to heat or cold
Hodgdon lists their non-temp-sensitive powders as "Extreme". Some, like Alliant, print the info on the bottle or on their website.
How are you bumping your shoulders? Are you using comp. shell holders? Thx.
Hey Sam thank you for all your time spent on your videos quick question when doing load development if you’re single loading a cartridge not putting it in your box Mag will you get injector marks sooner when you’re below where you expect to see them at high pressure. Hopefully that makes sense
Thanks for all the great videos in this series, I'm still a newbie and realise that I've been obsessing over unnecessary practices. Is that a different scope on your rifle at the end of the video? What happened to the NF?
The NF is in the safe. I'll be shooting with the Bushnell XRS II for awhile to review it.
Sam, I understand less pressure when your further from the Lans . I’m a little confused on this though: if you have a powder charge @ a certain OGIVE measurement say at 2.240 and you then back off the Lans 0.020 (pushing the bullet more into the brass) , giving you 2.020, doesn’t this increase your pressures because of limiting the case volume? Thanks
Not that I've seen. I'm sure that has a lot to do with the powder used in any particular case/bullet combo.
I agree with both of you. Let me explain. I worked up a safe .223 load into the lands then backed it off to fit in my clip and had pressure signs. You may not see any pressure at .050" off the lands but at .100" or more you may. Great video and comment. - Sam my Savage Mod.12 6.5 CM shot a .211" today. But found out it either likes a load or hates it. Is this true with your 260?
What bullet are you using Chris? I also have the Savage 12 LRP in 6.5 CM. I have been using the RDF 140 grn and have had some trouble until lately when I finally got around to adjusting the seating depth. .80" off the lands landed my groups at .289". .211" is fantastic!
The bullet is the 130 gr. Berger Hybrid. Nice group by the way. I was getting worried that mine wouldn't shoot.
Your awesome! Thankyou for your videos we have learned so much from you, not everybody can be a teacher ☺
Recently found pressure signs using vit n150 in my 22/250, only in the first few shots as I was only after cleaning could of been excess oil in the chamber.
How much could neck tension affect this
Are you teaching a class some where? I will travel and pay to learn from you. I have a Tikka 6.5 and a 6.5 grendel. My goal this year is to take classes to reach my 1 mile goal. Can you recommend good courses to take?
Great job on the videos. Very informative and glad I came across the channel. Sam which ammo boxes do you use for your reloads? I like that style with a nice handle and a actual latch. Where could I find some?
Matthew Payne www.mtmcase-gard.com/products/rifle/ammo-boxes-rifle-h-50.php
I bought mine at a local Sportsman’s Warehouse.
Given the same load, you noticed an increase in pressure when the bullet was
seated into the lands. With this increase in pressure, did you see an increase
in velocity?
No. Exactly the same average velocity with five shots.
Interesting thanks.
I am just starting to reload. Been wanting to do it for 15 years now. I'm only dealing with .556, .308 and 9mm, but your information still holds true to having nice rounds even if it goes fast. The question I'm trying to figure out on this video, is... what the pressures would be if you went 10,000 over your lam. I don't want you to be harmed by testing this. I'm just curious since we are talking pressures. You went way below but did not take into the point of being forward 10,000. What happens then with these pressures. Or rather 20 at that point, Blow up in my face? I'm willing to test that for you, I might just need you to make me some rounds.