6.506 vs 280 AI using 140 gr bullets

[3006savage]

Reloader magazine recently did an evaluation on brass for 308 winchester loads. The durability of Nosler brass was dead last out of approx a dozen different manufacturer. Remington, Laupa, and Norma (not certain in that order) were the top three and all loaded nearly double what Noslers loaded. The loads were within sammi pressure levels and were FL sized after each firing.

[liltank]

Originally Posted by Nomosendero

Going nuts with pressures is not a good path for the reloader, but I do wonder what this means in regards to case life with "warm" but safe loads?

Well here is the story, and mind you each rifle is different. My cousin tried the listed max load for Varget. With a 168grn Nosler Custom Comp bullet @ 46.0grns should be safe. Well the first three shots resulted in crushed primers and a sticky bolt. Those three cases then were useless because the primer pockets were stretched. He ended up backing off quite a bit and found accuracy at 43.8grns and has fired them and reloaded them several dozen times with annealing the necks to keep them from splitting. I have Winchester casing doing the same thing. I over pressured and now they are in the junk brass bin. I am very careful to load now with doing pressure testing. I load one round at a time starting with say: 40.0 grains up to 46.0 grns in .5 grn increments. I then shoot one at a time until I start to see unsafe pressure signs. Most of the time I just have the chrony set up to see speeds and find my max load for that rifle. Once I find something I like, then I go back and load groups of 3 in weights I want to test. I find this method easier on brass and less ruined if you go too hot.

Tank

[loaders_loft]

that's why every manual says to start low and work up. Never start with a max load. There's the proof right there.

[liltank]

Originally Posted by loaders_loft

that's why every manual says to start low and work up. Never start with a max load. There's the proof right there.

Yep, proof positive, but never hurts to try. It was early in the whole loading thing after years of not doing it. It happens, but then again, all rifles are different. As we all know you can sometimes load over max, but should not be a starting point. That is why you see a lot of people pointing that one load that works for some, will not work for others. Different chambers, different allowances in pressure.

Tank

[davkrat]

Why not split the difference with a .270 AI? I have a Rem. 700 in .270 that I have been wanting to rebarrel for years as a 270 AI. Currently it loves the 110gr. V-max which is a pretty good varmit bullet and with the newer Berger .277 available it's right in the same range. I do wish Berger made a larger high BC .277 bullet though.

[loaders_loft]

Originally Posted by davkrat

I do wish Berger made a larger high BC .277 bullet though.

There's your answer...

The 7mm and 6.5mm have high bc hunting and match bullets. Surely there's someone out there with a phenomenal high bc match or hunting bullet in .277, its just not well known.

[liltank]

There are few makers that will do a high BC .277. Wildcat bullets make a 169.5 and Matrix Ballistics Ltd. will make custom weight bullets.

Tank