Hey guys. I have been a long time reader at this site but this is my first post.
Yesterday I was at the range and started load development in my 7mm STW shooting 168gr Berger VLDs.
The first batch of loads I was shooting I was using RL-25. The maximum charge Berger recommended was 75.3 grs. I started lower and was working my way up. At 73.0 grs I started to get alot of burnt powder residue all the way down the casing. With 73.5 grs I had 2 cases where there was a large dent in the shoulder (the dent was running vertically). Unfortunately I wasn't running these loads across a chronograph so I am missing that piece of the puzzle.
What would be the cause of this? Low pressure?
I was checking each case after firing and I didn't have any flattened primers or sticky bolt lifts.
I was using CCI 250 Magnum primers, Remington once fired brass.
To touch the rifling with the Berger in my rifle the COAL is 3.865" but to have them fit in the magazine I had to seat them at 3.660". Would this have something to do with the issues I was having? I know Bergers like to be seated alot closer to the lands but I just wanted to try jumping them this far to see how they shoot in my rifle.
Does anyone have any insight or past experience with issues like this?
Yesterday I was at the range and started load development in my 7mm STW shooting 168gr Berger VLDs.
The first batch of loads I was shooting I was using RL-25. The maximum charge Berger recommended was 75.3 grs. I started lower and was working my way up. At 73.0 grs I started to get alot of burnt powder residue all the way down the casing. With 73.5 grs I had 2 cases where there was a large dent in the shoulder (the dent was running vertically). Unfortunately I wasn't running these loads across a chronograph so I am missing that piece of the puzzle.
What would be the cause of this? Low pressure?
I was checking each case after firing and I didn't have any flattened primers or sticky bolt lifts.
I was using CCI 250 Magnum primers, Remington once fired brass.
To touch the rifling with the Berger in my rifle the COAL is 3.865" but to have them fit in the magazine I had to seat them at 3.660". Would this have something to do with the issues I was having? I know Bergers like to be seated alot closer to the lands but I just wanted to try jumping them this far to see how they shoot in my rifle.
Does anyone have any insight or past experience with issues like this?