Hornady Light Magnum question
This has probably been asked but anybody know what the "special cooler burning powder and new loading technique" is that they use in the Hornady Light Magnum and Heavy Magnum ammunition?
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That's a company secret and don't try it at home kind of thing.
Mobuck0 -
I have read that they use Finish powder (Vitireous sp?)and compression pack the powder. Best, Robert[;)]
"Endurance"<P><br>0 -
it is what it referred to as "marrying" 2 powders together to create a specified burn rate. The charge is compressed in several different stages as well. Pull one and dump the powder,..then just try to fit all the powder back in the case,..can't be done.
why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?0 -
Thanks guys. I won't try to duplicate it but curiosity really had the best of me on this one. I'm one of those just gotta know kinda people. I haven't even bought or shot any of that ammo but just curious. 0 -
Try it - you'll like it!
My old pre-war Mod 70 in 30-06 really likes the Hornady Light Magnum 180 grain interlocked loads. I'm hard pressed to duplicate the velocity and accuracy with my best handloads.
Keep off the Ridgeline0 -
I agree with Kdub. Hard to beat that combination. Best results was a 6 x 6 at 353 yards and didnt go 2 feet. Could not reload better groupings either. 0 -
I don't know what factory process is used for the Hornady Light Magnum ammunition, but you can equal or exceed their velocities without excessive pressures, if you're willing to tap in powder and use compressed loads.
I have a .257 Ackley Improved (AI), .25-06 AI, .280 AI, and 30-06 AI. All guns are custom made bolt-action rifles (Rem M700 or Win M70) with match-grade 26" barrels. I have developed loads for all by experimenting with almost all available modern powders and by chronographing every test firing. I've developed these loads in conjunction with the NECCO Internal Ballistic Program. I have reams of data.
The best performance - at a given pressure for a given weight bullet - is almost always obtained with the slowest burning powder that will fill the case and bring the maximum pressure to the desired level. For example, consider Reloader 25 in a 30-06 using 165 or 180 grain bullets with no higher than 65,000 psi. A standard Winchester 30-06 case will roughly hold 66 grains of R25, when tapped in and the powder compressed by the bullet. Reloader 25 compresses nicely, and with tight case necks the bullet will not be pushed back out by the compressed powder. With a 24 inch barrel, maximum velocity with a 180 bullet will be right at 3000 fps, and with a 165 grain bullet right at 3100 fps.
I would NEVER recommend starting with this load, but rather recommend working up to it by starting from 62 grains of R25 - then incrementally increasing the charge by 0.5 grain increments until serious pressure signs develop or you achieve 66 grains.
I'm willing to tolerate "significant" pressure - that is, pressures often used when loading the .270 or some of the new magnums. (These new magnums look good, because they're being loaded to pressures significantly higher than the older calibers - well over 60,000 psi - even close to 64,000 psi. Hence, the comparisons to the "old" are not fair; remember, the companies want to sell new guns.)
A standard modern bolt-action rifle will tolerate about 160,000 psi; hence, you're not in danger of bursting the gun - not even close. But, you don't want to load beyond 65-70,000 psi, because beyond that pressure you can get a sticky bolt or even a frozen case in the chamber - a disaster, if you need a second shot at the trophy of a lifetime. Loading to 65,000 psi will loosen those primer pockets fairly quickly. To test for loose primer pockets, I hand prime all cases and "feel" the primer into the pocket - indeed, you can consider your brass case you type of "copper crusher" pressure gauge. I don't care too about multiple reloadings of a single case, because cases are cheap, expendable, and very easy to replace.
Finally, I've found that Reloader 25 is single best slow-burning powder on the market. I routinely get the best performance - both accuracy and velocity - with the lowest pressures. Yet, you must load a relatively heavy bullet. When you go to lighter bullets (e.g., 150 or 130 grain for the 30-06), you'll need to use R22 or R19 to achieve maximum desired pressure.
Regards, Ackley Improved User0 -
The previous post from Ackley Improved User
Please note CAUTION: The previous post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The Firing Line, nor the staff of TFL assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.0
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