My First Handloaded bullet

[sfonelson]

I will post pics in a little bit, but I had a question for you guys first.

I am handloading some cartridges for my M1 Garand in 30-06.
I used 46gr's of H4895 in a Greek HXP case. Bullet is a Hornady A-Max 155gr spitzer BT. I did not crip the bullet.

Here is the load data I used from the Hodgdon site.
155 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4895 .308" 3.225" 46.0 2752 41,200 CUP 51.0 2925 45,600 CUP.

So my COL is 3.223 on my first round. I noticed a significant difference from the stock HXP ammo I still have. The COL from the HXP is 3.321.

Specs for the 30-06 say 3.340.

Did I seat the bullet too deep even though I used the load data from the Hogdgon site? I am not going to blow my face off am I?

[sfonelson]

Bumpage.

[pdq_wizzard]

all of my A-Max loads are longer than most of the other factory stuff (longer shaprer point)

the Specs for 30-06 say 3.340 as the MAX over all lenth.

All OAL will change with bullet type. and unless you are using a $150 + setting die you will get .00x of difrences when setting the bullet.

if 3.223 is what Hodgdon says then you are GTG.

Edit to add the Hornady book show the #30312 155Gr A-max as C.O.L. 3.240" I would go with that, also at 46Gr of H4895 you are right near max I would start at 4.32Gr and work up 46.4GR is Max load (this is going by the book)

[sfonelson]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully we get a few more posts in here. I already loaded up about 50 of these so it wouldn't be that big of a deal to pull the bullets. I would like to avoid that though if I can.

Maybe I'll take it out to shoot, shoot a few, and check for pressure signs.

all of my A-Max loads are longer than most of the other factory stuff (longer shaprer point)

the Specs for 30-06 say 3.340 as the MAX over all lenth.

All OAL will change with bullet type. and unless you are using a $150 + setting die you will get .00x of difrences when setting the bullet.

if 3.223 is what Hodgdon says then you are GTG.

Edit to add the Hornady book show the #30312 155Gr A-max as C.O.L. 3.240" I would go with that, also at 46Gr of H4895 you are right near max I would start at 4.32Gr and work up 46.4GR is Max load (this is going by the book)

[pdq_wizzard]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully we get a few more posts in here. I already loaded up about 50 of these so it wouldn't be that big of a deal to pull the bullets. I would like to avoid that though if I can.

Maybe I'll take it out to shoot, shoot a few, and check for pressure signs.

I use one of these http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/12991

just give it a smack or two and don't pull the bullet all the way then reseat, I would load some others lighter (43.2GR) and work up to what you have loaded (5 at 43.2, 5 at 44.0, and 5 at 45.0) then test and check for pressure. never start at max

just my .02 and have fun

EDIT to add: you will have more pressure with your loads at 46Gr because of shorter OAL than if they were at 3.240"

[sfonelson]

About a week ago I actually purchased the RCBS bullet puller die with collet. Should be delivered today.

I am going to go ahead and pull the bullets and load them up with 43g. Plus that will save me some money on powder. =)

I use one of these http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/...roductId/12991

just give it a smack or two and don't pull the bullet all the way then reseat, I would load some others lighter (43.2GR) and work up to what you have loaded (5 at 43.2, 5 at 44.0, and 5 at 45.0) then test and check for pressure. never start at max

just my .02 and have fun

EDIT to add: you will have more pressure with your loads at 46Gr because of shorter OAL than if they were at 3.240"

[SanPedroShooter]

Do the a max have a cannalure? Answered my own question. I would load them down a bit. 46.4 is max in the hornady book. I would also recommend getting the hornady book, most 30-06 formulas dont take into account the pressure required to work the garand's op-rod safely