358wssm

[Scotmak]

Thank you sir!

 

[Scotmak]

I got some powders and I'm ready to get started. I got some Hodgdon H-4895 and Accurate 2015. The H-4895 load data off the website for 358 Wnchester shows max load at 48 grains. Accurate 2015 load data for the 358 Winchester shows max load of 42 grains. Mike Milli of Dedicated Technology said to start using 358 Winchester load data. He also said his local customer is using 51 grains of H-4895, and he has a tight bore and that may be a light load for my set up. So when loading past published max load, what are the signs that you are useing to much powder before things start catastrophicly exploding? I'm a little nervouse here. I will be useing Hornady Interlock 200gr SP bullets.

 

[bigbaloo95]

Check for primers pushing out of the pocket and also poor extraction. Always try a mild load first and work your way up. Just because others run a hot load doesn't mean its best for your gun.

 

[Broom_jm]

I got some powders and I'm ready to get started. I got some Hodgdon H-4895 and Accurate 2015. The H-4895 load data off the website for 358 Wnchester shows max load at 48 grains. Accurate 2015 load data for the 358 Winchester shows max load of 42 grains. Mike Milli of Dedicated Technology said to start using 358 Winchester load data. He also said his local customer is using 51 grains of H-4895, and he has a tight bore and that may be a light load for my set up. So when loading past published max load, what are the signs that you are useing to much powder before things start catastrophicly exploding? I'm a little nervouse here. I will be useing Hornady Interlock 200gr SP bullets.

If you'll weigh fired cases from your chamber, then fill them with water and weigh them again, that will give you case capacity in H2O. With that information you can determine how close YOUR gun is to other known cartridges. Also, if you post that information in this thread, I'll use QuickLoad to help you come up with starting data for your 358WSSM.

Jason

 

[Scotmak]

Awesome Jason! I fire formed all the brass. These should be ready to take weights with correct? Do I fill it all the way to the top or should I stop somewhere short?

 

[Broom_jm]

Awesome Jason! I fire formed all the brass. These should be ready to take weights with correct? Do I fill it all the way to the top or should I stop somewhere short?

Number and weigh ten cases. Without resizing them, fill to the top of the case mouth (not higher than) and weigh again, noting the difference for each. They should be fairly uniform, but take an average of the ten cases.

NOTE: You can use the edge of a paper towel to soak up tiny amounts of water, if the level is higher than the case mouth.

 

[Scotmak]

Cool, I will do this fri after work and post the results. Thanks

 

[kludge]

51gr of H4895 will probably be too much... in my rifle the fired case capacity is *exactly* equal to the .358 Winchester so I always start 10% below max load from the loading manuals and it has worked out very well so far.

Hodgdon lists 48.0gr as max for H4895 (compressed in the 358 Win).

I've also never been able to get to the max load without having a hard bolt lift... in a semi auto you won't be able to feel that... the short fat powder column of the WSSM seems to burn faster than the longer thinner powder column of the .358 Win.

In addition, I seat my bullets out as far as possible (0.015" off the lands)... to fit more powder, which also lowers pressure a bit. In the AR you won't have the same luxury because of magazine length, and so pay special attention to the pressure signs...

Good luck!

a good reference...

Pressure Signs - Shooters Forum

 

[Scotmak]

Very good reference Kludge! Thank you

 

[Scotmak]

Ok, here we go! Measured in grains.

Empty Full Difference
1) 214.6 273.4 58.8
2) 214.2 273.7 59.5
3) 213.3 272.7 59.4
4) 214.1 273.3 59.2
5) 213.7 273.0 59.3
6) 213.5 273.0 59.5
7) 212.6 272.4 59.8
8) 214.4 273.4 59.0
9) 213.9 273.0 59.1
10) 214.3 273.8 59.5

Average empty 213.86
Average full 273.17
Average difference 59.31

 

[Broom_jm]

OK, the 358 Winchester has a case capacity of 57gr, but keep in mind that the powder column in your case is shorter and larger in diameter. These attributes largely cancel one another out, such that starting loads in 358 Win are an excellent place to start with your rifle. Since you are shooting them from a semi-auto, I would be inclined to stay away from the slowest powders suitable for that cartridge and stay closer to those of medium burn rate. I'd start out around 44 grains of H4895, under those 200gr Interlocks and work up in 1/2 grain increments until your action cycles perfectly and accuracy is suitable. You can inch your way up to 48 grains, watching for pressure signs, but there is no need to wring every last FPS out of your gun. If you get 1" groups and perfect function at 45.5 grains, roll with it. Yeah, you might be leaving 100fps on the table, but at anything like reasonable distances, it won't make a difference.

I would also like to point out that you can go as low as 60% of MAX load with H4895 and create very safe reduced-recoil loads. The only caveat is they probably won't cycle your action. So, you could actually start as low as ~30 grains and work up until you have the accuracy you want or the action cycles properly. If you decide to get brave and run some 180gr hardcast bullets through your AR, H4895 is a very good powder for cast loads, as well.

 

[Scotmak]

Thank you! I feel much better about loading up. I will keep you guys up to date.

 

[Rstraw]

What kind of loads are you using?

 

[searlest]

Kludge

could you please send me a PM

I do not have enough post to send one to you

Thanks