Start loads, Max loads and pressures

[njc110381]

Guys, I'm a little confused over loads for my Hornet. I know how to reload generally - how to look for pressure signs as you get close to max etc but now this is my question.

 

Using Lil-Gun under a 45gr bullet the maximum listed load is 13gr. But at 13gr the pressure is only about 31,600CUP. The maximum pressure according to SAAMI for the Hornet is 43,000CUP. Just to complicate things further a start load of H110 gives a pressure of 33,500CUP - Higher than the max load of Lil-Gun!

 

So what I want to know is why you have to use the start load at all if the max load runs at a lower pressure than the start load with some other powders? I've run 13gr of Lil-Gun under loads of different bullets with no issue but now I'm using a different one. Am I being stupid to think that I could just run right in at 13gr and all will be well?

 

Finally, no silly comments about "always start low and work up". I know that but with this load I can't see any logical reason, at least not on paper, why I can't just start at 13gr?! :look:

[Underdog]

I personaly would go straight ahead because of the low pressure lilgun works at. It's most likely due to where it peaks in pressure, maybe just that millionth of a second later ?? Does it work in two stages, kicking in again once the bullet is swaged and moving?? I don't know but wonder!

 

The only concern I would have (at this point with no experience of Lilgun) is how fast it's pressure rises once it does go mad!

I have no doubt that under a circumstance it's pressure generation will want to go skyward. Just what those circumstance are I have no idea.

 

In saying that all that steel around a hornet and the capacity of the case I really can't see it letting go, certainly not like if the case was filled with Bullseye, potentially.

 

I must also say of all the cartridges(except shotgun and Hornet)I have reloaded for all but one or two have come together when 2grn over listed max! And, listed max's seem to get lower as the decades pass!

 

Try 1/2 a grn under then! With correct powders Hornets don't bite

 

Underdog.

[coyotemaster]

From what I just read it appears that Lil Gun is prone to pressure spikes,the neck taper of the Hornet is so gradual I wouldn't have thought there would be a problem. There is an article concerning LilGun and pressure spikes at Saubier.com

[casts_by_fly]

can you physically fit more than 13 gr of lil gun in a hornet case with a 45 gr bullet? If you can fit more, I'd keep working up until I hit pressure signs or top accuracy.

 

thanks

rick

[Mr_Logic]

You can't get pressure in a hornet with lilgun. Filling the case is about 13gr, and it works well for 45gr bullets. No need for a start load. Tbh you could just dunk the case in the powder - a very rare thing but true for this combo only.

[njc110381]

Well I decided to work it up anyway. I've made 12.4, 12.7 and 13gr so far. Not because of the pressure so much but because I'm trying to find a load that shoots well. My gun doesn't seem to like the 45's at first attempt so I'm going to have to play with it a bit.

 

I've heard of pressure spikes in rounds like the .17AH but never in a .22 with this powder. I'll look into that a bit more but as Mr Logic said above, you can just use the case as a dipper with this combo. I've done it with 35gr V-Max and it worked fine.

Edited January 16, 2012 by njc110381