Q: I have been reloading 26 Nosler ammunition but have struck problems when working up loads with the 130gn Barnes X TTS bullet and Re33.
The outside of the case necks are all fouled, smoked and imprinted with unburned powder granules. What am I doing wrong?
Leslie Simpson
A: Smoked case necks are an indication of an improper load. If too light a load is used, particularly with a lightweight bullet, the bullet is blown into the throat before the pressure builds up sufficiently to expand the case to fit the chamber, particularly at the neck.
As the bullet seals the bore, this pressure backs up while the case is expanding and some of the gas gets between the neck walls and the case.
In many cases this will even collapse the brass in the neck, shoulder and behind the shoulder on the body.
Whenever you get unburnt powder granules in the bore, chamber and action, it is a sure sign that the pressure of the load is too low to burn all the powder.
I suggest you get a copy of the Nosler Reloading Guide 9 and follow the advice regarding charges of slow-burning powders.
I reduced the listed maximum charge of Re33 by 2gn with the 130gn Barnes TSX FB and got 3418fps, fine accuracy and a flatter-than-flat trajectory.
0 Comments