reloading for BAR

bandcollector

I just picked up a BAR chambered for the 338 win mag. I am going to load me up some of the new tipped triple shock bullets in 160 gr. My question is that years ago I heard or read that you are not supposed to load to the maximum in a semi auto is there any truth to that in you guys opinion.

givette

Yes, but with an easy workaround. Load your cartridges to the pressures/burn rate that the factory ammo produces.

There may even be a "factory duplication load"* in the reloading manuals but...and a BIG but is..

Manuals have been known to call a loading "factory" when they have worked up a load that is "right up there" in velocity with store-bought ammo. (That doesn't mean that the manual will give you the same pressure and burn rate of the off-the-shelf cartridges)*.

Make sure you can approximate all three (and not to exceed):
1. Pressure of factory load
2. Pressure curve of factory load (powder burn rate)
3. Bullet velocity of factory load

Ideal scenario: If possible, find out if the same powder that is loaded in the factory cartridges is available in bulk purchase, and use the same charge weight.

Best, Joe




*Lyman Reloading Manual, 44th Edition

260

use small base dies.
work your way up
assume nothing!

11b6r

Rule of thumb in reloading: starting load is called that- because that is where you are supposed to start- and work up from there, checking accuracy, looking for signs of excess pressure on fired brass. HOTtest load is rarely the most ACCURATE load.