PPU Factory .308 - Over Pressure?

[phaedra1106]

Just reloaded 100 x PPU cases for a fellow shooter, original ammo was standard out of the box PPU factory .308.

Last outing he'd not been able to get a decent grouping and put it down to either 1.New Scope (Hakko), 2.New Muzzle Break or 3.Moderator, he's shooting an AICs platform rifle and usually gets clover leaf at 100yds or 1-1/2" at 200yds.

As my Steyr and home loads were doing 1/2 MOA consistently he asked if I'd load a batch for him to try, my normal Steyr loads are too long for the AICs so he couldn't try them on the day.

After the cases were prepped I managed to knock the waste primer tube off my Lee press and had to pick a few up, I noticed they were all convex which I assume means they were over-pressure?, he did say they seemed very smokey compared to the last PPU he'd used.

Here's a photo of the primers next to one of my CCI.

[IainWR]

It could be that the primer brass is v soft. Or, if I have this right, his gun has the wrong headspace - the PPU in the photo were fired in his and the CCI in yours? Or you could be right.

Also, loading for other people is fraught with liability risks. If you are going to do it, may I suggest you have a chat with the guys at Surrey RA who have worked through all the legal implications.

Iain

[phaedra1106]

Sorry, should have explained that a bit better!. He did the actual hands-on reloading using his bits but using my press etc, he'd not reloaded before so went through a session with him and gave him the chance to try it out, too much messing about for him I think!.

Yes, PPU were from his cases, CCI is one of mine.

[M99]

Last outing he'd not been able to get a decent grouping and put it down to either 1.New Scope (Hakko), 2.New Muzzle Break or 3.Moderator, he's shooting an AICs platform rifle and usually gets clover leaf at 100yds or 1-1/2" at 200yd

That I am afraid is impossible!!

[phaedra1106]

Which bit?, I was next to him on the range and he was def. not getting anywhere near his usual grouping.

I can't see it being the muzzle brake or moderator as (in theory) they are a fixed object and subsequent shots would all have the same interaction and relative displacement so should all be in the same place on the target. The scope is an unknown and it could be a moving recticle or lens/es.

Or. cr@p ammunition.

[DanTheMan]

What weight PPU ?

I find the standard 145gr is very inconsistent and inaccurate but the 168gr match shoots really really well - that's in my Rem 700 AICS.

[tackb]

Could you put a photo up of the primers still in the case ? I may have a theory?

Russ

[phaedra1106]

Tackb, afraid not, all have been reloaded.

Dan, I'll ask him tomorrow what weight they were.

I found the PPU 168g match ammo OK in my Steyr but not great, I then tried 100 of the PPU match 168g bullets over Vit N140 which again were OK, then tried the 174gr bullets and they were terrible, very inconsistent in length. I now shoot Nosler Custom Competition 168gr over 41gr of TR-140 or Vit N140 which can give me under 1/2 MOA (centre to centre) at 100yds if I do my part.

[John25]

The two primers on the left are softer brass than the third. All have been pushed out by the de-capping pin and the convex shape is due to that. Only primers still in the cases after firing will give a true indication of anything untoward.

If the loads were within the specified limits it is unlikely that ammunition is over pressure. My suggestion is, as Iain suggests, get your headspace and chamber checked, then, with a scrupulously clean rifle (especially the chamber, if as you,say, he has been shooting dirty ammo that alone could cause problems) with a clean rifle, repeat the test and check each primer after firing.

Here is a good explaination

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/200 ... -pressure/

HTH

:cheers:

[tackb]

The two primers on the left are softer brass than the third. All have been pushed out by the de-capping pin and the convex shape is due to that. Only primers still in the cases after firing will give a true indication of anything untoward.

this was my theory and i wanted to see the primers in the case to confirm it?