03-26-2020, 05:34 AM
Lemonaid,
BobinNC is pretty spot on. each loading manual presents the data it took with the pressure barrel and sporter barrel they happened to have on hand when they were taking data. of course there were the associated production tolerances of each. if i recall, the SAAMI dimensional specs for pressure test barrels/chambers runs on the tight side. but the reloading manuals guys or gals also probably look at pressure variation for each round, along with LOT to LOT variation of the same canister powder, primers, bullets, cases. as much as they can, and adjust what they publish as max load such that the max pressure variations they saw across all the variation they measured with that particular listed max charge didn't exceed SAAMI spec max pressure limit. i have noticed the same thing that some "starting" loads looked more like max or over max in my particular rifle with it's unique dimensions along with the specific lot of canister powder, primer lot, brass lot, and bullet lot i happened to be using at the time. and like BobinNC i also have gotten to book "max" and still had sooty case necks, no flattening at all of the primers, etc. doesn't mean i didn't have the SAAMI spec max pressure. i have no way to measure. but the rifle and brass didn't act like it. A-Square published a reloading manual where they did call out what LOT number for the powder they used. i think they did that for primers too, and brass. but can't remember for sure. so if your case extraction is easy, primers are not flat, no ejector hole marks on the case bases and primer pockets are staying tight for 5+ reloads, and bolt lift is easy, you may not be getting into max pressure situations. or you might be. without being able to measure pressure you just don't know. i seem to recall reading an article once that mentioned that in match rifles, where all tolerances are taken out, actions blueprinted, and brass is fireformed to chambers etc, you don't start seeing pressure signs on the brass until you are in the 75K CUP region. but since i can't remember where i read that, take it with a grain of salt. the front of most reloading manuals have pretty complete descriptions of pressure issues, signs to watch for, and why, without actual pressure measuring equipment (either a pressure barrel for CUP or a calibrated Piezo strain gauge for PSI) you really don't know for sure were you are pressure wise. watch velocity as you do ladder tests and look for the node where you get best groups. deer can't tell the difference between 2450 fps and 2500 fps. but a tight grouping rifle gives you the confidence to place the bullet exactly where you want to place it, and in general well placed bullets are more effective on deer than an extra 50 fps or so and not being as well placed. when we handload, we assume the risk for our efforts. factories use pressure measuring equipment to mitigate risk. or should be. Sounds like Federal had QC issues with BobinNC's particular lot of 35 Whelen ammo. also the same weight bullet from each manufacturer may have different bearing length, different anneal on the bullet jacket, different jacket thickness, different jacket material, different core composition and hardness etc. which leads to different engraving forces, different barrel friction, etc. being that you're using a Ruger bolt action, and Ruger tends to build a lot of margin into their designs, or they use to, and you're presently not having any issues, from a safety point of view you're probably fine. keep track of if the primer pockets stay tight for more than 5 reloads and if they do, you're most likely ok.
-tdbru
BobinNC is pretty spot on. each loading manual presents the data it took with the pressure barrel and sporter barrel they happened to have on hand when they were taking data. of course there were the associated production tolerances of each. if i recall, the SAAMI dimensional specs for pressure test barrels/chambers runs on the tight side. but the reloading manuals guys or gals also probably look at pressure variation for each round, along with LOT to LOT variation of the same canister powder, primers, bullets, cases. as much as they can, and adjust what they publish as max load such that the max pressure variations they saw across all the variation they measured with that particular listed max charge didn't exceed SAAMI spec max pressure limit. i have noticed the same thing that some "starting" loads looked more like max or over max in my particular rifle with it's unique dimensions along with the specific lot of canister powder, primer lot, brass lot, and bullet lot i happened to be using at the time. and like BobinNC i also have gotten to book "max" and still had sooty case necks, no flattening at all of the primers, etc. doesn't mean i didn't have the SAAMI spec max pressure. i have no way to measure. but the rifle and brass didn't act like it. A-Square published a reloading manual where they did call out what LOT number for the powder they used. i think they did that for primers too, and brass. but can't remember for sure. so if your case extraction is easy, primers are not flat, no ejector hole marks on the case bases and primer pockets are staying tight for 5+ reloads, and bolt lift is easy, you may not be getting into max pressure situations. or you might be. without being able to measure pressure you just don't know. i seem to recall reading an article once that mentioned that in match rifles, where all tolerances are taken out, actions blueprinted, and brass is fireformed to chambers etc, you don't start seeing pressure signs on the brass until you are in the 75K CUP region. but since i can't remember where i read that, take it with a grain of salt. the front of most reloading manuals have pretty complete descriptions of pressure issues, signs to watch for, and why, without actual pressure measuring equipment (either a pressure barrel for CUP or a calibrated Piezo strain gauge for PSI) you really don't know for sure were you are pressure wise. watch velocity as you do ladder tests and look for the node where you get best groups. deer can't tell the difference between 2450 fps and 2500 fps. but a tight grouping rifle gives you the confidence to place the bullet exactly where you want to place it, and in general well placed bullets are more effective on deer than an extra 50 fps or so and not being as well placed. when we handload, we assume the risk for our efforts. factories use pressure measuring equipment to mitigate risk. or should be. Sounds like Federal had QC issues with BobinNC's particular lot of 35 Whelen ammo. also the same weight bullet from each manufacturer may have different bearing length, different anneal on the bullet jacket, different jacket thickness, different jacket material, different core composition and hardness etc. which leads to different engraving forces, different barrel friction, etc. being that you're using a Ruger bolt action, and Ruger tends to build a lot of margin into their designs, or they use to, and you're presently not having any issues, from a safety point of view you're probably fine. keep track of if the primer pockets stay tight for more than 5 reloads and if they do, you're most likely ok.
-tdbru