Bolt action & AR semiautomatic pressure limits COW

[LRRPF52]

In practice, you only see about 100fps increase in performance, which means almost nothing downrange.

For the bolt guns, you get a little bit more room at the top to find accurate loads that are at the upper ends of velocity, but nothing to write home about.

The more effective variables for generating higher velocities are:

1. Barrel length
2. Optimum powder selection
3. Increased COL for more usable powder volume without increasing chamber pressure

I’m a fan of using optimum powders at lower chamber pressures for long brass life. It’s a best of both worlds when looking at performance and component life.

For me in the Grendel, 31.2gr of CFE223 under a 123gr cup and core bullet works great towards those goals, which for me means a reliable steel plate-punching load mainly for fun out to 1000yds at higher altitudes.

My Lapua and Hornady brass eject looking new. I’ve never seen a loose primer pocket with that load so far.

I do shoot a lot of factory ammo though nowadays.