Cooper wrote:bigfellascott wrote:Not sure it's a good idea to use loads less than the starting load recommended, just suss it out a little bit to make sure it's safe to do so (I'm sure there was a reason not too but can't recall what it was now) maybe send a email to ADI and see what they say.
Yeah I'm only 0.2gr under the suggested starting load. So I wouldn't exactly call it reduced load. If think it's not wise to start below the starting load as it can actually cause higher pressure. Which is kinder the opposite to what you would think. Less powder less bang. Think it is more of an issue when reduced charges of slower burning powders are used.
Any I've bought some AR2219 to try. It has a faster burn rate compared to 2206H and benchmark 8208. I've also bought 1000 32 Zmax and my Boyds thumb hole stock has come in. I'll post some picks when I get it all together.
The higher pressure from less than suggested minimum loads can become a danger as the extra free space over the top of the powder gets into being a "flash over" or mini explosion and those pressures can become quite dangerous. In my mind reduced loads are done to reduce velocity without creating the dangerous situation of that void in the cartridge case, hence why very slow powders are used that will still fill the case to a safe level. Enjoy your experiment but don't reduce loads too far.
I do think you will have much better accuracy results if you increase your loads quite a bit towards maximum. In most calibres/catridges there are accuracy nodes as the barrel harmonics even out to the ideal release point for the bullet. Some maybe just one, some two and often there can be three accuracy nodes as the velocity increases. Hence load development in steps of ever increasing powder loads. One of those loads is far more consistent than the others and that is what most settle for. The .204R likes to push bullets fast so in my view you should be using much hotter loads than you are playing with...just my view over many experiments with many calibres.
In your shorter barrel, the idea of using a faster burn rate powder is to ensure you are getting a complete powder burn before the bullet exits the barrel muzzle and also hence give you higher velocity from a complete powder burn. What doesn't get burnt before the bullet exits is just a waste. We are talking about a controlled burn and the powder burns all the way down a barrel to create the gas pressure to push the bullet. It's not an explosion or burn in the cartridge case.
Each to their own though.