CCI 200 or 250?

[Biathlonjimmy]

Dear All,

I am looking to put a load together for a TacA1 in 308win.

Components so far are:

Laupa Brass 

Vit N550

Laupa Scenar-L 155gr

I have a limited number (<2000) CCI 200 which I use for 260rem and 22-250. I have circa 4k CCI250 which I use for 300WSM. Given the lack of availability of CCI primers, can I use the 250s or would it be better, performance wise, to use the 200s.

This load will be used for (relatively) competitive shooting. 

Thanks in advance,

James 

[Richiew]

Hi there 

just some info regarding powder for the 155 s . I’m using lapua cases and struggle about the 46 grain mark before it’s full with n150 . 
from the web viht quote upto 50 grain to get 2900 fps . Might be worth trying n540 as 2900 is got using 44.6 so more likely to get the speed with normal fill s . 
No idea about primers but might be worth having a trial with a known good load with the magnums and see how they perform. 
cheers

[Popsbengo]

4 hours ago, Richiew said:

Hi there 

just some info regarding powder for the 155 s . I’m using lapua cases and struggle about the 46 grain mark before it’s full with n150 . 
from the web viht quote upto 50 grain to get 2900 fps . Might be worth trying n540 as 2900 is got using 44.6 so more likely to get the speed with normal fill s . 
No idea about primers but might be worth having a trial with a known good load with the magnums and see how they perform. 
cheers

N150 is a bit slow for 155gr bullets.  N140 is probably a better choice.  N540 is a bit of a barrel burner and I find N140 to be just right.

I use 155 Scenar with 43.5gr N140 with Lapua brass and BR4 primers.  2750 fps from 24" 1:11 barrel - good enough to be accurate at 1000yds if the wind's not blowing.    I use N150 under 185gr Berger Jugs.  and that's excellent

[Richiew]

Should have made things a bit clearer. I’m using N135 at 42.5 to 43 grain for 155s and 44.5 grain s of N150 for the 175 and 185 Berger s . N150 at 44.5 grain also works well with hornady 178 eldms.
45 to 46 grain of N150 became compressed at factory loaded lengths .

Above loads at 2.234 “ base to ogive in an AI AT 

[Popsbengo]

45 minutes ago, Richiew said:

Should have made things a bit clearer. I’m using N135 at 42.5 to 43 grain for 155s and 44.5 grain s of N150 for the 175 and 185 Berger s . N150 at 44.5 grain also works well with hornady 178 eldms.
45 to 46 grain of N150 became compressed at factory loaded lengths .

Above loads at 2.234 “ base to ogive in an AI AT 

ah, that makes sense now !

[Biathlonjimmy]

Thank you for the note regarding case capacity. I jumped on n550 as the temperature sensitivity was so low. I have also CFE223 which looks quick on paper with a very narrow band between min max loads but does suffer with temperature.  It does well with magnum primers as a ball powder. I'll look at n140 as an alternative.  

[Biathlonjimmy]

On balance looking at barrel length and bullet weight I have purchased a couple of kg of RS52.

Does anyone have experience of this powder bullet combination?

[Catch-22]

RS52 is not too dissimilar to VARGET.

It’s a bit more ‘high energy’ than N140 but less so than N540. But same sort of burn rate as N140.

Lots of load data on the RS website, so as with any reloading, start on the low side and work up.