Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

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JJ1911
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Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

Post by JJ1911 »

Hi all,
Just finished building my rifle and getting ready to load some rounds.

I have:

IMR 4227
147 grain M80 pulls

Bought some pre-trimmed/sized/primed brass to get things going.

I'm trying to find a good load to start with for the 147gn bullets with 4227. Data is a bit scarce. Anyone running this combo? I was thinking about starting around 15gn with an OAL of 2.135" (around the cannelure) and working from there.

Disclaimer: What I load is my own choice and I take full responsibility for my own reloading and for any damage to my rifle, my person, etc..

thanks in advance!
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ShortBarrelShepherd
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Re: Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

Post by ShortBarrelShepherd »

Hi there! I can't help you with the powder, but did you read about my experience with the pulls?

viewtopic.php?f=141&t=87569

Might save yourself a headache if you wonder why your loaded rounds all have a different COAL.

Good luck!
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JJ1911
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Re: Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

Post by JJ1911 »

ShortBarrelShepherd wrote:Hi there! I can't help you with the powder, but did you read about my experience with the pulls?

viewtopic.php?f=141&t=87569

Might save yourself a headache if you wonder why your loaded rounds all have a different COAL.

Good luck!

Thanks! I noticed the exact same thing with almost the same results. The ones I've spot checked have ranged from 1.119 to 1.127.

Charge data seems to be all over the place though. I did find this which is close...

http://www.reloadersnest.com/unverified ... 35&ID=2797

It's showing 16gn of 4227 loaded to 2.20OAL @ 1871 FPS with a 147gn Winchester FMJBT.

So, even if I loaded a bit shorter (~2.14), I'm betting on 15gn being a relatively safe starting point.
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Jargonhead
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Re: Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

Post by Jargonhead »

FWIW I loaded some 150grn M2s seated at the canelure and got these results out of a 10.5' barrel. No pressure signs, full function, and bolt lock back. Decent accuracy. 4' at 100m.

IMR 4227
16.6 1730 avg
16.9 1772 avg

My neighbor ran some Hornady 150 fmjs with the same load and had similar results. I do remember the canelure was totally exposed on his so that might give you somewhat of an oal. Edit, looks like 2.145.

Rob

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Last edited by Jargonhead on Sat Feb 22, 2014 2:17 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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JJ1911
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Re: Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

Post by JJ1911 »

Jargonhead wrote:FWIW I loaded some 150grn M2s seated at the canelure and got theses results out of a 10.5' barrel. No pressure signs, full function, and bolt lock back. Decent accuracy. 4' at 100m.

IMR 4227
16.6 1730 avg
16.9 1772 avg

My neighbor ran some Hornady 150 fmjs with the same load and had similar results. I do remember the canelure was totally exposed on his so that might give you somewhat of an oal.

Rob
Hmm. Thanks Rob. I may bump the starting charge closer to 16 then. 15 might just be a little too light.
JJ1911
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Re: Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

Post by JJ1911 »

Finally worked up a few rounds and went to the range.

Regarding 4227 and 147gn M80 pulls.. Here is my experience:

15gn netted around ~1600 FPS out of a 9" barrel, 15.6gn landed in the 1650fps range. 16gn was the most consistent with 5 shots:

1701
1700
1700
1698
1699

Brass trimmed to 1.360 and the rounds seated to ~2.120. No obvious pressure signs. I'll probably work this one upward a bit more.
balyon85
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Re: Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

Post by balyon85 »

Hodgdon site shows 16.5 as their starting load and 17.8 as the max. I've yet to shoot mine, but I'm loading with imr4227 and using the Hornaday 150 grain sp interlocks.
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ShortBarrelShepherd
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Re: Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

Post by ShortBarrelShepherd »

Thanks for the update!

I've yet to shoot my M80 pulls (range still has over two feet of snow on it) but I'm always thankful for reading other people's experiences with these projectiles.

At what distance did you fire these? Were you just function / velocity testing, or did you do any accuracy testing as well?
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stanprophet
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Re: Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

Post by stanprophet »

We bought 1000 150gr that look identical, and have the same length variance as those pulls. We have worked out the bugs on getting the rifle to cycle, with those fixed we had to address the ammo. We started with 14gr of IMR 4227 based on the hornady 9th edition manual. They were too light. We then bumped to 16.0gr based on the Hodgdon information having a starting load at 16.5.

We were loading to O.A.L. of 2.165, but found that is would vary if the end of the case was in the cannular or not. We ran them down to 2.150 making them much more consistent in the cannular. When we tested them we found they functioned well, great accuracy, but would not hold the bolt open on the last round. So now we have bumped it up to 16.5gr and have not test fired them yet. I think if the rifle is broken in you should be ok at 16gr. But it might be safer to have a starting load at 16.5gr. Hodgdons data was also backed up by Sierra showing almost the same starting and max load with their 150-155gr projectiles.

ETA: We are running Carbine gas on a 16" bbl
john from md
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Re: Looking for a starting load-147gn pulls, IMR4227

Post by john from md »

I use 16.5 gns IMR 4227 with 150 gn Hornady FMJ and get great accuracy and they function reliably. I am using a carbine with a .125 gas port and a standard buffer.

Regards,

John
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