Federal 230gr HST projectile starting point

[Greymatter]

37 gr H110

[Greymatter]

38gr H110

[Greymatter]

Didn't want to send them over the bayonet until I witnessed they would stay together at these velocities. I will load more around the 37gr range and get some data. I did have some issues with a few hangfires and heavy soot.

[Al in Mi]

Nothing wrong with that!!!

[Greymatter]

I loaded a total of 15 rounds. In hindsight I probably shouldn't have used the expander die. I am using the Hornady 4 die set, and expanded to .480" then crimped to .475 (+- .0005)". I had two rounds that would not seat, until I cleaned the chamber with a mop. What is the formula for eliminating sooting? If I cleaned the barrel every 3-4 rounds I had zero issues. Still relatively new to loading 450BM, but have reloaded for 9 years with rifle rounds.

[MOOSE EARS]

Load them as hot as you feel safe for best results in sealing the chamber via case expansion. Sometimes max loads work better.

[Al in Mi]

Do those bullets measure. 451 or .452? Removing the expander will help with bullet tension, might try crimping tighter, .473ish.

As moose ears mentioned, bumping the charge up will help too.

[Greymatter]

Most of the bullets I checked were .4515"
I seated the bullets to just past the cannelure. I'm sure I can load more powder (probably around 40gr) safely. I just worry about the pill staying together past +2100 fps. How much crimp is to much and creates headspace issues? I've read conflicting numbers. If nothing else, I'll try the "thunk" test.

[Al in Mi]

I try and stay at .473 with XTP mags and Barnes, never had a headspace issue in any of my guns.

you might want to try a CCI 450 or Remmy 7 1/2 primer, they tend to be a bit hotter than standard primers, might eliminate those hangfires.

[Bmt85]

The hangfires and sooting are most likely from the powder not getting up to pressure fast enough when the bullet leaves the case. You could try running a faster powder like Lilgun or Enforcer. Lilgun will most likely give you more velocity. Enforcer, which I believe is the same as Accurate 4100, should get up to pressure faster and hopefully not gain too much velocity, don't know for sure. Maybe even try faster than that.

I would definitely recommend not flaring the mouth, increasing your crimp, and running a hotter primer.