348 pressures

[Leverluver]

I always guessed that the old 348 ammo that was loaded prior to updated pressure methods was considerably hotter than any made since that time, i.e. in the last 30 years. The factory 250 Silver Tips always felt right on the verge of causing sticky extraction, in both my original and Browning 71s. I finaly got around to getting my 348 pressure barrel hitched up and the numbers confirmed my suspicions. Factory 200 grain Silver Tips made less than 10 years ago were traveling an average of 2468fps @ 36,600psi. The old 348-250 factory Silver Tips averaged 2240fps @ 43,000psi. I guess others may have had some sticky case problems or maybe they just hired more lawyers . A lot of things changed when they found out the old pressure testing methods weren't all that reliable. Now the big question, what do you load to, 37K or 43K ?

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Have you fired any of the Grizzly 250 grain loads? They don't stick on me but I'm pretty sure they are on the stout side. I chrono'd them one day from both a Browning and a Winchester and they were over 2400fps I believe. I'll have to see if I can find those old notes.

Which pressure tool are you using?

[Kansas Ed]

My std load runs about 5000 PSI less I would guess than the 36000 load you are talking about. I see no need to take the recoil for whitetail deer at 150 yds max.


Ed

[Don McDowell]

Interesting stuff there Leverluber.
Maybe load for the best accuracy , then pressure test?

[tman]

Have you fired any of the Grizzly 250 grain loads? They don't stick on me but I'm pretty sure they are on the stout side. I chrono'd them one day from both a Browning and a Winchester and they were over 2400fps I believe. I'll have to see if I can find those old notes.

Which pressure tool are you using?

WOW! got to order some

[Leverluver]

Yes, I imagine that 250 at 2400 is pretty stout. No I haven't fired any of it. Over time I plan to look at a lot of book loads. I use an M43. Been using it for over 10 years on over 20 different calibers.

[1886]

I suspect any "stickiness" you experienced with the 250gr load is much more a function of the .348 case design than pressure. The case is shaped like a wedge and acts like a wedge in the chamber. Given your experience, I know I am not stating anything that you do not already know! Regards, 1886.

[Leverluver]

You are correct as to the one of many peculiarities of the 348. Be that as it may, I intend to stick with pressures no higher than the hottest "original" factory loads in my pesonal lever guns. The "where will it blow up' folks can have the field all to their own. If I want to go smokin', I have an AI for that. And yes, I've been shooting 348s for near 40 years.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

I think I was off. My old notes show the Grizzly doing 2332 average from my Winchester and 12 fps slower from my Browning. Still, that's moving pretty good for a 250 grain slug. I believe they loaded the Hawk 348 copper jacketed flat points in these.

[1886]

You are correct as to the one of many peculiarities of the 348. Be that as it may, I intend to stick with pressures no higher than the hottest "original" factory loads in my pesonal lever guns. The "where will it blow up' folks can have the field all to their own. If I want to go smokin', I have an AI for that. And yes, I've been shooting 348s for near 40 years.

Sound wisdom. 1886.

[alamogunr]

I have a Browning 71 that I bought because the price was right and I just like the looks of them. Because of that purchase, I bought 2 boxes of Buffalo Bore 348 loads (they were on closeout). They are labeled 250 gr. jacketed flat nose bonded core and indicate 2250 fps. Does anyone know what pressure these generate?

John
W.TN

[1886]

I have a Browning 71 that I bought because the price was right and I just like the looks of them. Because of that purchase, I bought 2 boxes of Buffalo Bore 348 loads (they were on closeout). They are labeled 250 gr. jacketed flat nose bonded core and indicate 2250 fps. Does anyone know what pressure these generate?

John
W.TN

Hi, No but perfectly safe in your B-71. Bank vault strong action. 1886.

Updated. See below

[1886]

I have a Browning 71 that I bought because the price was right and I just like the looks of them. Because of that purchase, I bought 2 boxes of Buffalo Bore 348 loads (they were on closeout). They are labeled 250 gr. jacketed flat nose bonded core and indicate 2250 fps. Does anyone know what pressure these generate?

John
W.TN

Hi, According to their web page, 33,000 cup. Quite modest. 1886.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l= ... tail&p=160

[alamogunr]

Thanks, Never thought to look on their web page.

John
W.TN