.404J loads for AA2520 and VV N-150

[Nevada Mike]

I have decided (or it has been decided for me) that I will start load development for my 404J with these powders. Any suggestions for recipes or alternative powders would be welcome.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Proneshooter]

Mike,
I have not personally used N 150 for my 404, but I do love Vit. powders. Now I did use, many years ago, AA2520 in some 223 and 308 loads and found it very temp sensitive. If I let the round sit in the chamber a bit to long, I always got a change in elevation. Just something to think about, kind of stinks right now with the lack of availability of powders right now.

 

[Nevada Mike]

Thanks, John. I have several lbs. of AA2520 and from the little I found, thought it might work. I think I'll try it, even if I end up using something else.

 

[Scrumbag]

Hi @Nevada Mike ,

N150 should work fine. Do you have Pierra van der Walt's book? He has some N150 load data.

I just picked my 404 Jeff up. Had the safety "moved" from by the side of the action to an M70 3 position type.

Scrummy

 

[Nevada Mike]

Scrummy - I do have Van derWalt's book. Both his books, in fact. He does have the only load for N150 in the .404J that I have found.

 

[Scrumbag]

Scrummy - I do have Van derWalt's book. Both his books, in fact. He does have the only load for N150 in the .404J that I have found.

Nice one.

I see you like 257 Roberts as well...

 

[Nevada Mike]

Scrummy

I like Pierre's writing as he doesn't sugar coat anything ad always points out the good and bad compromises in cartridge design. He does a good job of accumulating attributed load information.

Cartiridges I LIKE...

22-250, 257 Roberts, 25-'06, 6.5 X 55, 7 X57, 7mm RM, 30-'06, .338-'06, & .404J. I load for all of these for use in my own rifles.

 

[Shootist43]

Nevada Mike, I prefer Von Gruff's "Accuracy Load" using H 4350 powder. But you asked about the possibility of using VV N-150. Attached is a QuickLoad simulation of a load VV N150 that is very close to MAX PRESSURE. Back off a few grains and try it out. Note that I used a 400 Gr. Swift A Frame for this calculation.

 

[Scrumbag]

Scrummy

I like Pierre's writing as he doesn't sugar coat anything ad always points out the good and bad compromises in cartridge design. He does a good job of accumulating attributed load information.

Cartiridges I LIKE...

22-250, 257 Roberts, 25-'06, 6.5 X 55, 7 X57, 7mm RM, 30-'06, .338-'06, & .404J. I load for all of these for use in my own rifles.

Loving the classics my friend!

 

[VTT]

I have decided (or it has been decided for me) that I will start load development for my 404J with these powders. Any suggestions for recipes or alternative powders would be welcome.

Thanks,

Mike

https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/404JefferyWeb.pdf

http://peregrinebullets.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peregrine-Comprehensive-Reload-Data-Draft-Rev09.pdf

I load my 400grain Peregrine VRG-3 bullets with 81.0 grains of VV N550. Gives me good accuracy and bullet expansion without any pressure signs. I have also tried VV N165 up to 85.0 grains for same bullet, no pressure signs.
If you already have N150 at hand it should work great for the caliber also.

 

[GuttormG]

Some data from a Norwegian manual,

 

[Nevada Mike]

Thank you!

 

[Bert the Turtle]

I know that some powders are temperature sensitive. Does anyone know why? Seems to me that when fire the cartridge we are literally firing the cartridge and it’s going to be 1500 degrees or whatever one way or the other. I’ve never understood what difference it makes if it starts at 120 degrees or 60 degrees if it’s going to be WAY hotter than that once it’s actually used.

maybe it just starts easier. It does seem that firewood left inside near the stove is easier to light than wood fresh from the porch. Maybe it’s the same for powder.

 

[Nevada Mike]

I expect that higher temperatures may effect the initial ignition and burn rate. This could (in theory) effect pressure. I'll be loading and testing these rounds at my place in SE Arizona and expect that the temperature will be similar to the temperatures that prevail in SW Tanzania. I am not concerned, as the .404J is a low pressure cartridge and my rifle is a quality Mauser 98 design.