How to Estimate Maximum Pressure

How to estimate maximum pressure. This is ver straight foreward. All ammunition operate at a specific pressure level. Factories never exceed the SAAMI pressure limit for any given cartridge. Example: a .223 Remington should not exceed 52,000psi. Knowing this you can use a factory load as a "control" in order not to exceed that limit with your handload. So if you know that you're approaching the maximum allowable pressure that's when you need to stop adding powder. If you're not getting the speed you want switch to a slower burning powder.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• ammo
• ammosmith
• Ammosmith.com
• guns
• reloading

[IRmediator]

Got a question... Not all ammo manufacturers use Starline or other off brand brass. Reloaders choose these off brands because of cost. So, if one is attempting to obtain factory ammo to use the brass as a control group against reloaded brass to test maximum pressures, then how would that work with off brand brass like Starline that may not be used in a factory load?

[ammosmith]

@IRmediator In that case use the standard indicators. Flattened primers, pressure rings and difficult extraction. Never exceed maximum loads and always use good judgement in your loads.

[CaptainMcWood]

what about belted mag cases? does this technique apply to them?

[ammosmith]

Yes. Measure just in front of the belt

[PublicFilthSpeeks]

Great videos... subcribed... I have a lotta vids to watch now...  Thanks for helping keep the reloading community safe.... 5 Stars.

[fadingabel7]

will those pressure marks be more visible the more time you reload?

[rroberts383]

nifty. who'da thunk it

[DobermansRock]

Calipers are just fine. I am an aircraft mechanic and they have always been and shown true to the numbers in the book. If used right.

12 bucks bought me one from Harber Frieght and it has passed calibrations every time. Digital too.

[ammosmith]

Use a factory round in your rifle and use that as your pressure "barometer".

[dills2403]

do i check before sizing im using full length dies...so ur saying factory is .370 1x fired im useing .223 federal case