Hey guys, done a bit of experimenting with a new powder in my 416 Taylor yesterday with the 400 gr Partition bullet and the results were quite welcome.
The go to powder for the 416 Taylor has been RL-15, I referenced powder burn rate charts and picked a slower burning yet more compact powder, CFE-223 got the nod for testing, it also proved stellar in my 400 Whelen.
I started with the RL-15 charges using the CFE-223 and carefully worked up using a chrono looking and feeling for over pressure signs, I used ONE piece of necked down W-W 458 WM brass for all velocity testing, it had already been fired twice and I fired it four more times building to a max load, primer pocket was still tight on the 7th loading.
CFE-223
75.0 gr 2274
76.0 gr 2326
77.0 gr 2380
77.5 gr 2407
I stopped testing at 2400 fps, just wanted to safely get there, all cases fell from the rifle, no sticky bolt, no shiny caseheads or extractor cut flowback, again, primer pocket tight.
Easily loaded 77.5 grs of CFE-223 with this looong 400 gr Partition bullet to a coal of 3.320" using a 24" drop tube, that's all my mag box will allow.
Using three [new] twice fired cases shot a littler over a one inch three shot group, that's with a 1.5-5 Leupold and a bit of Sunday evening crosswind, I'll take it.
