Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Only the REALLY lonely - .348 in lead-free zone - new CE bullets - need advice

Hi All -

I inherited my grandfather's .348 (1930's vintage) and would like to use it in the CA lead-free zone. Been looking for leadfree bullets for a while but couldn't pry any of the Barnes off of anyone.

Cutting Edge very recently started producing some .348 lead free all-copper bullets (they aren't on their website yet, but i ordered by phone). They don't have specific load data for them, instead referring to their general statement of using "loads for like-weight bullets, start 5% low for safety".

Here's my question: The new bullets are 175gr hollow points. What load data would you use as a start? What powder would make sense and at what loads? Should I use the Hodgon data for 200gr Hornady JFP? That data should understate the load if I start at the min load and only work up to the max-load velocity for the 200gr (~2600fps)?

I have a pound of Varget left, and a few pounds of 4166. Not averse to buying more 4350 or 4895 or whatever seems to make sense. I wondered if 4895 would make more sense and start really low - like a 70% load based off of max of the 200gr load? (Since the 200gr max is lower than the theoretical max for 175gr, I wouldn't go down to the 60% starting point if i was trying to make reduced loads).

About me: I'm not an experimenter or a hot-rodder. I like lots of safety margin. I like loads to stay right in the known zone. I have a chrony and don't drive bullets faster than known loads even if i reach that before i get to the stated max number of grains. I've not used Cutting Edge bullets before, nor loaded for the .348.

Thanks
HT

Sounds like your plan is as good as any, unless one of the ballistics programs could help you make a better guess. The tapered locking bolts on a 71 supposedly will open a bit when pressures get a little hot, but I never experienced that myself. If those Raptors are grooved, that should help with pressures.

First, I'd call them for advice, but lacking that, I'd start with 200gr data for Varget and work up to a good working velocity level, watching for signs of trouble like extraction difficulty.

You might also look for data for the Barnes bullets and other customs like North Fork or Hawk.

Good luck.

They should be able to help with a starting load. Call them and ask.

Yeah, I did that by both phone and email before I started this thread. "Load data for like weight bullets minus 5%" was all I got.

I'd start with 200-grain bullet data plus 5%, and probably use one of the 4895's, Varget or RL-15. I'd also watch the chronograph and not push 'em beyond 2800 fps.

Thanks.

Probably go the Varget route. And will definitely keep the velocity down below 2800.

Update in case someone comes across this thread later:

Cutting Edge emailed me this morning with load data for that included info for RL-15, RL-17, the 4895s, Varget, and some others. All are about 100% loads, and all are right around or a little above 2800 fps.

Plus, all Cutting Edge bullets I've fired are the bore riding variety, less pressure to get em through the bore, good luck.