Now I have a thought about using Norma brass, which has about 4.5-gr H2O capacity greater
than the W-W Super and Hornady brass.


With Norma brass, in 25" Shilen barrel,
404-gr Shock Hammer at 3.380" COL: 80.0-gr AA-2230 >>> 2488 fps MV
404-gr Shock Hammer at 3.480" COL: 80.0-gr AA-2230 >>> 2425 fps MV
So, 63 fps MV was lost by not increasing the powder charge with increasing COL to 3.480".

Next, again in Norma brass:
404-gr Shock Hammer at 3.480" COL: 84.0-gr AA-2230 >>> 2545 fps MV

So, 120 fps MV was gained by adding 4 grains of AA-2230 at constant COL of 3.480".
Using the faster powders might do more than AA-2230 ball,
with minimal compression of the extruded "Extreme" powders in the Norma brass.

?? grains of H4198 or ?? grains of H322 in Norma brass at 3.480" COL might crack 2600 fps.
AA-2015BR is too bulky, fine-grained extruded though it is.
74 grains of H4198 and 80 grains of H322 in Norma brass at 3.480" COL to start, and work upward,
with the 404-gr Shock Hammer.
They are slick bullets, need more steam to build some pressure. whistle

87 grains of H4895 got the 400-gr Woodleigh PPSN over 2600 fps with heavy compression,
not ideal if it can be done with a lesser amount of a faster powder.
And the 404-gr SH is too long in the boat tail for shallow seating.
3.480" COL or a little shorter, maybe 3.450" is ideal, for seating depths of 0.460" to 0.490" respectively.
This allows good neck tension and bullet alignment,
and the hammer PDR bands can be easily crimped in the trough in that range, with 2.500" brass.
Seat anywhere and use a Lee factory Crimp.

I do recall that I had a primer fall out of the Norma brass with 86 grains of AA-2230 and the 450-grain TSX,
using new, unfired brass.
If I keep practicing at it, I'll get those primer pockets work hardened on the Norma brass,
and the necks annealed.


Ron aka "Rip" for Riflecrank Internationale Permanente
NRA Life Benefactor and Beneficiary
.458 Winchester Magnum, Magnanimous in Victory
THE WALKING DEAD does so remind me of Democrap voters. Donkeypox.