Data question
- Thread starter Bob7.62
- Start date
Only if you have the right load data for each bullet type. The seating depth is the problem, because if you put a different shape bullet or a higher grain bullet into a load developed for a smaller bullet you might run into problems. If there is supposed to be X amount of space in the casing and you reduce it to Y you MAY get into problems with chamber pressures.
Having said that, there is usually a margin of safety and if you check the reloading charts, you can find 10 different answers for the same bullet.
Next question is...what are you shooting? If the answer is "paper" then you can use any load that will get the bullet out of the end of the barrel - you can go with the minimum and save the wear and tear on your gun and the brass. If you are hunting, then you need to look higher up on the chart to get what you need on the far end of your shot. I usually look on 2-3 reloading web sites and choose a load about 3/4 the way up the chart and go with it. Other people will do 5 rounds a piece at a number of loads from minimum to maximum and then take them to the range and fire them. They may end up picking the load that has the highest speed with the least signs of "stress" on the brass.
Anyway, there are a dozen guys that will argue with me
Enjoy!
Having said that, there is usually a margin of safety and if you check the reloading charts, you can find 10 different answers for the same bullet.
Next question is...what are you shooting? If the answer is "paper" then you can use any load that will get the bullet out of the end of the barrel - you can go with the minimum and save the wear and tear on your gun and the brass. If you are hunting, then you need to look higher up on the chart to get what you need on the far end of your shot. I usually look on 2-3 reloading web sites and choose a load about 3/4 the way up the chart and go with it. Other people will do 5 rounds a piece at a number of loads from minimum to maximum and then take them to the range and fire them. They may end up picking the load that has the highest speed with the least signs of "stress" on the brass.
Anyway, there are a dozen guys that will argue with me
Enjoy!
So long as you're not mixing jacketted loads with lead loads, or anything all copper like barnes. If the load is for a jacketted 120gr bullet, and you're using a different jacketted 120gr bullet, it should be ok. As always YMMV, and it'd be best to check more than one source, and make your best personal decision from that. Safety first, but there's not really any particular danger here. I know my Speer number 14 manual lists all the bullets of the same weight with the same data, regardless of shape. There are a few exceptions, but not a lot, and you'll weed those out by checking more than one source.
You can use load data as a starting point but stick to the -10% rule and work up. Different makers' bullets can range in diameter by .0005" if not more and the bearing surface length can vary as well. There was a study in an old Gun Digest (I think) that found as much as 8000 psi difference can be generated when only the bullet was switched for load testing.
