Load data in different manuals

Silverado

Silverado

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Last night I noticed that the Lee loading manual and the Barnes Manual list different charges for the same bullet/cartridge.

I'm assuming that the Barnes data is what should be used to work from, as the Lee data is a few grains heavier in every case...

Where does Lee get their data?
 
I would assume that Lee data are the result of Lee's testing; all the companies in the reloading industry maintain labs. If you are loading Barnes bullets I would suggest that you use Barnes' data.
Results can vary for many reasons, even from different production lots of the same make of compnents.
 
Last night I noticed that the Lee loading manual and the Barnes Manual list different charges for the same bullet/cartridge.
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Anyone with a fair bit of relading experience has learned that it is very normal to have several different maximum suggested powder charges in the various manuals.Each company uses a different barrel, and different lots of powder ,bullets,brass and primers to develop their loads.Since you are not using the same barrel that was used in the manuals,and most likely different lot#s of powder,bullets,brass and primers,none of these loads apply to your specific gun and components.Loading manuals are only guides to be used as starting points to develop loads.It is very unlikely that the velocity or pressures produced in your gun are going to be the same as the velocity or pressure produced in any of the manuals.
 
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............And that is all the more reaosn to use a chronograph...SO when you start getign up to max velocities, you know you are near the edge.:)
 
And that is all the more reaosn to use a chronograph...SO when you start getign up to max velocities, you know you are near the edge
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This brings up two more concerns.One is that due to those same differences in barrels and components,your rifle might develop over 100fps more or less than the velocities listed in the manual even if you are developing the same chamber pressure.
The second concern is that since the maximum velocities listed in the manuals often vary by 150fps to 200fps for the same components and the same barrel lengths,which manual do you trust?Since you aren't using the same barrel or lot#s of components,none can be relied on to represent the velocity that your gun will produce at the design chamber pressure for the given cartridge.
 
For the record, the new Barnes data on the copper club website is dramatically lower than Barnes #3 manual in many cases. Some as much as 4 grains. I have always found the Barnes manual pretty hot at max.
 
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