Newbie question: Which data to use?

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GIGGIDY

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Hi guys,

I just started reloading. I'm working up some loads for coyotes with my .223 Stevens 200. I'm using Winchester once fired Brass, CCI BR4 primers (all I could get at the time), 60gr Hornaday V-Max bullets, and Varget.

Here's my dilemma:

The Hornaday 7th edition manual says starting load for the 60gr V-Max and Varget is 21.7gr with a max load of 24.9gr.

The Hodgdon Website says start with 25.0 gr. and a max of 27.0 gr. compressed.

That seems like a huge difference to me, which data do I use? Why such a big difference?

Thanks in advance for educating a newb! :)
 
I would start with Hornaday and end with Hodgdon max. Work your way up in .5 gr until you either start opening up groups or pressure signs. ie flat primers, ejector marks or stiff bolt opening. They used different rifles, maybe different batches of powder so on and so on. You could look in yet a different manual and see what is given there and maybe find a happy medium. The joys of reloading.
 
The Hodgdon Basic Manual that I downloaded in .pdf format is somewhat different than the Hodgdon website. http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Hodgdon%20Basic%20Manual.pdf

At the top every load data page is this note: "*Max loads that show an asterik following the “C” for compressed
load will not fit with standard 7828. Reduce by 4%"

I don't now if this refers solely to 7828 or all compressed loads. I only mention it because, as I said, there is a difference between the two Hodgdon documents. This is but one example of the differences.

I'll leave it up to you to make the determination as to its relevance in your situation.
 
That's why it's important to get as much reloading data as you possibly can. Rifles, powder lots, and environmental conditions can and do cause different results. The max loads shown for both sets of data may have been accurate with the rifle and powder used in the conditions present when the data was compiled. If you had several more data sources, you might notice that one of them seem slightly off from the rest. Your experience at reloading for your rifles will then help you decide where to start. If you're not sure, always err on the side of caution and start low.

Looking at the data you posted, I know where I would start.....;)
 
for .223 my speer manual and hodgdon both state 25start 27gn max..

BUT bullet weight will also determine your min and max loads... if on used a 52gn bullet on the load data and the other used a 64gn bullet the loads will be different despite being the same cartridge in the same caliber
 
I have found for the calibers I mainly reload for, 223 and 308, that the Hornady data is on the milder side while the Hodgeson max is on the hotter side.
Of course thats with the powders I have selected.

It takes a while of reading your manuals and reloading for your own rifles to get a feel for where you could start loading in a particular rifle with any particular powder and bullet powder combination.

I know I have wasted (for want of a better word) components by starting load development lower than was necessary many times. But I see it as all part of the learning process and hobby that is reloading.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, I have loaded up some rds starting with the Hornaday loads, I'll work my way up until I reach the Hodgdon max, looking for pressure signs or until I have some groups I'm happy with.

Hopefully my rifle likes the 60gr. bullets.

:)
 
I figure as Hodgdon makes the powder and probably employs a lot of lawyers, they should know what they are taking about.
 
I take a survey of all load data I can find, and see if there is a reasonable consensus. The one thing you do have to watch with very slow powders is going too low in the load. You can get a secondary explosion effect. Not sure if Varget is slow enough to do that. H4831 sure can. Here is some more load data to put things in perspective:

Sierra .223 Load Data

Nosler .223 Load Data
 
GIGDIDY, one of the most reliable pressure signs is available to you if you shoot your incremental powder charge increases over a chronograph, and note the velocity increase with each charge weight increase. You know, 0.2 grain increase, x fps velocity increase, sort of consistent, as you go from starting load up. Then, after three or four increments, you should be able to predict velocity. Compare your predicted increase with the observed. If you get significantly less velocity increase than expected, you have probably encroached into excess pressures. A sudden leap in velocity, or negatve increase would almost assuredly indicate excess pressures.

There are no absolutes in determining excess pressure through indirect inference, such as sticky bolt lift, cratered or flattened primers, permanent increase in case body diameter, or the above observation of velocity changes. But the first three, and their similar genre are indications that you have exceeded safe pressures, while the velocity change profile normally gives some forewaring and is more frequently evidence that you have "approached" excessive pressure.

Velocity is not all it is cracked up to be. Early throat erosion, short case life, and loud, hard recoiling loads have no too much to recommend them, in my book. Ruined guns have even less appeal. YMMV
 
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