Pressure Testing Reloads

Buckshot hunting load with only fiber wads and nitro cards.

To those who say follow the manual: that data comes from somewhere, someone has to do the testing and what I am proposing is in no way unsafe.
 
I used to send ammo to the gov't lab in Bells Corners (Ottawa) for testing. Was not expensive.

But, the usual way to develop a handload is to work up. If I was developing a slug load, I would start with a known suitable powder and I would have a particular velocity in mind - say 1400 fps,. Then I would work up until I got my target velocity, watching for pressure.
 
I was under the impression that shotgun loads didn't show pressure signs as readily due to lower pressure ~10k psi.

what do you look for when working up a load?
 
In my experience shotgun shells show "pressure signs" very readily due to the very thin brass that's employed.
 
PlaidSon said:
I was under the impression that shotgun loads didn't show pressure signs as readily due to lower pressure ~10k psi.

what do you look for when working up a load?
Click to expand...

I look for velocity. If you have a suitable powder, velocity and pressure are the same thing. You can measure velocity easily. I look for good groups within my chosen speed (pressure) limit.
 
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