Recepe for factory load?

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Pyd

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As I begin reloading I think the hardest part is finding the terminology to do a search. If I don't know the words, I cant enter them as a search.
I had no intention of reloading, my one rifle at the time didn't need it, it shoots great and would be hard to improve on the factory premium stuff, my .204 Ruger.
Now a few more rifles are in our lives, so reloading became a better option.
Now that I am equipped to reload, or at least getting closer I would like to duplicate my Federal premium ammo I purchase for my .204, but here is where my lack of terminology is stopping me.
When I enter a search on Google, what words am I looking for to look this up? Recipe is what I made up, but there has to be a better word.

I make the odd call to buddy in Oklahoma for advice, and write down every word he says that I do not know, that has taught me a lot, and things I simply would not have considered prior to learning the word.
So.. What is the term for a breakdown of components on a predetermined load?
Is there a site I can find the factory load data?

Better yet, as much help as you guys have been on this journey, is there a site recommended for just reloading? I seem to have jumped in with both feet here, it is consuming my mind, my time and my wallet, and I am loving every second of it. I just want more information.
Thanks
David
 
Usually, on shooting forums there should be a reloading section and if you type in something like : 9mm load data, info should pop up ! If you have a certain gun, search for their forum and look for the reloading or ammo section. This might help .
 
Also, if you go to the company's website and look up your ammo , it should give the FPS and energy rating for that load, then you can go to reloading manuals and look for a load that mimics the factory one. I do it all the time, if the factory load is very accurate.
 
Pyd said:
I would like to duplicate my Federal premium ammo I purchase for my .204,
Click to expand...

Here's Federal's FAQ. To which one of the questions is what their load data is:

http://www.federalpremium.com/company/faq.aspx

Their answer is that they won't publish it. But they do refer to Alliant Powder and Speer bullets. I googled "which bullets and powder does federal premium use"... other key words are "load data" "components".... "bullet" is a tough one. Anyone outside of reloading sees a completed cartridge ready to go in a gun as a "bullet"... a reloader knows that a bullet is just the projectile.

Hope that helps you on your way.

And as an aside... you can do MUCH better than any factory recipe. Research, and play around with loads (as long as it's within pressures).
 
In many cases factory ammo uses powders that reloaders don't have access to (TOP SECRET).
Give Reloaders Nest forum a try .
 
You can't get the exact powders used by the assorted manufacturers, but you can find Factory Duplication loads in manuals. Never says what factory though.
Factories don't publish the exact load because it's not the same from one lot to another. They load to get a specific velocity and pressure range.
The bullet weight you're using makes a huge difference too. Federal uses a 32 or 40 grain Nosler BT(kind of pricey). Nosler's site has lots of .204 data. Use the 'most accurate powder' for the bullet weight and work up from the start load. A load tailored for your rifle will be far more accurate than a factory load.
 
image.jpgHodgdon reloading data is a good place . Enter cal, Bullet weight, powder manufacturer, and powder type. Gives you lots of data . You can choose by bullet weight , powder type , etc.
 

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Home reloaders need products that do well when exposed to a variety of conditions. We also tend to open and handle the powder a lot more often over a long time period compared to what a factory would ever do with their powder. So they can run powders with different makeups effectively that we can't. Likely those powders are cheaper to buy which is why they would do that. But it also means that we have no access to those powders.

I know that I'd dearly LOVE to be able to use the same powder that Winchester uses in their WinClean ammo. It leaves the brass looking cleaner than new. So no need to clean before reloading. But it's some oddball stuff which likely has oddball storage needs and likely a super short shelf life once opened. So they don't sell it to us reloaders.

As stated above this leaves us with the idea of using the same bullets as your favourite factory ammo and just find a load that produces the same muzzle velocity as you get with the factory stuff.

Consider too that published muzzle velocities are seldom the same as what your rifle gets. So you'd need to test some factory rounds for muzzle velocity and that is the goal you load towards.
 
I assume you are are using the google search engine. just search for things like '204 load data', '204 4064', 'favorite 204 loads'

you should get lots of hits and a lot from discussion forums dedicated to reloading. Get ready to spend a lot of time reading on the web, and reading loading manuals too. If you don't like to read it will be hard to learn quickly.
 
Can't help you with federal, but winchester flat out states their ball powders are used in their loaded ammo.

Factories are going to use the fastest powder that get the proper velocity while staying within the pressure limits.
 
Brianma65 said:
View attachment 21331Hodgdon reloading data is a good place . Enter cal, Bullet weight, powder manufacturer, and powder type. Gives you lots of data . You can choose by bullet weight , powder type , etc.
Click to expand...

Better yet... just select caliber and bullet weight... for other data enter "any" and then scroll through the options and compare the various load data.

Federal is one of the major consumers of Alliant powder... right now, that is bad news for you.
 
Got it.
For some reason I thought I could just duplicate numbers, didn't realize it was a secret.
I got some terms here that I needed, and that is all I can ask for.
I have another rifle I need to get under control before I tackle my .204, but I have a better understanding of the words I need to look up without starting a new thread every time I have a question.
I appreciate the patience in dealing with my questions, I am taking this all in and wont ask twice.

When I started I thought it was about adding powder, dropping a bullet and shooting.. Turns out, it is a bit more complex than that, and I love it.
Again, thank you all for taking the time to answer these questions. I couldn't imagine what this must have been like for people before the internet.
Back to my research..
 
Most likely your reloads will surpass factory rounds for accuracy - try some 'tried and true' recipes for each caliber you are loading for - best place to start is Sierras load manual, where it lists "Accuracy loads" at the bottom of each page. Nosler also identifies the accuracy loads in their manual.
 
Pyd said:
When I started I thought it was about adding powder, dropping a bullet and shooting.. Turns out, it is a bit more complex than that, and I love it.
Click to expand...

Everyone that I've shown reloading to thought they would be in and out of my house in an hour... two max.

Then their OCD kicks in...
 
OP, good book to have is "Ammo and Ballistics" by Bob Forker. 5th edition has 204 data. Federal uses 32gn Nosler and Speer bullets and a 40gn Sierra bullet. It publishes data for each. If you want to match factory, you will have to work up a load that matches a chronographed load you are now shooting, using the same cases they use, the same primer they use, same bullet, same rifle... Then try to build one to match the performance. That'll be a PIA. Just grab a powder listed as the accuracy powder, and build a round for your tastes. And, it's more fun.
 
The "problem" with trying to duplicate factory loads is that most of the time they treat their loading data as "proprietary information" and don't share. They also are privy to components that us peasants are not. No different that you emailing KFC head office and asking what exactly are those damned 11 herbs and spices
 
factorys don't use canister powders. they blend powder to get the performance they want. use a loading manuel and start experimenting.
 
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