substituting a lighter bullet

[Groverino]

According to my lee manual it's ok to substitute a lighter bullet in a given load. How much lighter are we talking? Would it be safe using a 165 gr bullet using load data for 180 gr?

 

[horseman2]

Maybe but you should still work up the load.
What does you manual say in regards to the particular bullet you plan to use?
Some manuals will list their 175 and 180 as one and the same but I would do my same work up by creating a dummy round for both bullets to make certain the overall length (OAL) is safe.

 

[Groverino]

It only has data for a barnes x solid bullet in 165 grain and i want to try a hornadt bthp in the same weight.

 

[Fall Guy]

It only has data for a barnes x solid bullet in 165 grain and i want to try a hornadt bthp in the same weight.

Happens with all reference reload data because of the sheer quantity of different bullets of the same weight out there. Use the data.

As is always stipulated, start at the minimum and work your way up.

 

[Groverino]

Use the load data for the barnes bullet or the 180 gr?

 

[Groverino]

I was wary of using the data for the barnes as it's lead free. My hornady bullets are just regular jacketed and i thought there might be a difference in pressures.

 

[Fall Guy]

Use the load data for the barnes bullet or the 180 gr?

Barnes 165 data for the Hornady 165 BHTP

 

[Groverino]

Thanks!

 

[CanuckWR]

Or you could go to Hodgdon's site for the online date. They will probably have the load you are looking for.