What data to use
- Thread starter theplat
- Start date
Let the gun tell you. On some calibers the manuals don't come close o matching.
I own and use a number of manuals, but generally reach for the Lyman manual as a starting point when considering a new load. It is quite comprehensive and doesn't plump a particular bullet or propellant other than to cite a particular propellant and charge weight for a particular weight of bullet in a given caliber. I next look at the Sierra manual as it again cites a recommended accuracy load for each weight and caliber. After that I look at the other manuals.
Published data is in their rifle. There is a close correlation to pressure and velocity. Pressure, for a given load, will be in different than in their rifle, but the velocity for their max pressure will match the velocity for max pressure in your rifle. Start low, work up, checking for accuracy, pressure signs and velocity. If you reach max velocity, stop.
My go-to source is the Hodgdon data site or Alliant data site depending on which powder I'm using. It's not that I trust powder manufacturer data over bullet manufacturer but it's just easier since I always seem to have my computer on when I want to look up data. I do double check books (Lyman or bullet manufacturer) before starting but the first source I check is almost always the powder websites.
- Location
- West Quebec
I start with the Lyman manual as my goto reference than try to find corroborating info from several sources..
1. What makes you think your chamber and bore are the same dimensions as the loading data?
2. What makes you think your case capacity is the same as the loading manuals?
"ALL" loading data is only ball park information because each firearm is different along with the components.
Look at a few sources of start load information and average them for "YOUR" start load.
Increase the load until you have brass flow into the ejector on the bolt face.
The brass flow into the ejector means you have reached the max pressure for that brand of brass and your rifle. When you see this brass flow start you need to back off one to two grains of powder, and this is the max load for "your" rifle.
You also need to learn how to "read" your fired primers.
2. What makes you think your case capacity is the same as the loading manuals?
"ALL" loading data is only ball park information because each firearm is different along with the components.
Look at a few sources of start load information and average them for "YOUR" start load.
Increase the load until you have brass flow into the ejector on the bolt face.
The brass flow into the ejector means you have reached the max pressure for that brand of brass and your rifle. When you see this brass flow start you need to back off one to two grains of powder, and this is the max load for "your" rifle.
You also need to learn how to "read" your fired primers.
The simplest, and safest, method would be always to use the lowest change recommended, or at least in the lower third of the range, of the lowest range. Start there and with up until you get to the velocity and accuracy you want. Most manuals come somewhat close on their velocity as long as the barrel length is the same. If not, take that into consideration.
The load data I like best is the data I come up with myself, based on what the max velocity "should be" when the pressure is maxed, then using the most accurate load before or around that. If i hit that velocity but see zero pressure signs then I might very well try and see what they next fastest node is for accuracy, but that's rather easy to tell I've found using optimal barrel time method, and then using my data entered into quickload to figure it out. This has shown me that the 55 grain bullets for 223 well either be running slow ish, or to fast, if you want to hit that time. Sure you can get good accuracy otherwise, but i suggest it isn't the best accuracy, especially reaching out further. Hence, for me, it's 50 grain vmax, 64 grain Berger, or 69/70/75/77 grain pills, all at nearly three same velocity as each other
The powder maker has far more to lose if their data damages a firearm. I still use Lyman's manual though, Far more versatile than any powder or bullet maker's book.
Using "data I come up with myself, based on what the max velocity "should be", is a very good way to destroy your firearms and get hurt or worse. You have absolutely no way of telling what the pressures are for any velocity.
Optimal barrel time is nonsense. There's no such thing.
Using "data I come up with myself, based on what the max velocity "should be", is a very good way to destroy your firearms and get hurt or worse. You have absolutely no way of telling what the pressures are for any velocity.
Optimal barrel time is nonsense. There's no such thing.
- Location
- Where the sun shines
I like using Hodgdon data, namely because their website is quite easy to use.
I reference several different sources and then decide where to START.
I am using Berger bullets with Hodgdon powder. So after checking both those sources I look in my Sierra book and see which 2 of the 3 are similar.
The Berger manual has very conservative loads... so I started with a mid load from Berger wich is a starting load for Sierra.
After some load develpoment I ended up with 24.4 gr Varget with a 80.5 gr Berger bullet in a .223 Savage. This load is about 1 gr under the max load for Sierra and if I remeber corectly over max according the Berger.
Start low, work up, know your gun, watch for pressure.....
I am using Berger bullets with Hodgdon powder. So after checking both those sources I look in my Sierra book and see which 2 of the 3 are similar.
The Berger manual has very conservative loads... so I started with a mid load from Berger wich is a starting load for Sierra.
After some load develpoment I ended up with 24.4 gr Varget with a 80.5 gr Berger bullet in a .223 Savage. This load is about 1 gr under the max load for Sierra and if I remeber corectly over max according the Berger.
Start low, work up, know your gun, watch for pressure.....
I use the Hornady manual as my primary reference. I also have a Speer manual that is referenced as a 2nd source and I cruise on line to see what others are loading as a check for my end point.
I also load to the gun. I have a few older military conversions that I go with moderate loads in.
I also tend to go with the tried and true recipes out there for a given caliber so the cases are usually stuffed pretty full with the specified powder by time I hit the published MAX.
I also load to the gun. I have a few older military conversions that I go with moderate loads in.
I also tend to go with the tried and true recipes out there for a given caliber so the cases are usually stuffed pretty full with the specified powder by time I hit the published MAX.
- Location
- WMU248 near Edmonton
I have a few different manuals, I'll look at the data in each manual and pick my starting point and work up loads for testing.
once I have a load that works I write that info into the manual for future reference.
once I have a load that works I write that info into the manual for future reference.
