View Single Post
 
Old 08-16-2013, 06:26 PM
mkk41 mkk41 is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: South East , PA . USA
Posts: 5,027
Likes: 485
Liked 1,610 Times in 884 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mscampbell2734 View Post
Grain weight refers to BOTH.

The general rule of thumb is a heavier bullet requires a lighter powder charge.

The reason is a heavier bullet results in both more friction with the barrel, the heavier bullet is physically longer, hence more contact and friction, and the heavier bullet has greater inertia. Both result in more pressure, meaning a lower powder charge to stay within safe limits.
Well , maybe yes , maybe no. That's if you ASSuME that the same powder is being used.

But if a handloader is using , say , HP-38 , yes , a heavier bullet would generally call for a lighter powder charge , due to the burning characteristics of smokeless powder.

But since we never know just what powder the factories use in which loads , , ,
Reply With Quote