Decided it was time for a new updated loading manual as so many of mine don't even list many of the powders that had been introduced in the last 10 years.

I load shotgun, handgun and rifle, but more handgun than anything.

Recently was perusing the new Lyman #50 I just got, doing just a little comparison on handgun loads I've used (specifically 10mm at the time) and glancing at older manuals from various manufacturers.

I got the distinct impression that the new Lyman #50 is "reloading LITE".
I saw many, many listed 'max' loads that were fairly far below what I KNOW I've exceeded in the past with absolutely NO indications of excessive pressure. This was seen in several calibers.

And no, I do not own or run a ballistics lab and have no way of actually measuring pressure. Just a few decades of experience and observing the telltale signs that you may have pushed the envelope a bit.

Anyone else observe this or inject wisdom here?
Thanks!

__________________
Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Data varies from one source to the other because of all the changeable factors involved. That's one reason to rely on plenty of reputable sources for data to use for comparison purposes. Current paper data remains the best source but there is Internet data available, often from the same sources as published manuals, though it will often not be complete like the paper published data.

I've called powder and bullet companies, though not recently, and they have always been very helpful. At least one bullet manufacturer offered additional data that was not published in their manual.

Chronograph readings remains a pretty good rough method of determining if your loads are safe. Keep your velocities in line with or slightly below book numbers (taking into account barrel lengths) as a general safety rule.

Personally I don't believe any load data published is purposely "light" or "lawyered down". New, much better measuring techniques/equipment give better pressure measurements which may appear "light" but are more accurate. Manuals from different sources will differ, mainly because the identical components are not used (same manufacture but different lots) and different equipment is used. Just enough difference to appear in publications and often thought of as one testing is "cheating" or "lawyered down"...

I started loading in the fall of 1979. If I took a case and packed it full of 2400 and seated a bullet on top of it the fire is in an old revolver and blew the smitherines out of that gun. It would have been nobody's fault but mine!

Now there are thousands of under employed lawyers willing to sue anyone about anything and take 1/3 of the proceeds.

If you try to run a business of any sort, the Liability Insurance will eat almost all the prophets! So they keep putting out loading manuals to n increasing dumber and sue happy populace. They are trying to get by until "Tort Reform" and "Common Sense" come about!

Ivan

Please don't comment about anything political!

You're right on the "lawyer" bit but the conspiracy people are often resistant to fact and have little use for it if it's contrary to what they believe.

Look at many of the load manuals from thirty to sixty years ago. Some data was pressure tested but much was not. Many loads are far hotter than what is found in current manuals that are developed using modern equipment that is considerably more reliable and accurate than what was once available.

A very good example is the P.O. Ackley handloader series. While excellent books on many counts including reference, some of the published loads are incredible and would be potentially dangerous. However, the same could be said for other published manuals of that era as well.

Most people are happy just to have target and standard loads for their use.

Some like to push the envelope a little more and get into "NATO" spec's which will usually be safe in most of today's weapons.

When you need loads that reach the +P pressures , it helps that you have been loading a while and know and understand what is happening to your weapon, when shooting this type of ammo.
Nothing wrong with this ammo if it is being used with the weapons that were made and built to handle the higher pressures but there is always a chance that it is used in a non-+P designed weapon........
and this is why some loads are being reduced just enough, to keep all weapons safe, if the high pressure loads get to them.

As a re-loader, only you have control over the pressures that your loads produce. Some of us even roll "Major" pills to toss down range but how hot or the amount of pressures of your loads, is on your shoulders, and only you can decide how much powder to put in the case.
Manuals are a "Guide" to what they have learned.
Yes they state "Starting" & "Maximum" loads in their data but we all know that it was in "Their" weapon and not "Ours"........

Is a +P or fasted, higher pressure load, really needed ?

Maybe.