Some manuals list loads for specific bullet manufacturers exclusively. My question is if a powder charge is listed for lets say a 185 gr Sierra, can the same charge be used for a 185 gr Hornady, when the bullet 'types' are different shapes. I'm not comparing lead to jacketed. I mean SW to TC to FP etc. all bearing material otherwise being equal. I also don't mean the equivilant performance like MV, ME or trajectory. I would just want to know that a safe starting load would be safe.
Are all bullets equal ref powder charge
- Thread starter PDL
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Dale53
Member
The most important thing for "full loads" is the seating depth. Seating a bullet deeper than a similar bullet will raise pressures (sometimes, considerably) as it increases the loading density.
If the seating depth is close, then I wouldn't worry about the difference, generally.
However, if the bullets are made differently, then it CAN matter (as a for instance, the difference between a typical jacketed bullet with a lead core and a solid brass or bronze bullet can be substantial). These major differences are more often encountered in rifle ammunition than in pistol or revolver ammunition.
FWIW
Dale53
If the seating depth is close, then I wouldn't worry about the difference, generally.
However, if the bullets are made differently, then it CAN matter (as a for instance, the difference between a typical jacketed bullet with a lead core and a solid brass or bronze bullet can be substantial). These major differences are more often encountered in rifle ammunition than in pistol or revolver ammunition.
FWIW
Dale53
11e40
Member
they are different ! i always use loads from the bullet manufacturer. always start on the low end & work your way up. sometimes you can switch bullet types & are ok, sometimes not so.
Seating depth (powder space encroachment), bearing surface, weight and bullet construction/material all have some influence........but GENERALLY reducing max loads for a given weight by 10% will give a safe starting load for other same weight bullets provided powder space encroachment is the same or less.
I don't load to max. I'm just reloading for targets or plinking mostly. It's been 20 years since the first/last batch I did and I've educated myself somewhat more since then. I'd rather ask first then do the loading. So are you suggesting that if the bullets seat to the same depth, that is one difference I can eliminate from my worries? The bearing surfaces being close would also be a positive.
What is the best way, reasonablly, to be able to gauge, excess. I understand following the manual and backing off max loads. ;I don't mean the usual suspects of split cases and flat primers. Does a Chrono give you that much more useful info.
Usually, I'd find something that works and stick with it. But in these days of shortages etc. I'd like to know what substitutions work and what doesn't.
Thanks for the replies so far.
Pete.
What is the best way, reasonablly, to be able to gauge, excess. I understand following the manual and backing off max loads. ;I don't mean the usual suspects of split cases and flat primers. Does a Chrono give you that much more useful info.
Usually, I'd find something that works and stick with it. But in these days of shortages etc. I'd like to know what substitutions work and what doesn't.
Thanks for the replies so far.
Pete.
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PDL, Yes seating to the same depth (or less) is good-Deeper seating can increase pressures so eliminating that helps. Similar bearing surface eliminates another variable. We are talking same weight so that is a non variable-------so you have reduced variables down to the differences in jacket and lead hardnes (usually minor) and things like nose shape(which if bearing length is the same seems to have no appreciable difference in INTERNAL ballistics). You are good to go with the standard-"Reduce max charge weights by 10% when substituting any component"
Respect the caveats about reducing charges of certain powders such as H110/Win 296 of course.
Respect the caveats about reducing charges of certain powders such as H110/Win 296 of course.
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There have been several good points brought up here already, so I would just add this-
The Hodgdon manual #26 doesn't differentiate between different styles or brands of bullets with a given load, other than jacketed vs. non jacketed.
They simply say for example- X grains of Y powder, with a 250 grain lead bullet will give Z velocity in a certain length barrel. So it would appear that it is safe to use their data with any bullet that is of similar construction (lead vs. lead, or jacketed vs. jacketed) and of the same weight as that listed in their data. Their loads show pressures developed too.
Steve C
Member
Loading manuals are guides not cook books. There are too many variables that affect pressures to provide you with an exact recipe for a particular load to give the best accuracy and velocity. This is why every manual says to start at the start level listed or a 10% reduction from maximum for those not mathematically challenged.
The bullet manufacturers data is usually the best for producing successful reloads with their bullet. Generally I review several sources of data to determine what is a reasonable conservative load I will start with if I don't have data from the bullet manufacturer, otherwise I use the data for the particular bullet from the bullets manufacturer.
Every component of the load and the gun can affect the pressure and safety of the load and specially the accuracy. Once you have "the load" that fills your objective for the components you are using you are good to go untill you change one of them.
The bullet manufacturers data is usually the best for producing successful reloads with their bullet. Generally I review several sources of data to determine what is a reasonable conservative load I will start with if I don't have data from the bullet manufacturer, otherwise I use the data for the particular bullet from the bullets manufacturer.
Every component of the load and the gun can affect the pressure and safety of the load and specially the accuracy. Once you have "the load" that fills your objective for the components you are using you are good to go untill you change one of them.
Once again, thanks all for the responses.
I find that the best way to get the answers is to ask the questions. And with something as potentially damaging as reloading, it pays to do the research before pulling the trigger.
Thanks,
Pete.
I find that the best way to get the answers is to ask the questions. And with something as potentially damaging as reloading, it pays to do the research before pulling the trigger.
Thanks,
Pete.
I don't think it is possible to improve on how Steve C. has stated the situation! Excellent advice.
I can't fault what's been said. That was my aim, to determine what are some of the factors that determine the resonableness of the loads we make. Safety is my main concern, performance comes later. Self and home defense require other consideration.
Again, thanks to all.
Pete
Again, thanks to all.
Pete
