[reloadn]

I am trying to load some hornady 55gr vmax using varget powder. My hornady manual calls for a starting load of 30.8 and a max of 34.6. Hodgdon calls for a starting load of 34 and a max of 36.5. This seems like quite an extreme spread. So which is it.

[Historian]

What caliber?

[NVMM]

Please state what you are reloading for???
In any case, Start Low and work up.

[dwave]

Can't say, you didn't give us much to work with.

What caliber?
Did both of them use the same C.O.L.? Maybe one seated deeper?
Did they use different primers?

[Ol` Joe]

I`m guessing the 22-250?

Could it be Hornady developed their data with their bullet and Hodgdon used a Speer/Sierra to develope theirs?? Maybe tested in a different gun and used a different lot of Varget?
Just guessin` again........

[rcmodel]

Well, I'm gonna guess you are talking about the 22-250, since both the Hornady & Hodgdon data you listed match up for it.

The thing is, reloading data is all about the little details.
One detail you seem to have over-looked is Hornady data is for the 55 grain V-Max you are using.

But the Hodgdon data is for the 55 grain Speer Soft Point!

That bullet is a spitzer shape, and the V-Max is a secant ogive.
That probably translates to a longer bearing surface on the V-Max, and more bore friction.

Bottom line?
Different bullet = different data!

rc

[reloadn]

sorry 22-250

[dwave]

rcmodel has it there. They are not using the same bullets. Different bullets = different data.

Under the 22-250 Hodgdon does have a 60 gr. V-max listed:

60 GR. HDY V-MAX Hodgdon Varget .224" 2.350" 33.0 gr.(min) 3318(FPS) 52,200 PSI 35.8 gr. (max) 3503(FPS) 60,400 PSI