One point I can't figure out, HELP !!

[dds51968]

I've been looking in my Lymans 49th and Lee reloading manuals as well as various manufacturer sights for powders and bullets, so here is the problem.

I do not plan to use the bullet brand's listed in these manuals for a given recipe, more likely it will be Zero or Montana Gold or Precision Delta(Opinions welcome) so the jist of it is.... What data will I use for their .45 acp 230gr and 9mm luger 115gr, both are going to be round nose, target shooting only. Are they pimping the name brand for specific reasons or can you use the same data?
ex 115 gr rn Speer recipe with a given powder and use the Montana gold 115 gr rn in its place ?

Thanks in advance, this plus not having all components yet are all that's keeping me from reloading.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Welcome to the forum.

The loading manuals from Lyman and Lee aren't "pimping" any one brand of bullet. There are so many different bullets, they couldn't possibly test them all, since it takes a whole truck load of time to just test one bullet in one caliber. You wouldn't believe how much time they devote to this.

In the case of Lyman, they pick a bullet that they feel is in common usage and work up the various loads for that bullet. They could spend weeks on just that one bullet and caliber.

In Lee's case, they just copy load data from other sources, not having their own ballistics lab, as far as I know.

You can use other bullets that are the same weight and profile, but start low and work up your loads. It's important to try to match the weight and bearing surface to the listed bullet, since the friction of the bullet travelling down the bore has a direct bearing on the amount of pressure developed. Once you do your load workup, then you've got the load for "your" bullet.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Walkalong]

Yes. Welcome. And Fred gave great advise.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Go Fred Go!!!

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

Fred summed it up very well.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

Fred,

I think someone needs to make a reloading TV show and call it, "Pimp My Cartridge."

 

[loneviking]

Maybe Fred can help me out with a question. How do you evaluate your loads when used in a semi-auto? I've been reloading for revolvers, and you check to see how easily they eject; you check the primer pockets; look for case deformities, etc. But how do you check on a semi-auto other than looking at the brass and seeing how tight your patterns are?

 

[jpwilly]

What I do is use the starting load for a given weight bullet and go from there. I've found for the most part my results duplicat the load data.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

You can always examine your brass from a semi-auto too, you just have to collect it. You can look for pressure signs and mic the case.

 

[ReloaderFred]

Any case will give you indications of high pressure, if you know what to look for. The condition of primers are one indication, but can also give false indications of high pressure, so don't rely on them alone. Case expansion is another area to watch. Look at the headstamps and see if the base of the case is being flattened, or extractor marks are present. The pressure drives the case back against the bolt face and the amount of pressure will determine how flattened or battered it will be.

There are some actions that will give false indications of high pressure, due to the nature of the action itself. A delayed roller back action will sometimes give high pressure indications, but really isn't the case.

Minus a full blown ballistics lab, which very few of us have access to, the best way to measure pressure is to use known data and measure the results over a chronograph. If the data gives velocity close to what's published, then you'll also be close on the pressure, in most cases.

In some cases, I know when a load is high pressure, but it's easier to see than tell about it, at least for me. It's just something you learn to watch for over the years, like when you know your kid is about to do something they shouldn't, but haven't actually told you they were going to. You just know.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Sunray]

Load for the bullet weight. Who made it doesn't matter. However, if you ever want to try an SWC out of your .45, it needs to be set up to feed them reliably. It's not a big expensive deal. The feed ramp needs to be extended about half way up the sides of the chamber. No rotary tools(Dremel). Fine jeweller's files only. Have it done by a smithy if you're in the least bit concerned about doing it yourself.
A cast 230 grain RN with 4.5 grains of Bullseye shoots extremely well out of my Colt. 3.5 grains of Bullseye is ok for a 121 grain cast 9mm. Haven't used a 115 grain or gotten serious about working up a load for my Inglis Highpower. The sight are poor. You'll have to work up the load for your pistol though.
Like ReloaderFred says, no loading manual will ever have loads for every bullet made. Powder and bullet makers books give data for their products only.
The Lyman book has more loads using more bullet weights and powders than any powder and bullet makers book. It's extremely versatile. The Lyman Pistol and Revolver book does give data for specific maker's bullets, but you still load for the bullet weight.
"...How do you evaluate your loads when used in a semi-auto?..." Feeding and accuracy. Use the chamber as a case guage. A cartridge has to fit in the chamber and the mag to feed properly. If it doesn't, you won't know if the load is accurate.