Quick poll on starting and max loads

[Winger Ed.]

With some misgivings, I leave Winger Ed.'s post concerning the charge of 4198 powder unedited. Johnny

Thanks. I used to monitor a forum board myself. I know how difficult it can be, and often puzzeled over posts that I called 'head scratchers' too.

I tell that story every few years or so. I run it as a 'don't make the same mistake I did' kind of thing with all the details. I do it to plant the seed of caution, and hopefully speed up the learning curve while avoiding pitfalls that I went off into during my early days, for the benifit of others that appear rather new to reloading.

Ed.

 

[qajaq59]

Hot loads

I don't ever recall my fastest load being the most accurate and if I can't hit it, then it wont make a whole lot of difference how fast that bullet is going.

Plus I got screwed. I was only born with 2 eyes and ten fingers instead of double that.......... so I need them all. Stay under the max. It just hurts less.

 

[USSR]

First, no reloading manual lists an absolute maximum charge. To do so would put a shooter at risk should he substitute, say, a cartridge case with a reduced capacity such as LC Match for a Winchester case that was used in the load listed in the reloading book. All reloading manuals are vetted by the company's lawyers to cover their @ss, and are well below anything that could cause a firearm to come unglued. That being said, if you are inexperienced and not cognizant of high pressure signs, you are best off staying within the listed starting loads and maximum recommended loads.

Don

 

[newfalguy101]

First of all, I generally start in the middle of the road for load data and rarely if ever go over the listed max.

I dont have a chronograph or acess to a strain guage ( probably the best way to determine the real pressure of the load) so I just go by the poor mans guide to over pressure loads and have been thus far very happy with the results.

I am also not of the speed demon or minute of mouse crowds, so I dont feel the need to go above listed max's to achieve "what might be" ( no flame to those who are, I just am not )

I have seen a couple of posters reference the fact that the load companies dont publish the absolute max loads possible for a variety of reasons, and you are correct, but I havent seen the following reason mentioned:

the loads listed need to be safe in EVERY SAMMI spec chamber cut for those listed loads, including the guns that are 100 years old or older (unless specified otherwise)

One other point, Hornady ( other may also, but i dont know) uses actual guns to work up their lods and NOT pressure barrels, which I think adds credibility to their data as being achievable.