Different bullet, same weight in grains...use same powder charge?

[hokeyplyr48]

I have a load that uses 24.5 grains of H335 behind a 55 grain VMax bullet which works great in my bolt. I want to get some just plain plinking ammo and all I've found are 62 grain bullets:
http://www.shop.rmrbullets.com/product.sc?productId=5&categoryId=7
I'm wondering if I can use the same charge for these bullets. Does the weight determine the charge or does the ballistic coefficient?

 

[ny32182]

Eh... 55 does not equal 62; you probably wouldn't blow your gun up, but I would re-develop the load, personally.

 

[Walkalong]

Does the weight determine the charge or does the ballistic coefficient?

Weight, jacket thickness, etc.

I'm wondering if I can use the same charge for these bullets

No. Got load books?

 

[JDGray]

I run 60gr bullets with 24gr H335, very accurate out of my AR15 20" SS 1-8 twist. Not a max load or even close

 

[hokeyplyr48]

Which 60 grain bullets are you using JDGray?

Also, if I were to get 55gr HPBT could I use the same 24.5gr? Anyone have any experience with these?

 

[ljnowell]

Something else to remember, if it plays in is bearing surface of the bullet. You can have two identical weight bullets with different bearing surfaces, one of them safe at a certain charge and another one not. Its always best to start over and work up a load.

 

[JDGray]

Which 60 grain bullets are you using JDGray?

Sierra 60gr Varminters

Theres nothing special about 24.5gr H335. Your gonna want to start over, and work back up like the others have stated, and definately are gonna want a few load manuals.

 

[JDGray]

After clicking on your link, those bullets appear to have an open bottom. Not the best for accuracy, but ok for plinking. Reminds me of some bulk Win 55gr FMJ bullets I once bought, shot a hundred or so, and sold them. Hornady has some good plinking 55gr FMJs, at least they'll be somewhat accurate. My Sierra load above will do .500" at 100yrds, same load with the bulk Win 55gr bullets did 3" at 60yrds

 

[hokeyplyr48]

Do you have a link to those bullets?

 

[JDGray]

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

May have to scroll around

 

[hokeyplyr48]

Well I found some hornady 55gr HPBT for 100/$10 so I think I'll go with those since they sound like what you're talking about.

Do you necessarily have to crimp into the cannelure?

 

[JDGray]

If it has one, I use them, but its not necessary

 

[hokeyplyr48]

So it won't cause a problem if you don't crimp into a cannelure. The tension will hold it just fine?

 

[rcmodel]

What you shoot them in might determine whether or not you need to crimp them.

An AR-15 that doesn't feed right might need to be crimped to prevent bullet set-back.
A bolt-action or single-shot would never need to be crimped.

You really should buy a reloading manual and read it a couple of times though!

rc

 

[ants]

A good education waits in books and manuals, friend.

Even if your 24.5g load is accurate with 55g bullets in your rifle, doubtful it will be accurate with a different 62g bullet. In fact, I bet you lunch that the 62g will be all over the paper. A whole different harmonic is likely to happen all the way down that barrel.

For safety, work up your load. For happiness, work up your load. For smartness, get your book and read it.
The books won't lie. But sometimes we will. Ya just can't trust us...

 

[ranger335v]

"..wondering if I can use the same charge for these bullets. Does the weight determine the charge or does the ballistic coefficient?"

No load cares what the B.C. is until the bullet is well down range. Loads care very much what the bullet weight is, any loading manual's data reflects that reality. ??