Handloads.org

[dashootist]

While searching recipe for 200 grain lead round nose 357 load for Blue Dot, I found one in handloads.org. How reliable is this website's data? It states 8.2 grain of Blue Dot for 357 Magnum as max load, and the site claims the source is Alliant. I can't find this particular recipe on Alliant's Reloader Guide. It doesn't have any recipe with bullet heavier than 170 grain.

 

[LiveLife]

I tell people to use the load data from Handloads.org/com with caution as I found them to deviate quite a bit from current published load data from powder manufacturers. Many loads they post are often near max or over max loads and some without OAL listed. To me, bullet type/OAL is just as critical information as powder charge used.

It is true that some older reloading manuals contained higher load data for the same powder, but I exercise caution in believing that if manufacturers lowered the charge data, it might be due to change in powder formulation (and not CYA driven by their legal counsel - that might be the case but I for one won't go against current published load data with current production powders).

Use it as a guide, but I would rely on current published load data from powder manufacturers.

If you can't find the load you are looking for, why not give Alliant a call?

 

[Hondo 60]

Sound advice!

 

[Jesse Heywood]

From Modern Reloading, 2nd Ed., Lee. pg 560

357 Magnum, 200 gr. Lead
Blue Dot 7.4 gr., 1124 fps; 8.2 gr., 1225 fps, 33,900 PSI, 1.575 min. OAL

Very possible that this data came from Alliant, as Lee uses a lot of manufacturer data for his book.

 

[dashootist]

Yep. The Handload.org recipe is exactly the same as Jesse's.

Thanks! I'll order that book right now.