Is Alliant Powder Co. being too cautious?

[willymc]

I want to load some 95gr jacketed bullets for my .380 using Bullseye. My Speer manual (#10) only had loads for 88gr (3 gr. to start and 3.2gr max) and loads for 100gr (2.6gr to start and 2.8gr max). I figured the 95gr jacketed would be somewhere in between. While waiting for my Speer # 14 to be delivered, I emailed Alliant Powder and asked them what they recommended. I was surprised when they got back to me with their data. They said to start with 2 grains of Bullseye and work up to a maximum of 2.6 grains. Are they being overly cautious?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Alliant uses Speer data...I bet your manual will say the same thing when you get it.

 

[willymc]

I don't know. On this forum, geocole stated that his Speer book showed 3.0-3.3gr Bullseye for a 95gr RN FMJ .380 load.

 

[buck460XVR]

My Speer #14 shows 3 to 3.3 gr of Bullseye with a 95 gr. TMJ RN. Almost the exact charge as a 90gr GDHP.

 

[willymc]

Thanks, buck460xvr. That sounds more reasonable. looks like Alliant powder customer service was being a bit too cautious.

 

[rondog]

Of course they're being cautious. Companies like that have teams of expensive lawyers to cover their asses that demand caution like that. There's NFW they're going to risk a lawsuit from somebody that was hurt by a "recommended" load. Even their published max. loads are still going to be as safe as possible. Sure, they care about you, but they care about themselves first.

 

[Steve C]

Alliants 2000 edition reloading guide lists 3.2grs of Bullseye with a 95gr FMJ as maximum. The reloader was expected to calculate their own start load at a 10% reduction or 2.9grs.

 

[Runningman]

According to my old notes 3.2 grains of Bullseye using winchester cases with a 95 grain Sierra gave 978 FPS out of a Sig P230. That load of 3.2 also holds the record for the worst groups ever fired out of the P230 at 6"+ @ 25 yards. Most of my groups were around 2.5" - 3.5" range shooting off a rest in that P230. I also noted hot load next to the 3.2 grains.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Like I've said for years now, it's a shame we are being cheated on the full potential of the calibers we are choosing to shoot. It's not the companies or the lawyers who are at fault, it's all those who make a mistake and them blame everyone but themselves.