Loading bullets without specific load manuals

[SquirrelNuts]

I bought some 150 gr .308 Remington Core-Lokt bullets from Cabelas to load in .30-06 for punching holes in paper. I searched Remington's website and I can't find any load data for them. So far in my short reloading career, I have purchased the loading manual published by the manufacturer of the bullets I have loaded. I understand that even identical weight bullets of very similar design can run on different loads. What loading data do I use for these since I can't find any specifically from the manufacturer? I will be using Varget in new Remington brass with CCI primers. If I search the Lee manual, it recommends 47.0 grains of Varget for a 150 grain jacketed bullet with an OAL of 3.250". Oddly enough, this is EXACTLY the load I use for Nosler 150 gn. Ballistic Tips, which I got from Nosler for Varget.

-SquirrelNuts

 

[jeepmor]

Pertinent load data will apply just fine. Start in the middle somewhere and work up. In my experience, the most accurate load isn't usually at the top end anyway.

jeepmor

 

[ranger335v]

Your rifle is the most important "component" in your shooting, vastly more critical than any bullet makers designated components. And your's is different from their's. So, unless you reload for their rifle all that detailed load info is only a suggestion you must apply with some understanding of what you are doing anyway.

 

[dardascastbullets]

I recommend that you purchase a Lyman Reloading Manual #49. You will find all of your information in that text. Adhere to the information and you will be just fine.

 

[Steve C]

Look up data using your powder and bullet weight in any manual or free on line source. Start at the "Start Load" or 10% reduction from maximum NOT in the "middle" of anything unless you are experienced enough to make a rational judgment based on using the lowest recommended charge weights from several data sources.

 

[ranger335v]

"Start at the "Start Load" or 10% reduction from maximum NOT in the "middle" of anything..."

Roger that! I recently met a man who was blowing primers with a book "mid-range" Varget load in a Winchester 22-250.

 

[Sunray]

Load for the bullet weight. Who made them or their construction, except for Barnes bullets(they're solid copper and fly differently), doesn't matter.
Definitely work up from the Starting load given in your manual.

 

[something vague]

Their construction absolutely does matter! Different manufacturers of the same weight bullets can have lots of variances in design. One of the biggest factors being the different sizes in the contacting surfaces of the bullet to barrel, which i'm sure is odvious (spelling?) to most of us who have reloaded more than one brand of bullet. Probably why ranger335v's buddy blew his primer out in a middle load for the 22-250.

My advise would be to find data as similar as possible to the bullet you plan to load for and start at the min, maybe slightly less, and work up slowly paying close attention to pressure signs and velocity until you find the right load for that bullet. Which is what we all do anyway, but maybe not start so low with data that we have for that exact bullet. Never assume anything is safe and please don't listen to the advise of starting at the middle of the load range when you don't even have the right manufacture of bullet in the data. Good luck and stay safe. BTW, you'd have to go quite a bit below min before you run into a stuck bullet in the bore so don't let that bother you. Just pay attention to things.

 

[Horsemany]

I have to agree with others here. If you're loading 150grain bullets. Use a load for a similar 150gr. bullet but start at the minimum or even a grain less than minimum powder charge. Every time I try a new bullet I'll have a few very light powder charged loads working my way up to where I think my rifle will shoot best.

Example.

If I'm trying a new load that ranges in powder charge from minimum 50gr. powder to Max.54gr. powder, I'll load on at 49.5, 50.5, 51.5 and the majority of what I've loaded will be 52grains of powder. Shoot the lows first checking primers on each fired case for pressure signs.