Loading for different guns

[32_d3gr33s]

Currently I load for a variety of different calibers, all of which i only own 1 gun in each caliber. I just recently built an AR for my wife to go along with my AR. My dad also wants me to reload 9mm for his gun (to which i told him he pays for components, he can come over and ill help him reload his own).

My question is this: do you re-work loads for different guns in the same caliber? I shoot an M&P 9c, and my dad has a M&P Shield. Would it be wise to try the same rounds i load, in his gun? or should we start from scratch? What about in AR's? Some parts of the AR's are the same, but others are not (ie different bolt carriers)

 

[BluewaterLa]

I load 9mm and 223/556 for ar platforms as well.
I use the same ammo in a few different name brand weapons.
Even close friends that trust me and my quality control enjoy the ammo I produce for said rounds. I have not seen any difference in my rounds in any gun that is modern or in good working condition.
If you trust your methods take your dads gun to the range and try some out.
I would only do this if said gun was new, well made and in good condition.

 

[Sport45]

I'm not a real serious target shooter, so I load the same for multiple guns that use the same cartridge. (Rifle or Handgun)

I do load SWC for my 1911's and LRN or FMJ for the XD45, but only because the XD chokes on the former.

 

[BluewaterLa]

If his weapon is older or may be suspected to have an issue I would definitely work up a load starting low and work up to find the sweet spot with it. Also assuming that your ammo will function and feed in his pistol. Hope this helps.
The ar I wouldn't worry about unless one has tighter tolerances than the other as in match chamber
Or 223 only. All the ar s I load for are 556

 

[kcofohio]

Deleted

 

[rayatphonix]

I have two bolt action rifles in 308, a Remington 700 and Tikka M595. The load for the Remington does not work for the Tikka. Perhaps its related to twist rate? I don't know... I'm in the process of working up a separate load and ended up starting from scratch. I tried slightly above and below what worked in the Remy with little success.

 

[cfullgraf]

With handguns, my loads are not near maximum and I tend to not check them in a new firearm.

But, I have a couple instances where I thought a load was too stout for a particular gun and made adjustment accordingly.

For rifle, I tend to do more pressure checking with established loads and new rifles. Of course, many rifles like different loads anyway.

i have made blasting ammunition for my AR-15 and M1 Garands that are safe in just about any of those rifles.

 

[Reloadron]

My question is this: do you re-work loads for different guns in the same caliber?

Yes, to a point especially true in my rifle loadings with a focus on 223, 308 and 30-06. Looking at 223 for example I have a few AR 15 rifles with a 1:7 twist and then my 223 bolt gun with a 1:12 twist. I have yet to find a good compromise between the AR rifles and my bolt gun in 223. In 308 I load for a bolt gun, M1A and my AR10. While finding a good compromise isn't a problem when I want really good accurate ammunition I load for what experience has shown me works well in a specific rifle. However, for general shooting 308 several loadings work well across the board and the same is true of 30-06 in my Garand and bolt 30-06 guns.

Years ago I would taylor my handgun loads but not really much anymore. I shoot primarily 45 ACP and don't see enough difference between guns to worry much about it anymore.

Ron

 

[divad]

I work up a load for each weapon individually, then compare them and decide if I need two loads or if there's a good compromise load. Sometimes there's a good compromise, sometimes not. My 65g sierra gameking load shoots about the same in all of my ARs. A 50g hornady z-max load in the same rifles is all over the place - some excellent, some not. I have two different loads there.
All of them work, and if it came to it I would not hesitate to shoot any round in any weapon chambered for it that I have. There are just varying degrees of accuracy.

 

[gandog56]

For absolute accuracy, yes you should work up separate loads. But you can always start a baseline to improve from with a load you developed for another gun.

 

[Blue68f100]

For rifles it may be beneficial. For handgun all depends on the gun and weather your shooting max loads. If your shooting max you need to work up the load. If your shooting lead you will be better off doing so if the bores are not the same size. In most cases if your shooting middle of the road it makes no difference. But you may have to change the AOL so it works in multiple guns. I have 1 45 that likes a shorter length than the other. The same with my 9's. So I load for the shorter length and it works in both.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Thanks for the info. I have a feeling that my rounds will work in his gun, but I just wanted to make sure it was a safe idea to try. I will probably just do a plunk test to make sure they fit next time we shoot. If they do then I'll definitely have to try shooting them. I would assume performance should be very similar considering the guns are very very similar. I am at a lower/midrange charge weight so I should be safe with that as a trial. As for the AR's, both are same barrel twist and length, so I guess my rounds should be just fine. Thanks again for your thoughts!

 

[dickttx]

I worked up my 45 ACP load for a Colt Rail Gun. I have since added a Commander, a Ruger 1911COM, a CCO and an Officers ACP. Same load works in all of them.
Also, the same .38 Super load in a 9mm Commander with a 38 Super barrel and a Talo LW Commander.
If I ever acquire one that my regular loads don't work in I presume I would work up a new load--or, get rid of the gun.