Loading manuals

[ZWCoffindaffer]

I have 3 or 4 manuals and I always reference Hodgdons data center online. What I want to know is why there are such huge variances between data. For instance, I just finished working up my first load of .45 Auto using Titegroup. Hodgdon listed it start at 5.0 and max at 5.5. Hornady listed it's start at 5.5 and max at 6.1. That's a huge difference with Titegroup! How could one manuals max be another's starting load? Hornady consistently has higher max loads than hodgdons data base. Then my nosler manual is sort of in the middle.

Anyone have logic behind this?

 

[cfullgraf]

Different labs, different test firearms, different weather conditions, different technicians, different lawyers, different phases of the moon, different powder lots, different primers, different management...

 

[bbqreloader]

I have noticed that too. Hodgon runs high for some while Lee is low, Hornady is in the middle. I think the previous post explains alot of it, different bullets, cases, shot scenerios. Best advice I ever got was pick the lowest and start working up from there. Has not failed me yet, and at most I learned what load will not cycle the slide but never blow it up

 

[Hondo 60]

If I'm using Titegroup, if the bullet is exactly the one they used, if ...

Seriously, I tend to go with the powder mfg - I do use a LOT of Titegroup.
But I start low, that way I know I'm not gonna blow up a gun.

My biggest issue is, I use my own cast lead, or sometimes I use plated.
Not a lot of data for plated bullets, but it's gettin better.

 

[Shootshellz]

I have found most manufacturers of plated bullets advise the use of cast bullet reloading data.

 

[Bronx kid]

I don't have any manuals in front of me but I would take a guess and say that they are using different OAL.

 

[Blue68f100]

I have noticed that Hornady seams to run higher than most other published data. I think its the use of their bullets, being slightly under size. And it could be the construction of materials used allowing them to push them harder. Or there test barrel/setup that allows this, only they know for sure.

I always start with the lower and work up.

 

[ZWCoffindaffer]

Yeah I suppose with so many variables its easy for one manu. to be able to push the limit a little farther when testing. I always use the lowest poublished data I can find when starting a new load which in most case is hodgdons website.

 

[Bart B.]

Read post #7 in:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=10134243&posted=1#post10134243

 

[gamestalker]

I try not to get too worked up about it. Instead, I just use one of the published start charges, and if possible I'll go with either the powder or bullet manufacturer, then work up until the load is shooting well.

Something else that's very important, is to closely inspect the data, making sure I'm using data that is applicable to the type of bullet, which in my case is always jacketed. Data that's for a coated bullet, plated, lead, or a solid bullet will almost always use a different table than jacketed uses.

GS

 

[spitballer]

Data that's for a coated bullet, plated, lead, or a solid bullet will almost always use a different table than jacketed uses..

Roger that, and jacket thickness makes a big difference too, I found that out. Thin-skinned varmint style bullets are almost like cast bullets, way different from jacketed ball or standard hunting rounds.

FWIW published data appears to be based on the first shot out of a clean, cool barrel. Subsequent shots will almost always be hotter (and often less accurate), which is why I tend to pay more attention to the starting loads when loading for group accuracy. Publishing data for the high end of the spectrum is, in the end, a judgment call and it's not surprising that there are minor differences of opinion there.

 

[horseman1]

Never mind, I think I found it. 185 GR. HDY JSWC OAL 1.135 is listed on both with Tightgroup.

 

[Henry45]

For 45/70, Hornady starts out at 39g and ends up around 45g. Hodgdon for the same bullet, starts at 47g and ends at 50g. With the same powder, IMR4198. That's a big difference.

 

[Bart B.]

First shot less accurate than subsequent ones? Never noticed that with good barrels at ranges up through 600 yards.

Reload data based on the first shot? Never heard of that. Bad idea. statistically speaking; it may be the extreme at either end of several.

I've noticed first shot from center fire rifle barrels leaving 10 to 15 fps slower than the average of the next few shots. Never a problem even if it went 1/5 MOA lower than the rest of a 10-shot string at long ranges.

 

[theleo]

For 45/70, Hornady starts out at 39g and ends up around 45g. Hodgdon for the same bullet, starts at 47g and ends at 50g. With the same powder, IMR4198. That's a big difference.

Did you make sure to see what level they were loading it to? The 45-70 has three different pressure levels that are recognized by most reloading references.

As to the op, I've always seen hodgdon as lawyer loads. On the light side of almost everyone else to ensure a gun doesn't get blown up using their data and they get sued.