Reloading Manuals Question

[mdThanatos]

I have done some reloading with a friend of mine but since I have moved away I am looking at starting my own setup. I figured that it would be best to get some reloading manuals of my own and picked up the Lyman 49th and the Hornady 9th. I might pick up a couple of more based on a quick perusing of some calibers in each book and finding some interesting differences. With that said I just have the manuals and no equipment yet as I am slowly building up as funds become available.

A quick example of the differences is, in the Lyman it states for .45 acp 230 gr bullet, a starting load is 6.4 gr of Power Pistol and max is 7.2 but in the Hornady it shows starting at 5.5 and max of 7.1. Also each book shows different velocities with their respective loads that don't match up.

So here is my question, when you come across something like this what do you do? If I were set up to reload right now I am leaning toward going with the Hornady info minus 10% and working up development loads but would it be wrong to go with the Lyman data minus 10% and working up? What about taking the average of the two or would that be a mistake?

 

[cfullgraf]

There are a "bazillion" reasons why the data varies from source to source. Each set of data is correct for the company and components that generated it.

If data gives a minimum and maximum, no need to go below the minimum. If fact, with some powders, this can be dangerous.

Start at the minimum and work up until you get the performance desired within the limits of the data and any indications of excessive pressure. If you change components from those listed in the data, approach higher charge levels carefully.

Hope this helps.

 

[rcmodel]

would that be a mistake?

Yes, it would be a mistake to reduce the suggested starting load another 10%.

Use the published starting load exactly as it is published.

The difference in the two manuals is.
Lyman used a Speer 230 TMJ Round Nose bullet.
And Hornady used a Hornady bullet, which was probably a truncated cone shape with more bearing surface.

Not to mention, Hornady data is notoriously lower then most other data.

rc

 

[mdThanatos]

Thanks, that helps out.

 

[oneounceload]

What does the powder maker website say?

 

[mdThanatos]

8.1 gr, so even higher than both manuals max load data.

 

[scottishkat]

I have shot the data indicated on the Hogdon website without problem. The data in the hornaday manuals is very light from my experience. The nosler manual has no data for power pistol and 230 gr. 8.5gr for 185gr bullets. I find all the manuals are worked on by lawyers the nosler is about the best out there. I reload for the 257 wby and note that the hornaday manual end where the hogdon web site data begins. Just watch for pressure signs when near max loads are used go up .5 or less. I find when testing near max you can weight sort cases and use the light ones for loads near max.

Good Luck

 

[Slamfire]

Loading manuals are a guide, the one I trust the most has been the Lyman. When I load and compare my data, Lyman is consistently closer to my velocities and results than any other manual. Their powder recommendations mirror my experiences.

The one I trust least are the Accurate Arms manuals. Accurate Arms data is amazingly inconsistent and all over the place if you examine the data they have put out over the years. I have blown rifle primers with starting loads, with pistol maximum loads, my velocities were hundreds of feet per second less than what they recorded. When developing loads with Accurate Arms powders, I use what Lyman recommends, or I have used loads recommended on the web.

 

[918v]

I would go with 4.6grs of Bullseye. It is more accurate.

 

[HOWARD J]

Hornadys New Manual-
9MM w/ 115 gr bullet
Their starting load for 231 will stovepipe my Glock 26

 

[PJSprog]

I've always used the Lee manual with no issues (20+ years now). I also started several years ago cross-referencing any data with that on Hodgdon's cite. If there is ever a difference, I always err on the side caution.

rcmodel's explanation is dead-on. Be sure you're using the right data for the right components.

... and I'm quite happy using HP-38 in my .45ACP loads.

 

[Comrade Mike]

The new lee manual is almost identical to the hodgon site. Lee is also notoriously light on most cartridges.

 

[bubbinator]

Best advice is start somewhere below that max load posted( % based on your goal) and work up to where you get what you want or don't want. I have manuals from the 70s to today and most have all gone lower in charges with the same powders over the years. Lawyer crap!

 

[918v]

U know, there is a big difference between FMJ RN and FMJ TC and JHP bullet profiles in terms of seating depth and usable case volume. TC and JHP bullets are seated deeper than RN and need a lighter powder charge. U should keep that in mind when comparing loads in different manuals. Also, whenever a manual shows the same data r TC and RN bullets, the data defers to the TC seated to the shortest usable OAL. So don't load 230gr TC bullets to 1.200" OAL using RN data developed for 1.275" OAL.

 

[Hondo 60]

Are they using the EXACT same bullet?
The exact same length of pressure barrel?

If not that will certainly account for variences.

If I'm using Hornady bullets, I'll defer to their data.
If I'm using some other brand, I'd look at Lyman's but more than likely check the powder mfg's website & use their data