User provided handloading sites?

[dalepres]

What do you all think of web sites where users upload their own load data? Would you ever follow the recommendation of some unknown person just because they had uploaded it to the Internet?

I have been looking for CAS .357 rifle loads and a lot of searches yield a few different sites like that so now I am curious if any knowledgeable reloader would ever use those sites.

 

[Sunray]

"...Would you ever..." Nope. They do give you an idea about powders used, but a proper manual or manufacturer's on-line data is the way to go. Loads that shoot well out of my firearems won't necessarily shoot well out of your's.
Alliant does have CAS loads(I'd use .38 Special data in .357 cases.) on their site. Down for maintenance at the moment though. They're saying a week!

 

[DWARREN123]

I only use the data from powder/bullet companies, not an individuals.

 

[waverace]

I have used loads from those sites but only after exhaustive cross referencing from other sources , basicly use common sense , 15 grains of bullseye in a 45 long colt from mcexplodagun might just set the bells a ringin

 

[Texastbird]

They serve a purpose of suggesting loads for an intended purpose. I always double check with the powder manufacturer website and stay within that data. Someone's pet load may give me a good headstart on finding one that works for me.

 

[qajaq59]

It would be ok to get an idea of what powder may work well in a certain caliber, but would I use it for a starter load? Absolutely NOT.
If you want safety and accuracy just get used to the idea that you must work up your own loads specific to your own rifle. There really aren't any short cuts.

 

[depoloni]

I consider it reference material. I LIKE the data on "upload sites" like ammoguide.com, for instance, because while I NEVER trust the user data 100% and NEVER use it as the basis for starting a load, it does provide an often useful reference to see what people got out of their "real guns" per se.

It's not gospel, you can't trust someone you don't know unless you're a bad judge of character (judge what?). I do find it helpful to compare what chronograph results I'm getting versus someone else, or get an idea what to possibly expect if I switch to a longer barrel length someone may have used, etc. They're "take it for what it's worth" resources, which on one hand isn't a lot. But on the other hand can be very handy for cross referencing. Hope this helps.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

loaddata.com

Yes I use it...VERY CAREFULLY.

 

[Clark]

Why use someone else's load?
If you want to follow a recipe, use a load book.

I like the Quickload program.
Once the threshold of primer pocket looseness with a bulk powder has been found for one load, accurate predictions can be made about the threshold in other cartridges.

 

[ants]

Unfortunately, I can't ignore the fact that some people on these forums and reloading sites don't even reload. Perhaps they get lonely at home, and start regurgitating stuff they read somewhere else. Or maybe make it up. I don't know.

I remember before the internet when we stood around at gun shops, talking about shooting and reloading. There always were idiots who shared advice about things they had never done themselves. Today they're on the internet, so I guess it's not the internet's fault because there always were liars who fabricate facts. God help you if you actually use their reloading data in your guns.