Who do I believe? Hornady or Lyman?

[Shrinkmd]

I am looking at the two newest loading manuals from Lyman and Hornady for 45acp, and they show very different data:

Hornady 45acp 230 gr LRN Bullseye 4.6 gr - 5.7 gr MAX

Lyman 45acp 225 gr #2 alloy LRN Bullseye 4.0 gr - 5.0 gr MAX

I have previously heard that the 225 gr listed in Lyman IS a 230 gr once you factor in the lube.

So which is it? People recommend 5 gr bullseye to replicate factory hardball load, which is a mid range in Hornady's book and a max load for Lyman.

 

[243winxb]

Bullseye is a great lite to midrange powder. For maximum loads, it is not a good choice. IMO. Start low, work up.

 

[Quoheleth]

Cross-check with the Alliant/Bullseye website, just for shiggles.

I was told - on this forum - that the reason Hornady XTP jacketed bullets sometimes take different load data is that the base of the bullet is different - not flat, I assume - like most bullets. But I don't know why their lead bullets would be so different.

Q

 

[Remo-99]

Bullseye won't replicate a factory hardball round, with 230gr bullets, it's a little too fast. But does make good target loads in it.

btw, iirc 5.7gr of BE with 230 grainers would make a pretty hot load, a place ya wouldn't wanna go with fast powders and a heavy bullet, in a pistol.

BE makes good target loadings with 150-155gr,185gr and 200gr lead bullets also.

# lube weight should be considered as part of the projectile weight, anyways...

 

[Jim Watson]

If you read the rest of the line in Lyman, 5 grains of Bull and their 225 grain mould give 815 fps at only 14,400 CUP. I don't know why they stopped so far short of 18,000 CUP they go to with jacketed. Perhaps they were getting erratic pressures and applied the two standard deviation safety factor I have read about.

 

[Action_Can_Do]

The Lyman manual can be somewhat conservative in a lot of their data. That said, I always cross-reference.

 

[INSULATION TIM]

If you have to cross check everything, how good is the manual in the first palce?

 

[steve4102]

If you have to cross check everything, how good is the manual in the first palce?

Because load data is NOT a recipe. Only a set of guidelines. To many variables, lot numbers, weather, firearm/test barrel, weather, humidity, altitude etc.etc.etc.

 

[ljnowell]

Cross-check with the Alliant/Bullseye website, just for shiggles.

I was told - on this forum - that the reason Hornady XTP jacketed bullets sometimes take different load data is that the base of the bullet is different - not flat, I assume - like most bullets. But I don't know why their lead bullets would be so different.

Q

230gr XTPs have a flat base for sure.

 

[loadedround]

Remember that reloading manuals are just a guide and not exact formulas to follow. Everyone's components and or lot numbers of powder and primers may differ, the jacket material of different bullet manufacturer's bullets may differ also affecting pressure...loads in various manuals are what each company found to be the starting and maximum loads with THEIR tested components, therefore reloading manuals are not to be taken as absolute gospel, but just a starting reference point. Having said that, an experienced reloader will take a given starting load and work up until he reaches his maximum accuracy or pressure point. Use your manuals as a guide only.

 

[The Bushmaster]

You only have two manuals or sourses to check? You need more. I cross refference 6 different manuals and check the powder and bullet sites.

As far as which one to trust?...Both...I did not vote...

 

[Ol` Joe]

Hornady lists a swagged bullet and Lyman a cast. There are other differences in the bullets too I`m sure, hardness, bearing surface, ect. Each book is right as long as you stick with the components they used.
They are only a report of what they found with their components, test platform, and useing their lab techs and equipment. Your pistol or rifle will NOT be useing any of this and will show a difference just as theirs did.

 

[rcmodel]

Both are correct.

Lyman = Cast
Hornady = Swaged.

Lyman = Grease
Hornady = Dry lube.

Lyman = 5" SAAMI spec pressure test fixture.
Hornady = a Colt 1911 pistol.

Bullseye won't replicate a factory hardball round,

Yes, it actually will.

Just for the record, Bullseye was the standard powder used in GI 230 grain RN-FMJ ammo from it's inception in 1911, till at least WWII.

rc

 

[Shrinkmd]

Uh, maybe I should be more specific.

I am using Dardascastbullets.com bullets, which have a proprietary "non-sticky" lubricant. Which would make more sense then? The Hornady dry lube data?

 

[Ol` Joe]

I`d work up from the cast load data.