Creating Load Recipes

[cwbys4evr]

I have a recipe I really like a lot with the Nosler 135 grain 40 S/W round. Trouble is I had 150 grain coming to me before I found out the 135 was so good. I'm using Bullseye powder.

I checked the Nosler manual and the Alliant powder website and neither one has a combination of a 150 grain bullet with Bullseye powder.

I checked for similar bullets and loads, and as near as I can figure I should probably be using 5.6 as a starting load for a max of 6.2 grains. This was derived using what I thought was a similar powder, at least from comparing the 135 grain recipe powders, and also comparing a Bullseye 155 grain recipe.

Question is, would it be safe to do that in the absence of an actual published recipe? The original Bullseye 135 grain combo was 5.4-6.4 with a 6.1 working the best.

 

[gamestalker]

The easiest way to know you are within a safe charge range, is find another 150 gr. jacketed bullet Bullseye combination to use as a guideline. 155 gr. data will work also, just don't jump into a max charge without working up incrementally and you'll be just fine. I found a max charge of 6.7 with Bullseye from Alliant using 150 gr JHP's. I would just reduce that charge 10%, or approx. 6.0 grs. as a start, and then work up from there.

BTW, I just did the same exact thing, right after I bought my 135's, I stumbled on a bunch of 150's, which I prefer.

GS

 

[cwbys4evr]

Lol maybe we should trade then. I just bought a box of 250 of 150 grain. How many 135 you got?

 

[41wheelgun]

Layman 49th has a 150gr Serria jhp load using Bullseye, starting load of 4.9gr-5.7gr max if that helps, also I have a old Hercules complimentary reloaders guide, 1995, which has a max load of 6.7gr of bullseye for a 150gr jhp, but you will have to reduce 10% for your starting load. Of course use the latter with caution.

 

[cwbys4evr]

Actually that does help. I had figured 5.6 to start but I think I will load 5 rounds apiece at 5.4 and 5.5 grains. Thanks

 

[JRH6856]

QuickLoad puts the max load for this combo at 6.2 but QL is always a bit conservative compared to most manuals. I'd say your calculations are in the ballpark.