Developing new recipes

[SilverBack5]

To date I have only ever reloaded by firmly sticking to mfgr recipes. I am reloading for .300 min mag target rounds, .243 on occasion, and now .30-.30 & .223 bc like everyone else I cannot find ammo. I have read posts on here where folks "try" new recipes or recommend powders for calibers that I have not seen used before. I'm sure this is based on years of experience and expertise - something I do not have.

With the Powder shortage I have managed to scrape together what powder i can find (N150, IMR4955, IMR4451) however I am reluctant to try anything aside from an exact mfgr recipe.

Example 1: I see N150 can be used in .300 Win Mag with a 123 gr Lapua bullet. Is it safe to use / adjust this recipe to load my 130 gr hornadys?
Example 2: IMR 4451 .300 win mag recipe specifically calls out 155 gr Sierra HPBTs. Can I substitute my 155 gr hornadys and use this recipe?

I realize these are spec'd out for liability reasons and quality factors, I guess I am curious how much liberty one can take in the way of substituting bullet type, powder types etc given this market. Any good resources on the subject?

 

[stillquietvoice]

With the Powder shortage I have managed to scrape together what powder i can find (N150, IMR4955, IMR4451) however I am reluctant to try anything aside from an exact mfgr recipe.

Example 1: I see N150 can be used in .300 Win Mag with a 123 gr Lapua bullet. Is it safe to use / adjust this recipe to load my 130 gr hornadys?
Example 2: IMR 4451 .300 win mag recipe specifically calls out 155 gr Sierra HPBTs. Can I substitute my 155 gr hornadys and use this recipe?

I haven't used vitori powders or either of the other 2 you mentioned. I. Your first example for heavier bullet weight of similar construction, you should be able to drop the min and Max powder load by a half grain and work up, checking for pressure signs. In example 2 both bullets are of cup and core type and should not be a problem using the same data. I'm not sure which one but hogden site shows data for 243 win so you could use some of it there as well.

 

[kalielkslayer]

I’ve swapped components over the years like when I wanted to try a new bullet that wasn’t in the manuals yet.

I always found a load with a similar bullet (similar weight) then started near the minimum. Checked each piece of brass for pressure signs and worked up slowly.

but with the internet today, it’s pretty hard not to find an answer to almost any question. Someone out there has probably been where you are now.

All copper bullets, like Barnes, are trickier since they have to be seated deeper.

 

[stillquietvoice]

@SilverBack5 welcome to the forum. I started doing some load development with ramshot hunter, big game, superformance and h4350 in 243 win 7mm08 and 3006. I found load date for all powders but not all work well with 7mm08.

A quick search for 300 win data at hogden site showed that a 130 gr hornandy sp with Imr 4955, 3.300"oal. 76.5 gr to 81.4 gr for 3247 -3471 fps in their test gun.

 

[buck460XVR]

I. Your first example for heavier bullet weight of similar construction, you should be able to drop the min and Max powder load by a half grain and work up, checking for pressure signs. In example 2 both bullets are of cup and core type and should not be a problem using the same data. I'm not sure which one but hogden site shows data for 243 win so you could use some of it there as well.

I concur. It's when you don't find a powder used in published recipes for a caliber, or for a similar bullet weight/shape/design/type that folks run into problems. As trying to use jacketed recipes for lead bullets or fast handgun powders for rifle. Most of the time, I tell folks if you can not find published recipes for a particular bullet/powder/caliber combination, there's a good reason. While it may work, odds are it won't work well. New powders and bullets are the exception.

 

[FROGO207]

The rule of thumb is if you can not find data for the bullet weight you have you can use the data for the next heavier bullet weight. It will just go a bit slower. That's as long as they use the same propellant and a similar makeup of bullet. Both jacketed or both boat tail as an example

 

[AJC1]

Its actually simple. Find a similar bullet of same weight and material and load s minimum charge... work up and done...
Exception.... using solids is a different game and should not be substituted more jump is also required

 

[SilverBack5]

Thanks for the responses! Very helpful!