Discrepancies in old data vs new?

[SunnySlopes]

I'm working up load data for 44 mag revolver for Hornady 180 gr jhp.

Powders on hand: Win 231, Titegroup, Accurate #5, Unique and two Vihtvuori offerings.

In my 2021 Hodgdon reloading manual, the load for 231: 10 gr for 1327 fps; max 12.0 gr for 1509 fps.

In my 1978 Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook, for 231: 10.2 gr for 1077 fps; max 13.0 gr for 1267 fps.

I guess it's time to retire the Lyman manual?

 

[CQB45ACP]

This is deja vu all over again…

Read this thread from just last week. The short answer to your retirement question is probably not.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/why-the-huge-discrepancy-between-load-sources.915733/

 

[NMexJim]

I've kept everything from the '70's forward. I marvel at how small the Hornady and Sierra manuals are from back then, but you'll find powders listed that aren't in the current manuals. Pretty darned handy.

 

[AJC1]

I'm working up load data for 44 mag revolver for Hornady 180 gr jhp.

Powders on hand: Win 231, Titegroup, Accurate #5, Unique and two Vihtvuori offerings.

In my 2021 Hodgdon reloading manual, the load for 231: 10 gr for 1327 fps; max 12.0 gr for 1509 fps.

In my 1978 Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook, for 231: 10.2 gr for 1077 fps; max 13.0 gr for 1267 fps.

I guess it's time to retire the Lyman manual?

The only reason to look at data older than a decade is for listings not currently published.... example: find a loading for 30-30 with bluedot.

 

[mdi]

One possibility is much better, more accurate pressure measuring today. In have manuals back to the '70s and often check for "improvements" in data for comparisons. I do not throw away books (I even have a few Lee Loader data sheets..).

 

[Fishtales]

My comparison is a rifle load for the .338 Win Mag. The 47th edition of the Lyman Manual showed 71 grains of IMR 4350 as max for a 200 grain bullet. Because I liked Sierra bullets, I used their 215 grain bullets and started at 69.5 grains which was well below the maximum load shown. Because they shot so well I never changed the load. Then I got hold of a Complete Reloading Manual for the .338 Win Mag (circa 2000). The Sierra max load for the 215 bullet was 70.5 grains of IMR 4350. Two years ago I got hold of a Sierra manual dated 2004 and it shows max load as 69.1 grains. I had this load marked as target only. However, I am now going to mark them as hunting loads, and I am not changing the load I have been reloading for the past 20 years.

 

[Charlie98]

One possibility is much better, more accurate pressure measuring today.

+1

Better methodology, better testing equipment. Also, powders get reformulated, or change manufacturers, and then the same thing with bullets.

I would use the most recent data as my guide, but it can always be compared to other, or older, data to verify a load baseline.

 

[LiveLife]

2021 Hodgdon reloading manual, the load for 231: 10 gr for 1327 fps; max 12.0 gr for 1509 fps ... 1978 Lyman Pistol and Revolver Handbook, for 231: 10.2 gr for 1077 fps; max 13.0 gr for 1267 fps ... time to retire the Lyman manual?

Better methodology, better testing equipment. Also, powders get reformulated, or change manufacturers

+1.

In 2006, Hodgdon was licensed to sell Winchester powders and W231 showed same load data as HP-38 (Likewise for W296 and H110) - https://hodgdon.com/company/about-us/

To me, load manuals still showing different charges for W231/HP-38 are using old test data.

 

[Nature Boy]

If you look at published load data as a place to find your starting point and your actual results at the range take precedent, the discrepancies between the various sources become less relevant.