Now, I have been told that the manufacturer of the bullet doesn't have much to do with the Loading data!! Just for ____and grins, lets say i have a certain grain hp bullet, can I use anyone's data to load this bullet as long as they weigh the same and are the same shape? Can you use any data with the same weight and shape of bullet as far as powder is concerned? If I am loading a 124 grain HP bullet, then I can use Speer, Hodgdon, Nosler or any other bullet manufacturer's data to load it as long as they are the same weight and shape? This is my Question????
Do I have this right?
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Varminterror
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No, not all load data is universally interchangeable.
That seems odd a bullet maker would say they don't have much to do with loading data without qualifying it, however it is your responsiblity. All guns are unique entities. You could find a load in your gun that an identical gun may find to be too hot. That's why it's recommended to always start at 10% below max. Or you could do like I do and not try to find out the very maximum load my guns can handle. I have read many times that a somewhat lighter load than max is commonly the most accurate. The main thing is to be cautious, it really doesn't take much effort.
LaneP
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Weight is only one of several characteristics to be considered in building load data. Others include bearing surface length, surface hardness, bullet diameter and seating depth. So as others have mentioned, data can't simply be interchanged based on weight and nose profile similarity alone.
barnfrog
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I think the answers you are going to get will be largely the same as the answers you got in another thread you started.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/bullet-shape-question.905629/
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/bullet-shape-question.905629/
Cheesemaker
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Some of the big bullet manufacturers do provide load data. Think Hornady, Sierra, Speer, Nosler.... they all publish load data manuals.
Some of the "less big" bullet manufacturers, think Berry's who make a lot of plated bullets, specify COL measurements for their bullets.
COL is an important characteristic, but not the only one.
As the others have said, start low, work up (if needed, maybe low works good enough), and be safe.
Some of the "less big" bullet manufacturers, think Berry's who make a lot of plated bullets, specify COL measurements for their bullets.
COL is an important characteristic, but not the only one.
As the others have said, start low, work up (if needed, maybe low works good enough), and be safe.
lordpaxman
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Most of the pistol bullets I load don’t have specific load data, the manufacturers don’t have or can’t afford to develop the load data for them.
I try to find the closest weight, shape and technology in published data. I’m almost always forced to extrapolate data in some fashion, such as COL, so mind your seating depth, start low and work up. Good luck.
AJC1
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The theory is that published load data is just a test set representing what they used to find the minimum and maximum limits using criteria almost universally unpresented.... those of us that understand this is a science gather several such data sets to form a good idea of a safe load... every bullet, every primer, pound of powder and case is unique. Combining these unique items results in a unique combustion event, which we spend every effort to make as close as possible to others we make... the best of us make piles of ammunition that is well within 1% in repeated test events.
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FROGO207
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OP, along with your weight and profile a bullet can also have different compositions that change load data because they are harder or easier to push down the barrel. Different gliding metals, the thickness of them, lead only, plated, and a solid copper or solid brass alloy bullet all will require different data. Often a nearly the same bullet, say a HP, that has similar shape and length will be fairly close to another of the same brand. Also a HP or a FMJ will be shaped differently and require different data as well. Then you get into the different setups they are shot in to get results. It is your job as a reloader to take this "this is what we used to make a safe load data" and work up a safe for your use load. Several sets of data to look at helps me decide what to best use if my exact bullet is not specifically listed but it is always an educated guess at best. If you want you can contact the bullet maker and ask what they recommend, this may be useful to you as well.
ETA As you gain experience you will get a feel of what will work with data provided. The same as experience on feeling your primer seat fully when priming.
ETA As you gain experience you will get a feel of what will work with data provided. The same as experience on feeling your primer seat fully when priming.
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The way the question was worded, this is the correct answer.
use the reloading data from the manuals of all those bullet manufacturers to make up your load (and a few powder manufacturer manuals as well). there are too many variables in the reloading process to rely on just one source of data. everything is different, but close enough to the same to figure out a load using data from multiple manuals.
luck,
murf
luck,
murf
tightgroup tiger
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Where the bullet's base resides inside the case is king. If two bullets you want to use both seat at the same depth and pass the plunk test, then you can use the same starting data and start up the ladder.
AJC1
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Col directly impacts under bullet case volume
GeoDudeFlorida
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I seem to recall you’ve already asked this question. Three times, at least. Try looking at your own past posts and responses. The answers are all there.
Similar same weight bullets, all cup and core jacketed bullets loaded to different OALs.
Heir Kommt Die Sonne
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I personally do if I can't find load data for a specific bullet or weight, but use discretion and load 10% below max for it. Pay attention to the OAL info and compare the bullet to the case, about where it'd sit in conjunction to where the powder height is.
it's our job to be as careful and consistent as possible when we make ammunition. It's a science and just like all science things can get dangerous very fast if we're not careful.
it's our job to be as careful and consistent as possible when we make ammunition. It's a science and just like all science things can get dangerous very fast if we're not careful.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Whoever told you that was wrong OR you misheard/misread a completely different statement OR this is a misrepresentation of the fact that one or two nationally distributed bullet makers products are not accompanied by complete testing and data for a wide variety of powders, cases and primers.
Who’s bullet? Brand? Jacketed, plated, lubed, coated?? All of these factors make a huge difference.
No.
No.
No.
Only you can answer that.
these questions are when I like having one of those little cartrdige specific load data pamphlets, that crosses all the major manufacturers. I can scrub all that load data - get a solid idea of what was used and why the result is what is was. Then say, substituting one Lead Round Nose bullet, for another that is just about the exact same thing, seems reasonable if your load is inside the most applicable data to the application in the pamphlet. Like, substituting one small pistol primer for another, sure they are different, you're mileage may vary, but - I'm not an industry expert. I do think it is a relatively common practice, even if it is not advised by anyone to do so.
GeoDudeFlorida
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I agree but this is exactly where novices get confused. A soft swaged 158gr Speer LRN is not the same bullet at all as a 158gr Lyman’s #358311 LRN cast with #2 Alloy or the same bullet, same advertised weight, from the same mold but cast from Linotype. Those are three very different bullets and while the loading data for a given powder will be similar, it won’t be the same. It can’t. But it takes an experienced reloader to know that a soft swaged bullet will have both a lower starting load and a lower accuracy load. Maybe. Depends on the lube. The hardness and alloy make a huge difference but it isn’t everything. And that’s where some inexperienced folks get confused.
There can be overlap in the data and in some instances the data might be the same, but that isn’t always true.
Hodgdon has a number of 125 grain bullets listed for 9x19 with W231. One of the bullets has a starting charge of 2.8 grains and a max of 3.3. Another bullet has a range of 4.4 to 4.8 grains. You have to choose the most appropriate data for your components.
If the data is the same than the manufacturer feels it’s safe to use the same data for both those bullets. This however is not universally true.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Go read Post #5 again and follow the link to the last time you asked. Asking the same question again (and again and again) isn’t going to change the answers.
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