I am just wondering if the more experienced reloaders go near the max anymore. When I started loading about 10 years ago I used to make everything near max. Now I am definately going lighter. I only load my 225 hot since it is for prarie dogs and that is where all the accuracy is with that load. Just curious if anyone else has had the same change of heart about reloading?
Do you load hot?
- Thread starter Jeeper
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I am by no means an experienced reloader, as I've only been doing this for a few years. But I never reload to the max--I just don't see the point. I reload to save money, which ultimately allows me to practice more often. I don't care about velocity when all I'm doing is target shooting.
It really depends on what I want to do. My practice loads are pretty light for handguns, I load some HOT boomers for fun and wow factor. My rifle loads are accurate, and range anywhere from upper midrange to warm, where it starts stacking bullets AND I have the velocity I need I stop. Shotguns I shoot light loads for targets and heavy max loads for hunting if I can finagle a pattern that will do what I need it to do.
NONE of my loads are over published maximums. Seems I have always had or bought a bigger gun if I needed more gun instead of loading up what might get the job done without blowing up.
NONE of my loads are over published maximums. Seems I have always had or bought a bigger gun if I needed more gun instead of loading up what might get the job done without blowing up.
HankB
Member
It depends.
For my 1911, I load 230 grain cast bullets to around 840 ft/sec - pretty much duplicating standard factory "hardball" velocity.
In my .30/06, I find max loads give best accuracy with a 180 grain bullet and RL22 powder, so that's what I use. ("Max" in the context of maximum SAFE load, with no signs of excess pressure. And without exceeding published data.) Ditto for my .375 H&H, with either 270 or 300 grain bullets and W760 powder.
Oddly enough, I find that chronographed velocities of my "max" loads are no more than a bit higher than factory ammo is supposed to produce. But factory rifle ammo seems to consistently produce 150 - 250 ft/sec below what's claimed.
On the other hand, in my .308's (an M1A and a FAL) I just try to duplicate military ball ballistics using powders of medium burning rate - gas guns are sensitive to things like gas port pressure, and trying to "max" out a load isn't wise.
Max loads have changed over the years. Pick up a reloading manual from, say, 1970 and compare with one today. You'll find a few changes - almost invariably, recommended powder charges have been cut back.
For my 1911, I load 230 grain cast bullets to around 840 ft/sec - pretty much duplicating standard factory "hardball" velocity.
In my .30/06, I find max loads give best accuracy with a 180 grain bullet and RL22 powder, so that's what I use. ("Max" in the context of maximum SAFE load, with no signs of excess pressure. And without exceeding published data.) Ditto for my .375 H&H, with either 270 or 300 grain bullets and W760 powder.
Oddly enough, I find that chronographed velocities of my "max" loads are no more than a bit higher than factory ammo is supposed to produce. But factory rifle ammo seems to consistently produce 150 - 250 ft/sec below what's claimed.
On the other hand, in my .308's (an M1A and a FAL) I just try to duplicate military ball ballistics using powders of medium burning rate - gas guns are sensitive to things like gas port pressure, and trying to "max" out a load isn't wise.
Max loads have changed over the years. Pick up a reloading manual from, say, 1970 and compare with one today. You'll find a few changes - almost invariably, recommended powder charges have been cut back.
Fatelvis
Member
No. I dont find it nesissary to load hot. The little extra velocity gained, isnt worth the wear and tear on the gun.
Arub
Member
I'm not an experienced loader and I don't load on the hot side. Usually load at 90% level. For J-frame .357 magnumus I drop down to 85% for comfort level.
jjmorgan64
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The great majority of the time, no.
every once in a while in the right gun, 454 comes to mind, well
every once in a while in the right gun, 454 comes to mind, well
dodgestdshift
Member
An interesting thing happened to me. I started out many years ago with "medium" loads. Now when I look at certain manuals that are more current, my loads have "heated" up. This surprises me no end, since I notice little change in velocity or recoil. Maybe it is ALS, Almighty lawyer syndrome.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
When I started loading my own ammunition in the late 1970s, I figured the maximum loads listed were there to challenge me.
I never blew up a gun, but exceeded safe pressure levels a few times, then happened to see a nearly new Ruger revolver that had been blown up by hot rod loads. It was in a gun shop, along with some fresh used guns and reloading equipment. Apparently, the guy hadn't been badly injured, but suddenly decided he was all done shooting.
I decided I'd go to bigger calibers instead of bigger loads.
I never blew up a gun, but exceeded safe pressure levels a few times, then happened to see a nearly new Ruger revolver that had been blown up by hot rod loads. It was in a gun shop, along with some fresh used guns and reloading equipment. Apparently, the guy hadn't been badly injured, but suddenly decided he was all done shooting.
I decided I'd go to bigger calibers instead of bigger loads.
Mike Irwin
Member
Some of my loads, worked up very carefully over a number of years, go well over some of my books.
bedlamite
Member
I've been known to push my 44 Redhawk above book loads, but not so high that the brass sticks. Everything else usually stays 5-10% below published max.
Desert Dog
Member
like others here it depends...
I have some thunderboomers specifically for .45 Super/Colt that are on the hairy edge of SAAMI, then I have the kittycat loads that I shoot for the occasional target practice with the wife (not a gunner, but not an anti either) or new shooters... THEN, I have loads all over the pressure range loaded for superb accuracy...
I never load rifle rounds for max velocity, only accuracy....
ya see... it depends...
Mike
I have some thunderboomers specifically for .45 Super/Colt that are on the hairy edge of SAAMI, then I have the kittycat loads that I shoot for the occasional target practice with the wife (not a gunner, but not an anti either) or new shooters... THEN, I have loads all over the pressure range loaded for superb accuracy...
I never load rifle rounds for max velocity, only accuracy....
ya see... it depends...
Mike
mtnbkr
Member
My only "hot" load is well over what is published in loading guides, but chrono's out around the same level as factory loads in the same class. I worked up slowly (.25gr to .5gr at a time) and used a chrono to check my work. For every 50 of these, I'll shoot 100+ light loads.
Otherwise, my loads tend to be mild and for plinking. I don't load for rifle yet, but I doubt I'll go particularly hot there either.
Chris
Otherwise, my loads tend to be mild and for plinking. I don't load for rifle yet, but I doubt I'll go particularly hot there either.
Chris
eddieleon
Member
All of my loads are within the published limits. Seldom do I find any accuracy increase past the next lowest from max loads.
Some friends load for max velocity. I don't unless accuracy is improved. It seldom is.
Some friends load for max velocity. I don't unless accuracy is improved. It seldom is.
Guy B. Meredith
Member
I find that with West Coast Bullets copper plated .38s, Starline or Remington brass and Winchester WSP primers I am consistently loading over max published values to get the listed velocity.
I do load the .38s for 850 fps and shoot only in a revolver chambered for .357 magnum. The M66 consistently runs 50 fps or so faster than the 627 and 686 with the same load.
I do load the .38s for 850 fps and shoot only in a revolver chambered for .357 magnum. The M66 consistently runs 50 fps or so faster than the 627 and 686 with the same load.
WalkerTexasRanger
Member
NO. Enough on that...
Clark
Member
I like to find out how much safety margin there is before I carry a load.
I work up an overload to see what happens.
Some caliber / gun combinations have lots of safety margin, and some have almost none.
I carry some guns with twice the powder charge of the highest book loads, but there are some gun / cartridges like the CZ52 / 7.62x25mm, that I would not consider carrying with .1 gr extra powder.
With bolt rifles, I only overload the ones I can safely. '98 Masusers can get allot more power than the IMR load guide says.
While with a 260, the book loads are right up against the limit of the brass already.
I work up an overload to see what happens.
Some caliber / gun combinations have lots of safety margin, and some have almost none.
I carry some guns with twice the powder charge of the highest book loads, but there are some gun / cartridges like the CZ52 / 7.62x25mm, that I would not consider carrying with .1 gr extra powder.
With bolt rifles, I only overload the ones I can safely. '98 Masusers can get allot more power than the IMR load guide says.
While with a 260, the book loads are right up against the limit of the brass already.
Sure, I load at max. And I have exceeded book max. loads on occasion. But, the majority of my shooting and handloading is done at much more moderate levels. In fact I have spent the last few years experimenting with very light rifle loads that are so light, they are not much louder than clapping your hands.
I have guns that I bought just to shoot hot loads out of. For example, in .44 Mag I have three. Two Smiths and one Ruger SBH. The SBH was purchased to exploit everything the .44 Mag has to offer. The Smiths only get .44 Special loads. They are hot loads for .44 Special but well below anything that would be considered hot in a .44 Mag. I also own a Ruger Redhawk and a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 mag. These are shot with max loads or not shot at all. I have another half dozen .357 revolvers that see a steady diet of cast bullets and moderate velocities. In my .30-06s, I shoot a lot of mild cast loads, but when I hunt I use an absolute max load with a 150 grain bullet at 3000 fps. I never saw the point to shooting my .338 Win Mag with anything less than full .338 loads. My .444 Marlin has shot it's share of monster loads, but the recoil is so severe that unless I am getting ready for a hunt, I shoot basically moderate .44 mag type loads in it.
This is all the beauty of handloading. You tailor your load for the purpose at hand. You don't have to stick with just one load.
I have guns that I bought just to shoot hot loads out of. For example, in .44 Mag I have three. Two Smiths and one Ruger SBH. The SBH was purchased to exploit everything the .44 Mag has to offer. The Smiths only get .44 Special loads. They are hot loads for .44 Special but well below anything that would be considered hot in a .44 Mag. I also own a Ruger Redhawk and a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 mag. These are shot with max loads or not shot at all. I have another half dozen .357 revolvers that see a steady diet of cast bullets and moderate velocities. In my .30-06s, I shoot a lot of mild cast loads, but when I hunt I use an absolute max load with a 150 grain bullet at 3000 fps. I never saw the point to shooting my .338 Win Mag with anything less than full .338 loads. My .444 Marlin has shot it's share of monster loads, but the recoil is so severe that unless I am getting ready for a hunt, I shoot basically moderate .44 mag type loads in it.
This is all the beauty of handloading. You tailor your load for the purpose at hand. You don't have to stick with just one load.
Trisha
Member
I load to the best accuracy a given assembled round will achieve in a specific firearm. Occasionally, the result is a load approaching the upper limit - but I see no point in doing it deliberately.
Loading practice ammo for tactical drills, I have matched premium ammo performance, and that gets warm.
I do it out of the simple delight of practicing meticulous perfectionism - I find it soothing.
Loading practice ammo for tactical drills, I have matched premium ammo performance, and that gets warm.
I do it out of the simple delight of practicing meticulous perfectionism - I find it soothing.
happy old sailor
Member
38's and below stay in the middle ground. .357 and above are near max, not at or over. when the shooting day is about done, i bring out the .44 SBH and SRH for some "earthquake" loads. fire a cylinder or two of these, just for fun. and a good time was had by all.
for myself, the lesser loads are the more accurate. and, i do admire accuracy.
for myself, the lesser loads are the more accurate. and, i do admire accuracy.
braindead0
Member
earschplittenloudenboomer comes to mind. I've done some pretty heavy loads for my GP-100 and I worked with a friend creating some 325gr .44 magnum loads for his Super Redhawk that were, shall we say....a bit hot.
I think with the right gun, and careful work you can do it with a reasonable level of safety.
Of course, might as well just buy a bigger gun ;-)
I think with the right gun, and careful work you can do it with a reasonable level of safety.
Of course, might as well just buy a bigger gun ;-)
Bottom Gun
Member
I think that even the max loads published are softened a bit to allow for a safety factor.
I've compared some of the older reloading manuals to the most recent ones and have noticed the max loads in older manuals are considerably hotter in some cases.
Maybe the powder formulations have changed, maybe the publishers are just more liability conscious these days.
I would always get data from a second source though before loading anything since loading manuals have been known to contain typos.
I've noticed considerable differences in load data between my Lyman and my Lee manuals for example.
I've compared some of the older reloading manuals to the most recent ones and have noticed the max loads in older manuals are considerably hotter in some cases.
Maybe the powder formulations have changed, maybe the publishers are just more liability conscious these days.
I would always get data from a second source though before loading anything since loading manuals have been known to contain typos.
I've noticed considerable differences in load data between my Lyman and my Lee manuals for example.
bogie
Member
Heh, I run my .22 Ratdog at 3590fps, and I've run a 6BR with 55 grainers up at 4,100 fps. DO NOT try this yourselves...
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