What's the most accurate reloading manuel ?

[357 Terms]

One Book One Caliber. You can check the differences/discepantcies between many bullet manufactures. Also provides data from most of the major powder manufacturers. The first book I go to when starting a new load, on all the calibers I load for.

 

[jcerillo70]

I been using hodgdon and my lee book for a while now , its just the differences in loads are sometime exactly the same or way off.

for example, tonight im loading some 9mm & 45acp test rounds, while also testing 2 new powders. W231 & Tightgroup. So i usually load 10 of each.

9mm.124 gr. remington fmj
TG-
Lee says to use 4.1-4.4 gr for the 125 gr bullet. as does hodgdon. so thats all good. I loaded up a few at 4.1-4.2 gr. (My powder measure is +/- 0.1) so i think i am good at that number im at, ill load up 10 more at 4.3-4.4 gr. and try those tomorrow.

W231-
Hodgdon > 4.4-4.8gr
Lee>4.2-4.5 gr

Now Here's where it gets tricky to me, because hodgdon's min charge is almost at lee's max charge. with the 125 gr bullet again(its really 124 gr)

45ACP. 200 gr. Cast LSWC (bulleye idp #1)

TG-

Hodgedon- 4.8-5.4 gr
Lee > 4.8-5.4
*Great*

W231-
Hodge> 4.4-5.6
Lee > 4.8-5.5

Another example where the min charge show a large varience beween the two.

In my research good loads for these rounds via other's experience are (i loaded up 50 of these each)

9mm 124 gr remington fmj
>4.1-4.2 gr tightgroup or 4.3-4.4 of win231

45 acp 200gr lswc (MBC)
>4.5-4.7 gr Tightgroup or 5.1-5.3 gr. of Win231

 

[LiveLife]

<jcerillo, you posted while I replied so I'll response to your latest post on a different post>

As many posted, there is none but here's why.

Most powder/bullet manufacturers use test barrel fixtures to measure chamber pressures and velocities to develop their published load data. Most reloading manuals will indicate the use of a Universal Receiver with barrel length, twist rate and groove diameter.

When we use these published load data for our pistols/rifles, we have to factor in the production variations that differ for makes and models as to barrel lengths, twist rates, groove diameter, types of rifling (land/groove vs hill/valley/polygonal), leade distance, etc. all of which will affect chamber pressure consistency.

When you add to this the powder lot variations and formulation changes, answer to your question of "What's the most accurate reloading manual?" becomes a louder none.

For these reasons, most reloaders will use the published load data as guides and conduct their own load work ups to determine the most accurate loads without exceeding published max (which varies too ).

For me, holes on target speaks volumes. I will use the OALs that reliably feed/chamber from the magazine and determine the powder charges that produce the smallest consistent shot groups. If you want the most accurate loads for your firearms, you just gotta do your own work ups.

 

[LiveLife]

Lee does not list OAL used like most other load data. Variations in load data you see are often reflective of different OALs used as different bullet nose profile will affect how deep the bullet base will get seated inside the case neck and increase/decrease the chamber pressure.

If you want some more load data to compare, Lyman #49 indicates the following for 45ACP 200 gr LSWC at 1.235" OAL:

Titegroup: Start 4.8 gr (801 fps) - Max 5.4 gr (920 fps)
W231: Start 5.4 gr (769 fps) - Max 6.1 gr (885 fps)


Let us know how they shoot.

 

[kingmt]

For pistol I normally take the starting load & work down to where my pistol stops functioning so I know where my minimum is then work from there.

 

[jcerillo70]

Ends up between the two powders, W231 prevailed over tightgroup in both 9mm & 45acp

Winners are

1)124 gr. 9mm- 4.7 gr Win231
2)200 gr cast swc 45 acp - 5.5 gr win 231