Reloading data

[Dunkield]

As I don't have any printed reloading data, I photocopied (yes I know) the relevant pages out of my mates Lee reloding manual.

 

I went to get the powder I have chosen for my .223 loads yesterday, and the bloke in the shop offered me the VihtaVuori reloading guide to go with it. I told him I had the bits out of the Lee book and he said they are out of date, use the ones in the Viht book.

 

When I got home I had a look at the data in more detail, and bearing in mind we always warned to observe the NEVER EXCEED loads I was suprised to see were different.

 

For instance:

 

6.5x55 140 grn Viht 160:

 

Lee data says 45.6

Viht data says 46.7

 

So that is exceeding the maximum set by Lee.

 

The same applies to .223 but in that case the Lee max is hgher than the Viht max.

 

I understand that they have to factor in a margin of error and also have to cover their backsides but I was surprised to see a difference.

 

I will be using the Vihtavuori data (despite the fact Lee is easier to spell ) as they make the powder I am using - but I doubt I will be testing loads at either end of the scale

[kip270]

I have a Speer reloading manual dated 1979, it was my dads, and when he gave up shooting he gave it to me.

At the moment i only reload for my .222, and i crossed referenced the data from some in the book with some reloading web sites, and they are the same

[markm]

Not sure about other cals but the vit loading data for .243 is high in comparision to other data, i tend to keep away from it.

[Dunkield]

Not sure about other cals but the vit loading data for .243 is high in comparision to other data, i tend to keep away from it.

 

Logically, though as they make the powder would you not expect them to have the most accurate data?

[chrisv]

" Logically, though as they make the powder would you not expect them to have the most accurate data?"

 

Yes, that makes sense, but different loading manuals can give very different charge weights.

I found the Lee loads for my .223 were way too high in pressure for my rifle, but the Hornady data was about right.

[mry716]

This is a most important question and the answer needs to be fully understood fully by all who start out reloading C/Fire ammunition.

 

 

So................

 

All the manuals are correct despite the seemingly wide variations of load data.

 

Each max is max BUT ONLY for the combination of components that were used to provide the figures.

 

Everyones load is unique simply because your rifle is your rifle and no one else is loading for it. Two identical looking 243 Tikkas could be as different as a Savage and a Remington.

 

Lets say you choose the Lee manual and load little by little to the Max charge stated and still show no signs of excessive pressure (make sure you know what to look for) and then change Rem 9 1/2 primers for Federal 215 Primers. Bang, one gun blown up simply because of a change of primer.

 

Rem 9 1/2 are the coolest primer whereas Federal are the hottest.

 

The same could be true for a change of case. You could have a case with thin brass like WW and change to a thick walled case like Norma and increase your pressures tremendously.

 

Each minor change of load is potentially a fatal one - for your rifle that is, if not for you - simply because you have not understood the significance of a single seemingly insignificant change in loading specification.

 

Whatever you load if you change ANYTHING back off the load by 10% and start a new build up.

 

Safe Loading

M

[deadeye ive]

Stuart

 

In my lee deluxe die set is some reloading data and I agree it's alot higher than specified by Hornady which state 23.7 for their bullet ...........

 

You might have seen this before

 

.223

Hornady 50 grn v-max

24.2 grain vit

fed brass

cci benchrest primor

 

 

Give it a go mate,works well in my set up with the only signs of pressure being a flattened primor case .

 

Oh!...........Forgot the disclaimer ........try at your own peril and as mentioned above work up to the max b]

[markbivvy]

[hawkeye]

 

 

your gobs open again

[dunganick]

what i would do is this:

 

if your using vhit powder (like myself) and nosler or hornady projectiles (like myself) and lapua brass (like myself)

 

get one of each reloading (like myself) and have a look through each, trying to match as many components as possible in each manual. And find an average.

 

Ive found all of them to be very safe loads.

 

You dont want to know how much we run in our 6.5x55 with 95 grainers (load developed safely of course) its certainly significantly higher than quoted in any manuals.

[mry716]

6.5 x55

 

Once again - not quite true.

 

The older 6.5 rifles (still widely used and traded) will not stand modern loads hence the discrepancy, whereas something like a Sako / Howa etc will take the max loads listed and some.

 

For the reloader it is often a matter of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing and the powder manufacturers trying to protect both themselves and their customers from their own naivety.

 

So please don't criticize their ideals as in this instance they do actually stand scrutiny