Why I hesitate to share loads.

[Grimstod]

Since there have been questions about different loads in different guns I thought I would show an example. In each example set the same ammont of powder was used in each of the same cartridge examples.

Left to right.
1. BRX fire formed
2. BRX same gun FL sized with a custom bench rest quality die matched for the chamber.

3. 6.5x47 Fire formed in a gun someone else built.
4. 6.5x47 One I built and headspaced. Fire formed.
5. 6.5x47 out of the box from Lapua.

6. 7.62x54r Fire formed in a gun I did. Headspaced as tight as possible.
7. 7.62x54r out of the box from Lapua. 2gr difference capacity!

With differences like this alone, not to mention how the barrel copes with the bullet it no wonder then that your rifle may like a different load, and especially have a totally different MAX load.

 

[ireload2]

Shared or not, a prudent handloader would do a sanity check against existing data and toss shared loads that do not fit existing data. Powder is about the same specific gravity as water. Brass is 8X heavier than powder (or water) so looking into a case is not really reliable. Headspace is not reliable to judge water capacity since the diameter of the chamber has more effect than a few thousandths of excessive headspace.

 

[Milo 2.0]

Every load shared on the internet should come with a warning that the load may not even be safe in the rifle it was developed for. I appreciate people who share their loads for different powders and bullets, especially when someone is getting good results with something other than varget. I take 90% of the posted load as a starting point and work up.

I somewhat agree, but disagree more. A trend of today with newbies getting into reloading that are bent on circumventing the basics, never owning or reading a simple manual. Asking for loads, even asking for seat depths, coal's on a given rifle. Ask, and ask again.
It's quite understood in the community to work up with a load, most can decipher it's a hotter load and decide if worth pursuing. A lot of people will not learn until it becomes painful, either financially or physically. It's still falls on the individual to be safe.

 

[Clancy]

Did you canabalize a Satern funnel to add to that Blue Ribbon??

 

[mikegaiz]

I have no problem sharing load data, but it is a waste of the asking persons time. Other than what powder and bullets you gain nothing. I built a 300 WSM that shot very well. I built an exact copy of my gun for my best shooting buddy. Same action, barrel make/twist, bullets, brass, primers, powder, everything, My gun takes 3 gr. heaver powder charge than his and a different style of bullet to get a competitive grouping size.

 

[Rsadams]

Yup, each gun likes something different. I only ask to get a base comparison to the book ...

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I have no problem sharing load data, but it is a waste of the asking persons time. Other than what powder and bullets you gain nothing. I built a 300 WSM that shot very well. I built an exact copy of my gun for my best shooting buddy. Same action, barrel make/twist, bullets, brass, primers, powder, everything, My gun takes 3 gr. heaver powder charge than his and a different style of bullet to get a competitive grouping size.

Much agreed - I have 2 Bartlein 5R barrels (same caliber & chambering), both cut with the same reamer, both the same length & contour for the same action - Both need a different load. - What people should understand is there is what is called "a starting point" and any reloading data provided should be scrutinized and at the least compared with mfgrs. reloading data such as Hodgdons on-line reloading site.

 

[Mark204]

I have no problem load sharing what works for my guns, yesterday on another site a guy was looking for a good 25-06 load, I threw out two of my best loads, I also told him not to expect much but to play with it. As far as using someone else's load I'll reduce it and work my way up.


Mark

 

[boltman13]

I have shared some of my best loads on this and other Forums, but I have never ask for or used a load posted on one. I seldom reach and have exceded a published maximum only once, in 308 Win with 185 Berger Hybrid following Brian Litzs'es recomendation in his Book. Several more experienced reloaders kind of held my hand remotely when I did and it worked out fine and I was grateful.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I refuse to provide detailed data to anyone. But I will recommend a bullet or a powder.. First, working a load up is just that. You work your own load up for your firearm. There are no short cuts. Then there is the safety factor.. And finally just because a load is great in one firearm doesn't mean it will be great in another..