If I change bullet weight, do I change powder charge?

[LIUNA]

I want to thank everyone for their recommendations and directions regarding this subject matter, I appreciate it very much.
Thanks, Bob

 

[hogan]

Here is the straight skinny: Handloading is Dangerous IF you don't have an understanding of the many factors at work that can effect or combine to produce Pressures high enough to blow-up your weapon and injure you & others, or ruin a fine piece.

Bullet design can mean that one load that is "safe" for XXX bullet weight is not safe for a different design of same weight. Differences in pressure result from bearing surface length.

Hot temperatures will likely produce dangerous pressure in loads that were developed "near max" at mild temperatures. What you shoot safely in Spring might endanger you/others in the heat of Summer. Ammunition left in direct sunlight or a car in direct sun can heat up to temps higher than ambient conditions. A loaded round left in a hot chamber can heat up enough to be dangerous.

A given Powdercharge is safe only within a range of weight with a particular bullet. Too little powder and you might experience a detonation which could damage your weapon, or cause case failure and hot gas to exit rear of action (if lucky!). Too much powder produces similar over-pressure and resultant failures. Using a fast burn rate powder or too slow a burnrate powder can similarly effect pressure.

Bullet seated into rifling can generate excessive pressures.

In a max-load, substitution of one element could generate over-pressure situation. All primers are not the same. A hotter primer can elevate pressure by producing faster burn rate in cartridge body. IMR, H, and Accurate powders share many similar powder numbers. IE: IMR4350, H4350, & XMR4350; they are not the same burn-rate powders so loads using one are not interchangeable with another 4350 powder. Lot #s of same maker powder type can have different burn-rates; enough to be dangerous if you're loading a maximum pressure load.

Military ctg cases like Lake City LC & WCC are heavier than commercial cases like Win & R-P. A 45gr load of powder in a Win or R-P case is NOT SAFE in a LC or WCC mil-spec case. Rule of thumb is 2gr less per max loads if shooting military cases.


You Need a Reference Library for consultation if you expect to handload safely and with confidence. Sierra, Hornady, and Lee manuals are excellent resources. Buy manuals from bulletmakers whose products you shoot. Lyman is also a very good resource for all things related to handloading and bullet casting.

There are many other variables to consider. You need a checkweight set to verify your scale's accuracy, for example and you need to verify powdermeasure weights thrown on a good scale to be sure.

Men have been killed in rifle blow-ups. This is not a hobby or pursuit for those who can't be bothered with details and analytical thinking. Primers are always kept in their factory original trays or priming tool trays/tubes, Never kept loose or in a jar or can. One day at a pawnshop, I was asking about some loading gear. Shop owner picked up a jar of loose primers and began shaking it as I ran for the door.... I am still amazed the jar didn't detonate with force of a grenade. There were about 150/200 loose primers in there...

Get the manuals. Visit your library and see if there are any handloading books there. Read and understand the variables and how to control them.

I'm sure all here wish you the best.