Max Load Question

[Delaware_Ken]

Good Morning,

How close to the actual max load is the data in reloading manuals. The last two loads that I've worked up for accuracy loads for my 308 and 243 have been over the max loads listed in my reloading manuals. Is there a built in safety margin in reloading manuals? I never start at the max loads listed, but work up my loads gradually. It seems like I've been wasting a lot of gun powder and bullets, because I always seem to end over the max loads listed. Better safe than sorry I guess.

Ken

 

[cmillard]

that is where starting low comes in to play, as you said you did. the powder companies use test barrels to test the pressure for any given bullet, powder, primer combo. these test barrels will probably have different chamber and bore dimensions than what your barrel will have, so pressures may vary greatly. what i think you would benefit from is loading at the range. it saves time and it is easier to find "the load."

 

[deadlyswift]

Not that I am putting down your question. It is one that is probably not asked enough IMO. I think it should alway's be answered carefuly and accurately tho!

I never advise any new reloader to stray from their mannuals, as one gets more advanced, and has 100% in ablity to see pressure signs should they every go above max loads in their mannual. Not that you don't have this ablity but just so that any new reloaders reading this don't try to get advanced too fast.

You are probably finding your best accuracy nodes above listed max loads. Often most do. When shooting above mannual max loads one should alway's go in small incriments, .2gr at the most IMO. Again one has to be able to understand and recognize all pressure signs to do this safely! As cmillard has said this is where starting low comes into play. Every chamber is a little different and pressures climb at a faster or slower rate depending on chamber dimensions. I as well shoot almost all my rifles at a higher load than max listed in mannuals. It is safe but only if one understands pressure signs and understands what is happening when firing a hot load. Many use a ladder test to find their nodes and max pressure for a particular barrel. Both can be done at the same time with using a ladder test. Once I find my max load in a particular barrel. I back off at least .5gr from where I seen pressure signs. I make notes and I call this my practical max load. This will help keep pressures from sneaking up on you as hot and cold weather from summer to winter go up and down. As well many things change in a barrel as you send more rounds down range witch I believe can also contribute to pressure changes. Also I know if I go past the .5gr load noted in my log then I'm entering a danger zone. It will help if you keep very detailed notes on all your loadings. Even the loads that didn't shoot that well you will be able to go back and see that a particular load didn't shoot. So there for you don't waste time working with something that you have already tried. I agree with cmillard that loading at the range is a great way to save time and money. The only reason I don't is because I'm not set up to do so at this time. I'm also not a member of a club yet, and I'm shooting in a cut over where I have to carry my stuff 100yrds to get set up for longer ranges. Once I get into a club that has 500yrds or more I may just do that, and start loading at the range.
Thanks
Mark

 

[dmickey]

Since when is a trip to the range and shooting a waste of anything!!! ;D

 

[deadlyswift]

Since when is a trip to the range and shooting a waste of anything!!! ;D

LoL! yea I did mean that finding a node quicker and shooting a accurate load vs a load that isn't producing is a lot more fun to shoot!

BUT!!!! I have to agree with you a trip to the range isn't ever a waste of time! guess you got me there! ;D Got to love the trigger time. It will teach you more than you can ever learn from talking and reading. With that said. Reading and talking does help but one must put what info he reads or talks about into practice period! So that leading to more trigger time! Got to love it!
Mark

 

[buzzard]

There is a part of your case by the extracter groove that does not go into the chamber measure it before shooting if it grows .001" you are close enough to max load if you go higher your primer pockets will get too big to hold primers.