Different Starting Loads?

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

I start my handloads using, of course, the minimum load.

I'm aware that below minimum can cause pressure spikes.

My question is this: Different sources list different starting loads. For example, I like Varget. When loading for the 7,9x57J, I go first to Hodgdon Powders' data. They list, for a Hornady 150grn soft point bullet, a starting load of 45.5grns for a velocity of 2561fps and a pressure of 37.5K CUP.

Now, I flip over to Sierra and their load data says 45.1grns to start. Granted, different bullet with different bearing surface, but it also has a longer COL. Same weight bullet though.

Now, I go to Hornady's load data and they list a starting load of 43.5grns for a 2400ish feet-per-second. I like that -- but why the 2 grain discrepancy between the powder and bullet manufacturer?

I tend to think the powder people know their pressures and such the best so I go with their data before the bullet peoples' data, but it still leads to some confusion.

On top of everything else, my bullet is this:


http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx? ... 3&CAT=4178

It's made by Buffalo Arms Corporation and appears to have about the same bearing surface as the Hornady, so I load and watch for pressure sign.

Is this the correct procedure?

Should I be doing anything differently? How does one go about getting data for bullets not listed?

Any other advice?

Thanks,

Josh

[Burrhead]

Any of the starting loads are probably safe to use and you are correct that the bearing surface of the bullet is a factor. But the cases used, primer used as well as the lot number of the powder can be a factor in this formula. Myself when I load for one of my rifles such as my 98/29 or 24/47 Mausers I usually start at the mid chart for my first load in these two rifles as they are modern and I know they are strong, but I have been reloading over 30 years and I think I understand my weapons pretty well.
Now when dealing with my antiques that is a whole different story. I shoot smokeless in my 43 Spanish Rolling Block and any time I start a new bullet style I start at the minimum load. I also load for a 1889 Schmidt Rubin and I use 30-40 Craig data so I do the same thing here start at the minimum load.
You will rarely find the reloading manuals will agree exactly on minimum and maximum loads, for what reasons I can not tell you but it is a fact of reloading. I happen to think that Hornady is a conservative manufacture and Nosler on the other hand push's the limit on their maximum charges. Nosler list a 165 grain ballistic tip at 3000 FPS out of a 30-06 using Reloader22 and I have shot this load in a Buddy's Ruger No.1 but those primers were some of the flattest I have ever seen. Mike took the loads out West for Mule Deer and Antelope and got everyone he shot at. But the Federal cases we used were only good for about 4 reloads of this kind of pressure.
Anyway I'd just take the manual from the bullet manufacturer and go down there list and remember they are worried about all rifles in this caliber and you are only thinking about yours.
Good Luck
Burrhead

[bunkysdad]

Josh, Those bullets are nice for sure, but they are kind of expensive, if that is a bag of 100. Now don't get me wrong, if you are gonna handload for a particular purpose, such as bringing down a nice whitetail or elk, skimping on a bullet because of price would not be smart, but for plugging paper, I'd find some cheaper bargains. Now after looking around on your website link, I found some I want too for loading some rounds for my British Enfields. Some nice 174 gr roundnose Hornadys http://www.buffaloarms.com/Detail.aspx? ... 2&CAT=4178

[cougar98332]

hey, that looks like a good bullet, let me know if you try em and what kind of enfield they are in, im looking for a good reliable feeding bullet for hunting use.

[desdem12]

Just a note on nosler. They blew uo their factory not to long ago making ammo, Maybe they were pushing the limit then and using their on info.