Reload Manuals going PC?
I've been thinking of updating my selection of Reloading manuals.
Newest one is 1973 Hornady.
Is it me or the newer the manual, the lower the velocities?
I'm looking at these and the velocities for the the 30-06 are 300 fps lower than listed in my manual. Same length 22" barrel! I can understand if it was different powder makers but I'm looking at the same powders in each book.
Either the cronographs back then were junk or the powder now is getting weaker or the lawyers are writting these things!
Anyone else notice this?
Is it possible that back in the 60's and early 70's the loads being published were too hot?
Newest one is 1973 Hornady.
Is it me or the newer the manual, the lower the velocities?
I'm looking at these and the velocities for the the 30-06 are 300 fps lower than listed in my manual. Same length 22" barrel! I can understand if it was different powder makers but I'm looking at the same powders in each book.
Either the cronographs back then were junk or the powder now is getting weaker or the lawyers are writting these things!
Anyone else notice this?
Is it possible that back in the 60's and early 70's the loads being published were too hot?
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All cookbooks are showing less powder nowadays. Thanks mostly to the idiots that load hot 300 gr bullets for their 45-70 1873 Trapdoor and the like.
I use Speer #8 still and probably always will.0 -
What does the charge amount compare?
Who feeds their gun a steady diet of absolute max loads anyhow?0 -
quote:Originally posted by jonk
What does the charge amount compare?
Who feeds their gun a steady diet of absolute max loads anyhow?
For bolt actions and revolvers, I do.
That is what they were designed for.0 -
I reload for accuracy not velocity. But sometimes these number intersect.
Especially when I'm doing a load development.
There are 3-7 grains difference in MAX loads of some of these references.
Oh well I'llincrement.5 grains then load em up till they can't hold any more powder then start working my way up until I see some signs...0 -
Some cartridges shoot the best at the very top of the pressure curve. All the books are listing less charge weight now. One reason is the use of piezo transducers for pressure measurements. They react more accurately to peak pressures and spikes than the older Copper crusher method.
I still use loads listed in the Speer number 8 manual. Many loads I shoot are several grains over what the new books list as max. Prudence is always the best policy when reloading. Going over book max is done at your own risk!0 -
Well, back when they used the "by guess and by god" methiod the data was a lot higher than when they kinda switched to copper crusher barrels (and considering that at least one manual was written by RECYCLING USED crusher pellots) and "broken wire" chronographs there reliability was a little better. Today they use strain gauges and photo-electric chronographs and the "formerly considered safe" load data has been found to exceed specifications.
IOW the ability to accuratly measure presure and velocity has greatly improved over time, and that data that exceeded SAMMI specs has been oned down. Also don't forget that each lot of powder is different, and sometimes by quite a large amount (IOW your not using the EXACT same powder the test lab was).0 -
Many of the old books also gave velocities from pressure guns with long barrels, often 26"
Several of my new books give the test rifle and barrel length which is often 22 inches. Powders change over the years too. test the limits if you must, but remember, start low and work up slowly and carefully. I haven't (knock on wood) blown any guns up yet but I've been in the neighborhood when several other have. Ain't pretty, and not a happy occasion.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Tailgunner1954
Well, back when they used the "by guess and by god" methiod the data was a lot higher than when they kinda switched to copper crusher barrels (and considering that at least one manual was written by RECYCLING USED crusher pellots) and "broken wire" chronographs there reliability was a little better. Today they use strain gauges and photo-electric chronographs and the "formerly considered safe" load data has been found to exceed specifications.
IOW the ability to accuratly measure presure and velocity has greatly improved over time, and that data that exceeded SAMMI specs has been oned down. Also don't forget that each lot of powder is different, and sometimes by quite a large amount (IOW your not using the EXACT same powder the test lab was).
+100[^] Thats why I keep telling new reloader's to buy as many load books as they can and cross check !0
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