G'day to all you avid powder burners!

Just wondering if someone(s) could clear some potential myths or give some advice on load development. hopefully this wont be too long winded...

My (limited) understanding of reloading is (re idiots guide) get reloading book, get max and min powder weights and laddertest to see what fits best.

So what do you do if you're planing something new?

I've heard (and would like further info before i blow up a prototype) that if the case is no less than 50%, and the powder is not so fast burning that the pressure wont peak before the pill's past the chamber.

for an example, say you had published data for a 200gr pill, and a 300gr pill, (both loads use the same powder type) and you wanted to try a 230gr pill that has no data, how could you safely work up a load, and what changes would you make if you wanted a moly (or similar) coated pill?

Granted that checking each case for pressure sign is standard practice.

thanks in advance!

quote:

Originally posted by greggus:
G'day to all you avid powder burners!So what do you do if you're planing something new?
Granted that checking each case for pressure sign is standard practice.!

Post all the information you can on this forum and request someone to run a sanity check on their available software for you. You need not work in the dark. roger

quote:

So what do you do if you're planing something new?

I’m sorry up front but you can’t solve your reload question without reading a lot of published information and making a calculated “guessâ€. Than you start working up a load, at the low loads and build up to your max load.

You can use the Quickload program as I do but it only gives ideas about possible starting points and ending points, it doesn’t give real definitive answers though. The program is a computer model only.

quote:

I've heard (and would like further info before i blow up a prototype) that if the case is no less than 50%, and the powder is not so fast burning that the pressure wont peak before the pill's past the chamber.

I’m not sure I understand the question.

Most bullets (pills) hit Pmax about 2 inches up the barrel.

Hello greggus,

First, bravo to you for being wise enough to ask questions rather than just jumping out there into the reloading/handloading abyss and risking injury/death.

My take on your question(s) prompts me to suggest buddying-up with an experienced and seasoned reloader - you will learn a lot that way and you'll pick up some excellent information and tips along the way. Nothing is more important than safety.

Also, I can't stress enough that you need to always have CURRENT reloading information in the form of commercial reloading manuals. Reed and heed the information there and since most of the manuals we have in the US contain fairly good basic reloading information (I'm making the assumption that it's that way everywhere). . .it's always good to read the reloading procedures section to see what tips you can pick up - I review them quite often just to see if I'm missing anything and I've reloaded for over 30 years.

VERY IMPORTANT IN MY BOOK: Make the leap and get QuickLOAD reloading/ballistic software. I can tell you that it's not perfect, but it's exactly what you need if you're going to stray very far from the reloading information in the manuals. Let it guide your load development process and try to learn everything you can from it, but always remember to back off 15-20% on your powder quantities to start with since all guns/chambers are different and there's no use doing foolish things that may affect your health and longevity. QuickLOAD is a GUIDE, not the gospel. Always be safe - if for no other reason than for the safety of those around you, they don't deserve injury/death because of foolish things we may do as handloaders. QuickLOAD is not cheap, but it's an extremely valuable tool, and not much more in cost than a couple of good reloading manuals - I find it invaluable since I also stray from published loads from time to time, although with as much safety as possible. You should really and seriously consider this suggestion.

I hope this is helpful and speaks to your question without running too long. There are many skilled reloaders here who can be of help to you, but you are your own best friend when you properly equip yourself with knowledge and technology like reloading manuals and QuickLOAD - those items will save you much grief when used properly.

Good shooting to you,

Sunset

The simple answer is that you extrapolate. I would advise you not to try this unless you're a seasoned reloader.

I recently wanted to use a powder in a 460 S&W Magnum for which there was no published reloading data and for which I had no one's personal experience to guide me. I selected several other straight walled larger capacity cartridges for which the powder was listed and calculated the percentage of powder increase for various case sizes versus bullet weights and then selected what I thought was a conservative load.

At least for me, I consider this approach safe but it's quite time consuming. I would much rather have published data to go by.

thanks for this guys,

I do appreciate the info.
I've been reloading for about 7-8 years, and have pulled off some interesting loads, to say the least...
i've been running the quickload program for a few months and have already noticed it lacks a lot of info; here in Australia the most common powder is ADI, which though is covered in some detail in QL, the powder i'm hoping to use (ar2225) isnt on the page. so i've had to go for an "equivalent" powder being alliant's reloader 25.

Ok, to let the cat out of the bag....
As far as i know, I'm (hopefully when it gets here) the first owner of a .408 chey tac in Australia.
The US wont release any .408 related items as they still consider it to be super secret squirrel stuff, So i'm getting it from Canada Also with lost river ballistics closing down, and warren jensen not returning emails any more, US Cavalry got a stern talking to for trying to ship my order of projectiles over here, I'm waiting till i get the rifle in before i get in touch with GS Custom again, or even Llutz Moeller in Germany. so i'm kinda limited to what i have available.
I bought a quantity of 400gr barnes XLC's in 450/400NE just as they ceased production, and Woodleigh (again 450/400 rnsp's pills in 400gr)

Ok yes, they are not suited for long range shooting, but both have been micro'd to .408, and both the lads at woodeligh and at barnes have assured me that the pills can be used effectively.

the dilemmas i have are that QL doesnt even have the 400gr XLC's, and when trying to input either figures, it tells me that the projectile "is outside the case", as it doesnt consider that the long ogive of the high BC will be up barrel before it touches the lands, while the rnsp's or the xlc's are shorter projectiles and thus if seated against the lands will be a shorter OAL.

also published info for the chey tacs are for 300, 318, 385 and 419gr projectiles (that i've seen) not 400.....
and what changes should be made for the coated xlc's??

I'm looking at about 126-130gr mark of ar2225/ reloader 25

hope this helps cos i'm stuck and dont want to blow a $4000 rifle on the first shot!

thansk again!