What do you do when the powder you intend to use is not listed in the book or somewhere on the internet?

Do you use another manufactures starting and stopping information for a similar size bullet?

I was going to load some 34 gr MidwayUSA Dogtown Bullets for my 204. I found some data for the 35 gr Berger bullets that I thought I'd use for my max and min loads.

Another interesting thing I noticed was the load printed in the book for the 40 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip was 23.0 gr min and 25.0 gr max using H335. On the Hodgdon website for the 40 gr Hornady V-Max 25.0 gr min and 26.8 gr max using H335. I point this out because I was wanting to load some 39 gr Sierra Blitzkings, which I cannot find published min and max loads. I am going to start at 23.0 gr starting load for the Nosler bullets and work my way up to the 26.8 gr max for the Hornady bullets.

What do you do?

I`d call Sierra.
The bullet makers normally offer data for their new(er) products if it hasn`t been published in their manual yet. They may or may not have data for the powder you want to use but if not I`m sure they will offer an good alturnative.

Quote Ol, Joe
"I'd call Sierra"
+ 1(a big one).
Sierra's Tech Line
1-800-223-8799

muck

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:
...I was going to load some 34 gr MidwayUSA Dogtown Bullets for my 204. I found some data for the 35 gr Berger bullets that I thought I'd use for my max and min loads....

Hey Graybird, The Sierra Tech Line is an excellent source as is the Berger Tech Support.

The problem with recommending you proceed is I do not know where there is a good source of data for the Dogtown Bullet. If Midway would tell you who actually makes it, then you could simply call the manufacturer.
-----

I have done what you were wondering about, using the Min Loads for a slightly Heavier Bullet to begin the Reloading process. Normally that works OK, but I have a lot of first-hand experience reading Pressure Indicators and I ALWAYS use CHE and PRE to help me along the way.

But, that was before the wealth of current information available to all of us. So today, I'd call Midway and ask who made the Bullet and explain that I simply want some Load Info from the actual manufacturer.

Best of luck to you.

You can usually see a common weight in powders per grain of bullet rato... so you should be able to figure it out pretty easily...

Example: 20gr of powder 50 gr bullet....22gr of powder 45gr bullet.... 24gr of powder 40gr bullet etc.... see what i'm saying..

When I work up in the 223, which has the same case head, I measure the extractor groove with each 1 gr increment. When I get any real measurable change in extractor groove diameter, I stop. The max usable load for me will be 6% less than the threshold of measurable change.

If I go home and load up .1 gr increments in that small range of loads, I can get a little more accurate in what my max load is.

If I go 3 grains above measurable change, the extractor groove may be .030" bigger and the primer falls out. The threshold of primer falling out does not have fine resolution, and so makes a poor indicator.

Similar question

I have a friend and only powder we have is Accurate No.9 and Accurate 5744.

He shoots a 500 S&W, mostly low-power practice loads and a few hight power loads to keep up familiarization. Several different slugs from 300 grain on up to 500 grains or so. Both lead and jacketed

He has a 45 ACP and 357 Magnum also and loads for 230 grain lead and jacketed in the 45 and 158 grain target loads in the 357.

We can find very little loading data for those powders and bullets.

Anyone know of any web sites?

I have been to Accurate's and they haven't got much on line.

I have a 44 magnum and 9mm Parabellum if anyone knows of loadings for those calibers with these powders.

Thanks

Lost Sheep

try and find a case of similar capacity and similar bore,,,

start low of course and work up....

I shoot a lot of stuff that doesn't have powders that I used listed, as the world seem to love slow powders and I like mid to fast powders in most of my cartridges.....

greybird ----- I just started shooting Allients new RL-17 powder in my short magnums. It is not found in any of the even newest books yet. I went to the Allient internet site and pulled up RL-17 and found several loads to start from. That gave me a good starting point and the rest is fun. Good luck and good shooting.

When working up in a revolver, the end in 357 mag is stuck cases, and then back off.

When working up in some 38 specials with fast powder, the end is the cylinder splitting off one or two extra pieces and the top strap sometimes breaks.

I have never hit anyone with those cylinder pieces, but judging by how much plywood and sheet metal they go through, it would hurt.

500sw cylinders have thick chamber walls and are stronger than the brass, but some 45acp cylinders are not.

When the gun is weaker than the brass, a work up can be a dumb idea. Our stupid load books do not define for us which guns are stronger than the brass. Well, maybe Ackley in 1962 did.

Good call on calling the bullet manufacturer. The thought never crossed my mind. If I don't get anywhere with them, I may just call the powder manufacturer, too.

THanks,

I would try Quuickload and do an estimate calulation with the specific powder. Then I would compare with similar powder data from the manuals.

quote:

...load some 34 gr MidwayUSA Dogtown Bullets for my 204. I found some data for the 35 gr...

I would do exactly that. Neither your cartridge nor your rifle will ever know the difference.

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:

What do you do?

Since reading issue #126 of HANDLOADER I've used the Powley Powder Formula:

If bullet weight increases--powder decreases.

If bullet weight decreases--powder increases.

Divide the old powder charge weight by the weight of the old bullet. Multiply that result by the difference between the old and new bullet weights. Multiply that result by 3/8ths. That equals the change in powder weight, either plus or minus, depending on whether the new bullet is lighter or heavier than the old.

Example:
54gr of brand X powder behind 180gr bullet, and you want to substitute a 220gr bullet for the latter.
Dividing 54 by 180 gives .3. Multiplying .3 by 40 grains gives 12gr. Multiply 12 grains by 3/8th equals 4.5 grains reduction in powder charge.

But I wouldn't bother with a bullet weight difference of only 1 grain.

quote:

Originally posted by onefunzr2:

quote:

Originally posted by graybird:

What do you do?

Since reading issue #126 of HANDLOADER I've used the Powley Powder Formula:

If bullet weight increases--powder decreases.

If bullet weight decreases--powder increases.

Divide the old powder charge weight by the weight of the old bullet. Multiply that result by the difference between the old and new bullet weights. Multiply that result by 3/8ths. That equals the change in powder weight, either plus or minus, depending on whether the new bullet is lighter or heavier than the old.

Example:
54gr of brand X powder behind 180gr bullet, and you want to substitute a 220gr bullet for the latter.
Dividing 54 by 180 gives .3. Multiplying .3 by 40 grains gives 12gr. Multiply 12 grains by 3/8th equals 4.5 grains reduction in powder charge.

But I wouldn't bother with a bullet weight difference of only 1 grain.

onefunzr2,

Thanks for the formula. I'm sure it will come in handy in other applications!

Thanks again,

quote:

Do you use another manufactures starting and stopping information for a similar size bullet?

You can, especially if the "similar size bullet" is heavier than the one you will be using......and you start at or below the published minimum starting load.

No need to over agonise on this kind of question. Working from something reasonably simular, starting low and only moving up if no pressure signs occur will safely accomidate a LOT of small variables.