I just picked up some 400 grain Barnes Super Solids for my 400 Whelen. I have never loaded solids before. Is there anything I need to know? Should I start out a bit lower on my charges or can I use the same tried and true loads I use with my 400 grain Woodleighs? I suspect because they are a true solid I should start a bit low and work up. Thanks.

Mart

that would be an excellent suspicion.
if the solid has more bearing length or a thicker jaxket.
back it down a bit more than the 10% and work carefully.

Does Barnes show different powder charges for their solids vs. their others in other like diameter cartidges?

these mono metal bullets? and have you loaded mono metals before?

if you have no experience with these types of bullets, please understand that solids in general, and barnes specifically, are longer than softs -- if monometal, they will be VERY much longer than standard -- i just checked, super solids are all copper --

PLEASE find someone with quickload to run this data for you .. DO NOT just load them "bottom of book" and set them at standard OAL -- this will result is a VERY high pressure, if not injury or death ...

They are a mono metal solid which is why I am checking. Thanks for the warning. They are considerably longer than the Woodleigh 400 soft points. I will do some thorough research before loading.

Mart

quote:

Originally posted by Boxhead:
Does Barnes show different powder charges for their solids vs. their others in other like diameter cartidges?

That would be no.

While I don't claim that this will be the same for all situations, my experience in loading Hornady 500 gr. FMJ round noses and 500 Grain Woodleigh Protected Points in a 458 Lott, Hornady 300 gr. FMJ RN and 300 gr. BTSP in a 375 H&H Magnum, Barnes 270 gr. TSX and Barnes 270 gr. Banded Solids in a 378 Weatherby Magnum the powder charges are all the same.

At least the Woodleighs I've used, have a very thick jacket even though they're soft nosed and I very much doubt you'll have to decrease the load with your Barnes solids.

Would COL be an issue with working out Mono metal loads vs Woodleighs, Hornady bullets?

Since my loads have been in magazine fed rifles, the COAL has been the same for for solids, TSX & Woodleighs in the guns I use them in.