I am loading for my .223 using Hornady's 75gr v-max bullets.

I am working with Varget and trying to find the load that works best for me.

Hornady's 8th edition manual says the max to load with is 23.5gr. Now my Layman manual, (It is the latest one) states that 25.6gr is the max.

I know that I need to work my way up on the charge, but why would these two manuals be so different?

well for me 23 is a starting load of varget.
26.6 will be a very compressed load.
abnout 26 is all i would put in a remingtton case/
there has always been conflicting data between manuels. mostly due to the type of equipement that each uses

It's not at all unusual to find conflicting load data. I could show instances where the starting load for a given bullet weight in one manual was around the maximum load in another manual. The possible reasons:

1. Different powder lots.
2. Different primers.
3. Slightly different bore dimensions.
4. Different freebore.
5. Different seating depth.
6. Different case volumn.
7. Different criteria for what the maximum pressure should be.

I'm sure there are other factors as well.

If you have only checked 2 books, you have not done your homework. Once you have 5 or 6 books, and a chronograph, then you can start figurin out what's going on. And yes, they will all be different.

Just use the one that has the load that appeals to you the most.

start with the most conservative, and load up .. its better to spend 20 bucks on components than the $100 ER deductable

The Lyman is tested in a 1/12" twist bbl at a longer COL then the Hornady load that wass shot in a 1/9" twist tube.
Add the difference in components, chambers, lots...........

quote:

why would these two manuals be so different?

Mostly because they used different guns. If they had used the same one the results would probably be quite close. There is no other change we can make to book data than using a different firearm; all component changes are tivial in comparision to that.

Your data confusion is understandable. It shows why I feel it's a mistake for noobs to have more than one manual; extras are not needed and the book differences are an unneeded confusion factor. And, what you're seeing is why none of us can take ANY manual as gospel truth, none of them can possibly tell us what we will get in our rifles anyway. Bottom line; we have to develop our loads in our rifles and NO ONE ELSE can tell us what we will get nor what will be OUR maximum!

Later, after a few years of experience, you will learn to work with the variables and then adding manuals for additional info on new powders and cartridges is fine. But, for new guys, additional manuals are not only not a help, they are no more than a confusing hinderace.

Powder primer temperature humidity or controlled environment as well as cases will always be variable's ." Guns " ? I seriously doubt that !. Test barrels are not what one could consider a Gun . Unless things have changed drastically over the years ? !.

As I've ALWAYS stated ; The 5% rule is something no one can control with absolute certainty !. Powder 3% Primer 2% the rest we all have an equal shot at !!!.

Doc,
using test barrels is RATHER new .. in fact, most of the reloading manuals, befor, say, 1995, say what GUN they are tested in .. and frequently today the pistols says which GUN, not test barrel ... my brand new hornady manual still lists the gun used, sir .. in all loads ...

quote:

all component changes are tivial in comparision to that.

Changing components is not trivial. Changing brands of brass can have a huge effect. 3% is considered acceptable variation in powder lots.
I've chronographed loads 100 fps apart, same gun, same day, only thing different was the primers.

Add up a few of these little differences, and it's no longer trivial....

Different ballisticians and companies have different criteria for establishing min and max loads. Moreover, it is very important that they vary in their philosophy regarding product liability - some being more conservative and worried about law suits than others.

I find the Nosler and Barnes reloading manuals to be the best - essentially the only two I read. But, I work up my own loads.

Regards, AIU