[poorboy]

I've been using the computer for my loading info from hodgen site and alliants. Well the other day i was looking up 22-250 load info in my old speer book. Well this book is like 12 years old now. And there was a big difference in the max charges. So my question is how often should a man get a new book.I just use my old books for other reference.

 

[flintknapper]

That's a great question. I've got access to 4 or 5 manuals, some of which are sorta "aged." Bought a new Hornady manual a couple of years ago and noticed lots of differences between it and the older manuals. I've decided to use the newest recipes when they don't agree with the old ones.

Research and testing is constantly ongoing. It stands to reason that the info from the latest tests, using the newest instruments and equipment, should be the most accurate. As always, start well short of max and work your way upwards very carefully.

 

[Ekspurt]

I think there are two reasons for this.

One: Product liability lawyers being what they are, it's a C.Y.A.

Two: Powder companies' formulations may have changed slightly over the years and your dad's IMR 4895 may not be your IMR 4895.

 

[Ozark Red Neck]

I have noticed also the information contained in the Speer manuals will just about always be considerable higher in powder loads than any of the other manuals. Lee seems to be the lightest and most incomplete of the ones i have looked at. I have loaded 270 rifle , 40& 380 pistols, according to the Speer load data and never had any trouble as far as bulged, split, primers, cases,etc.

I don't know if we have any better research and testing compared to 10 or 12 years ago, or just better lawyers finding easier ways to win law suites. I personally called Speer about their load data on the 380 because they state to start a 90grn. XTP bullet with 3.6 gr. of W231 powder where as Hornady states this charge as their max. load, Speer still stands by their data as being within the SAAMI pressure limits. i have loaded to Speers max. loads , but always stayed 2 gr. under without any problems. As stated above, it would be wise to get several books, and experiment with the loads and be careful.

 

[Ozark Red Neck]

[QUOTE=Ozark Red Neck;1420679 i have loaded to Speers max. loads

meant to say I have never loaded max. loads.

 

[poorboy]

Well thats the same book Speer number 12. I was looking at a 22-250 with a 55 grain load was 36 grains ofIMR 3031
But go to hodgens site they say 34.1 grains is max.Even my 300 mag is off 4.5 grains i now my book is old and like i said i just use it for referance.wonder how often they change up?

 

[Nocked]

I would think the companys are more conservative due to

One: Product liability lawyers being what they are,

I have some manuals that go back 20+ years and they are more agressive than my latest manuals.
I have not bought a new manual since I started using Nosler bullets and Hodgden Powder bullets about 10 years ago.

 

[WillyB71]

Even if you look at all brand new manuals, the loads still vary from book to book.

That's the reason you always start somewhere well below the max & work up.

 

[Ekspurt]

I think I just figured it out. Smokeless powder is made of nitrocellulose. Cellulose comes from plant fiber such as wood. The tree huggers on the campfire thread are protesting so much, the powder manufacturers are trying to reduce the amount of powder we use to save trees.

 

[poorboy]

Dang tree huggers lol.Ya i've always worked my loads up. but on the SPEER site they still pretty much the same

 

[Nocked]

Even if you look at all brand new manuals, the loads still vary from book to book.

You know if you take the same charge and mix cases, primers, bullet seating depth, length of case , how tite the neck is holding the bullet, barrel length, barrell manufacture, and on and on you will see different pressures.
If all of the companys doing the testing used all of the same exact componets I would expect to see the differances in charges much smaller.