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ScottRiqui · February 26, 2012, 11:41 PM

I've noticed quite a few entries in the Lee manual where the starting load and max load are the same. As an example, with a .380 ACP 95 gr FMJ bullet, the entries for W231 and Unique both have starting loads that are the same as the max loads.

Does this really mean that I shouldn't go beyond the starting load, or does it just mean that the authors simply duplicated a "known safe" load without working it up themselves?

In the case of the W231 recipe, the resulting speed is 200 fps slower than some of the other powders listed for that bullet, with 6000 PSI lower pressure. That would lead me to believe that the "max" load isn't really the max, but I also know that increases in chamber pressure aren't always linear beyond a certain point.

February 26, 2012, 11:41 PM	#1
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	Starting load is equal to max load? I've noticed quite a few entries in the Lee manual where the starting load and max load are the same. As an example, with a .380 ACP 95 gr FMJ bullet, the entries for W231 and Unique both have starting loads that are the same as the max loads. Does this really mean that I shouldn't go beyond the starting load, or does it just mean that the authors simply duplicated a "known safe" load without working it up themselves? In the case of the W231 recipe, the resulting speed is 200 fps slower than some of the other powders listed for that bullet, with 6000 PSI lower pressure. That would lead me to believe that the "max" load isn't really the max, but I also know that increases in chamber pressure aren't always linear beyond a certain point.