Speer load book roller coaster 1970-1998

Clark · August 20, 2000, 11:59 PM

"NEVER EXCEED RECOMMENDED LOADS" [Speer's capitols]
"Speer 8" 1970 44mag 240 gr JSP 24.0 gr 2400 1574 fps
"Speer 9" 1974 44mag 240 gr JSP 19.5 gr 2400 1344 fps
"Speer 11" 1987 44mag 240 gr JSP&MSP 22.2 gr 2400 1452 fps
"Speer 12" 1994 44mag 240 gr JSP&MSP 17.7 gr 2400 1271 fps
"Speer 13" 1998 44mag 240 gr JSP&MSP 21.0 gr 2400 1434 fps

Hutch · August 21, 2000, 09:33 AM

Clark, if you have access to a Speer #8, I'd love to pick your brain. I've heard it's the last of the really intrepid recipe books. If you'd SELL a number 8, I'd be delighted.

Contender · August 21, 2000, 10:36 AM

From what I have read about it, in the earlier years, Speer worked up data for some guns without really doing pressure measurements and just left it up to the Ballistician to make a judgement call on the load's quality, safety, etc.(Three load ranges) Other's were not re-evaluated for many years.

Now Speer is changing over to Piezo-electric pressure testing and is phasing out the copper-crusher methods gradually. This has lead to the later editions with some toned down loads. The 357 Mag is one noteworthy one.

I try to match the approximate time I purchased my smokeless powder to the approximate edition of the reloading manual publication dates.

This is a reasonably half assed way of matching a powder lot year to the load data time frame.

Follow normal safety considerations also.

Have Fun

Cheapo · August 21, 2000, 01:16 PM

Didn't we all just do this thing a few weeks ago?

**Mal H** · August 21, 2000, 02:28 PM

Clark, here's another data point for you from Speer #7, 1966:

44mag 240 gr JSP 23.0 gr 2400 1564 fps

Paul B. · August 21, 2000, 02:48 PM

Well just my .02 worth, but I used to use Elmer keith's pet load for the .44 magnum. I've had to reduce that load by 2.0 grains. Pressures with Alliant's version of #2400 seems to be faster burning, that when Hercules made it. My pet load for "N" frame Smith's in .357 magnum had to be reduced by 1.5 grains of Alliant's version of #2400.
I do agree that better pressure testing systems may be part of the reduction in powder charges, but I also agree that the lawyers have done some of the screwing up of load data as well.
Another powder that seems to be faster burning is IMR-4895. I had a sweet load for 150 gr. Sierra's with that powder, and now IMR's version is faster burning than Du Pont's was. (At least in my rifles.)
All I can say now is, "Ya'll be careful now."
Paul B.

Southla1 · August 21, 2000, 04:38 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hutch:
Clark, if you have access to a Speer #8, I'd love to pick your brain. I've heard it's the last of the really intrepid recipe books. If you'd SELL a number 8, I'd be delighted.[/quote]

Hutch, try checking E-bay. Go to sports, then hunting, and do a search on Speer (or Hornady or whatever). I lost my Speer #7 (and my Hornady II)in Hurricane Andrew and was devastated, knowing that I could never replace them....WRONG!

Not only did I replace them but I also got some other older books too! You may have to wait a week or so for what you are looking for to show up but I promise it will show up.

------------------
Carlyle Hebert

August 20, 2000, 11:59 PM	#1
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	"NEVER EXCEED RECOMMENDED LOADS" [Speer's capitols] "Speer 8" 1970 44mag 240 gr JSP 24.0 gr 2400 1574 fps "Speer 9" 1974 44mag 240 gr JSP 19.5 gr 2400 1344 fps "Speer 11" 1987 44mag 240 gr JSP&MSP 22.2 gr 2400 1452 fps "Speer 12" 1994 44mag 240 gr JSP&MSP 17.7 gr 2400 1271 fps "Speer 13" 1998 44mag 240 gr JSP&MSP 21.0 gr 2400 1434 fps

August 21, 2000, 09:33 AM	#2
Hutch Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 1,124	Clark, if you have access to a Speer #8, I'd love to pick your brain. I've heard it's the last of the really intrepid recipe books. If you'd SELL a number 8, I'd be delighted.

August 21, 2000, 10:36 AM	#3
Contender Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 1998 Location: NY Posts: 680	From what I have read about it, in the earlier years, Speer worked up data for some guns without really doing pressure measurements and just left it up to the Ballistician to make a judgement call on the load's quality, safety, etc.(Three load ranges) Other's were not re-evaluated for many years. Now Speer is changing over to Piezo-electric pressure testing and is phasing out the copper-crusher methods gradually. This has lead to the later editions with some toned down loads. The 357 Mag is one noteworthy one. I try to match the approximate time I purchased my smokeless powder to the approximate edition of the reloading manual publication dates. This is a reasonably half assed way of matching a powder lot year to the load data time frame. Follow normal safety considerations also. Have Fun

August 21, 2000, 01:16 PM	#4
Cheapo Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 1998 Posts: 986	Didn't we all just do this thing a few weeks ago?

August 21, 2000, 02:28 PM	#5
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,955	Clark, here's another data point for you from Speer #7, 1966: 44mag 240 gr JSP 23.0 gr 2400 1564 fps

August 21, 2000, 02:48 PM	#6
Paul B. Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 1999 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,802	Well just my .02 worth, but I used to use Elmer keith's pet load for the .44 magnum. I've had to reduce that load by 2.0 grains. Pressures with Alliant's version of #2400 seems to be faster burning, that when Hercules made it. My pet load for "N" frame Smith's in .357 magnum had to be reduced by 1.5 grains of Alliant's version of #2400. I do agree that better pressure testing systems may be part of the reduction in powder charges, but I also agree that the lawyers have done some of the screwing up of load data as well. Another powder that seems to be faster burning is IMR-4895. I had a sweet load for 150 gr. Sierra's with that powder, and now IMR's version is faster burning than Du Pont's was. (At least in my rifles.) All I can say now is, "Ya'll be careful now." Paul B.

August 21, 2000, 04:38 PM	#7
Southla1 Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 19, 2000 Location: Jeanerette, La. Near the Posts: 1,999	<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hutch: Clark, if you have access to a Speer #8, I'd love to pick your brain. I've heard it's the last of the really intrepid recipe books. If you'd SELL a number 8, I'd be delighted.[/quote] Hutch, try checking E-bay. Go to sports, then hunting, and do a search on Speer (or Hornady or whatever). I lost my Speer #7 (and my Hornady II)in Hurricane Andrew and was devastated, knowing that I could never replace them....WRONG! Not only did I replace them but I also got some other older books too! You may have to wait a week or so for what you are looking for to show up but I promise it will show up. ------------------ Carlyle Hebert