Powder Charge Variation .... Different Manuals

riverwalker76 · March 31, 2010, 03:59 PM

Why is there so much variation in manuals regarding different powder charges?

I am reloading .224 dia. , 62 gr. FMJBT and using Accurate 2230.

Accurate manual .... min - 20.4gr. & max - 22.8gr.

Lee Modern Rel. 2nd ed. ...... min - 21.3gr. & max - 23.7gr.

The minimum of the Lee recommendation is the 'midway' for the Accurate load, and the max is 1 gr. over max per the Accurate Manual.

Where's the middle ground?

I assume that they are all safe and tested loads, but this is the worst case I've seen in variations of charge weight.

Brian Pfleuger · March 31, 2010, 04:22 PM

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=399600

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396056

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385636

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=377490

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=338164

**Unclenick** · March 31, 2010, 04:45 PM

Much discussed and repeatedly explained. Follow the links above. Here's another one:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403738

Use the lowest starting load you can find and work up. They are not all necessarily safe in your particular gun. Just in the one the manual author used at the time. This thread is an example:

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402839

riverwalker76 · March 31, 2010, 04:50 PM

SO, if I'm using a Mini-14 to fire them I should load up a few rounds ... go out back and fire them to see if they are powerful enough to operate the slide? Check for pressure signs, and go up 3/10 of a grain until I'm happy with it?

**Unclenick** · March 31, 2010, 04:55 PM

Basically, that's it. Read Dan Newberry's site for a systematic method of finding best loads. Keep in mind that gas guns don't like excessive gas port pressure. That means using powder on the faster side of the range. For 40-55 grains bullets IMR or H 4198 are good gas gun powders. From 55 through 63 or so, I sometimes find Reloader 10X is a little better.

March 31, 2010, 03:59 PM	#1
riverwalker76 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 993	Powder Charge Variation .... Different Manuals Why is there so much variation in manuals regarding different powder charges? I am reloading .224 dia. , 62 gr. FMJBT and using Accurate 2230. Accurate manual .... min - 20.4gr. & max - 22.8gr. Lee Modern Rel. 2nd ed. ...... min - 21.3gr. & max - 23.7gr. The minimum of the Lee recommendation is the 'midway' for the Accurate load, and the max is 1 gr. over max per the Accurate Manual. Where's the middle ground? I assume that they are all safe and tested loads, but this is the worst case I've seen in variations of charge weight.

March 31, 2010, 04:22 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=399600 http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=396056 http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385636 http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=377490 http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=338164 __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

March 31, 2010, 04:45 PM	#3
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Much discussed and repeatedly explained. Follow the links above. Here's another one: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=403738 Use the lowest starting load you can find and work up. They are not all necessarily safe in your particular gun. Just in the one the manual author used at the time. This thread is an example: http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=402839 __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; March 31, 2010 at 04:52 PM.

March 31, 2010, 04:55 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Basically, that's it. Read Dan Newberry's site for a systematic method of finding best loads. Keep in mind that gas guns don't like excessive gas port pressure. That means using powder on the faster side of the range. For 40-55 grains bullets IMR or H 4198 are good gas gun powders. From 55 through 63 or so, I sometimes find Reloader 10X is a little better. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 31, 2010, 04:50 PM	#4
riverwalker76 Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 993	SO, if I'm using a Mini-14 to fire them I should load up a few rounds ... go out back and fire them to see if they are powerful enough to operate the slide? Check for pressure signs, and go up 3/10 of a grain until I'm happy with it?