Differences in reloading manuals for same bullet

SLOMountaineer · February 8, 2007, 06:33 PM

I am loading some .308 with Speer 110gr HP and Hodgdon H322. I have a Speer, Hodgdon, and Hornady manual. I prefer the Hornady manual and use it most of the time but I do cross-reference with the others. Here is my dilemma...they give much different recommendations:

Hornady Starting: 42.8-2900fps
Max: 47.2-3200fps

Speer: 37.0-2495
41.0-2794 (With a note: Velocities should be held to under 2900fps with this bullet) My box doesn't say "Varminter" but the Speer manual lists them as "Varminter". I checked Speers site and they only list one 110gr .30 rifle bullet so maybe I just have an older box before they put the "varminter" label on it.

Hodgdon: 43.0-2965
46.0-3229

Why the differences? I haven't checked other bullets/calibers yet. Whose manual should I go by?

Rimrod · February 8, 2007, 08:40 PM

The Hornady book is using Hornady bullets, you aren't so set it aside for now.

The Hodgdon book is using their powder with a Speep SP bullet, which isn't the bullet you are using, plus if you look at the COL they listed, it is longer than any Speer 110 gr load listed in the Speer manual. So set it aside for now.

Speer has the bullet you are using, my manual list 4 110 gr bullets, and data specific to it. It is listed seperate from the other 110 gr bullets due to the velocity restriction they placed on it. Use this data to start your loading.

SLOMountaineer · February 8, 2007, 09:40 PM

Thanks. I haven't reloaded for several years and just pulled my equipment out and dusted it off. As soon as I read your post it all came back to me. Don't worry, I won't blow myself up or anything. It isn't quite like getting on a bicycle after a few years.

Thanks also for not calling me an idiot.

Bullet94 · February 8, 2007, 10:37 PM

I believe an idiot would be someone with a question that they didn’t ask.

Rimrod · February 9, 2007, 12:00 AM

I can't call you an idiot, that's the guy my wife is married too. At least that's what she says.

SLOMountaineer · February 9, 2007, 01:37 AM

LOL! Same thing for the guy my wife is married to.

trooper3385 · February 12, 2007, 01:59 AM

I was kind of wondering the same thing too. On the bottle of Varget that I have, it recommends for a 308, 46 gr with the 168 gr Sierra Match Kings. In the Lyman 48th ed. that I have, it says that the max load is 45.7 for the 168 gr Sierra Match Kings. ?????

Rimrod · February 12, 2007, 12:54 PM

Trooper,

Looking at the Hodgdon manual and the Lyman #48, Hodgdon has a very slightly longer OAL, and the Lyman lists a higher pressure at their max. There are variables in the testing that may not be apparent or even explainable. This is why the manuals tell you to start lower than max and work your way up slowly.

Don H · February 12, 2007, 08:08 PM

Different companies use differing components and different fixtures to develop the pressures. Thus the loads vary.

amamnn · February 13, 2007, 02:14 AM

I think, if you find an apparent conflict, you'd be best served by using the data in the bullet makers' manuals than powder makers' listings. The bullet makers have a better sense of how the bullet bears on the neck and so on. I've seen some of the testing methods in use and have seen a bit of how much testing is actually accomplished by both.

February 8, 2007, 06:33 PM	#1
SLOMountaineer Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2006 Posts: 238	Differences in reloading manuals for same bullet I am loading some .308 with Speer 110gr HP and Hodgdon H322. I have a Speer, Hodgdon, and Hornady manual. I prefer the Hornady manual and use it most of the time but I do cross-reference with the others. Here is my dilemma...they give much different recommendations: Hornady Starting: 42.8-2900fps Max: 47.2-3200fps Speer: 37.0-2495 41.0-2794 (With a note: Velocities should be held to under 2900fps with this bullet) My box doesn't say "Varminter" but the Speer manual lists them as "Varminter". I checked Speers site and they only list one 110gr .30 rifle bullet so maybe I just have an older box before they put the "varminter" label on it. Hodgdon: 43.0-2965 46.0-3229 Why the differences? I haven't checked other bullets/calibers yet. Whose manual should I go by?

February 13, 2007, 02:14 AM	#10
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	I think, if you find an apparent conflict, you'd be best served by using the data in the bullet makers' manuals than powder makers' listings. The bullet makers have a better sense of how the bullet bears on the neck and so on. I've seen some of the testing methods in use and have seen a bit of how much testing is actually accomplished by both. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

February 8, 2007, 08:40 PM	#2
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	The Hornady book is using Hornady bullets, you aren't so set it aside for now. The Hodgdon book is using their powder with a Speep SP bullet, which isn't the bullet you are using, plus if you look at the COL they listed, it is longer than any Speer 110 gr load listed in the Speer manual. So set it aside for now. Speer has the bullet you are using, my manual list 4 110 gr bullets, and data specific to it. It is listed seperate from the other 110 gr bullets due to the velocity restriction they placed on it. Use this data to start your loading.

February 8, 2007, 09:40 PM	#3
SLOMountaineer Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2006 Posts: 238	Thanks. I haven't reloaded for several years and just pulled my equipment out and dusted it off. As soon as I read your post it all came back to me. Don't worry, I won't blow myself up or anything. It isn't quite like getting on a bicycle after a few years. Thanks also for not calling me an idiot.

February 8, 2007, 10:37 PM	#4
Bullet94 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 723	I believe an idiot would be someone with a question that they didn’t ask. __________________ PRO-SECOND AMENDMENT - Live Free or Die

February 9, 2007, 12:00 AM	#5
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	I can't call you an idiot, that's the guy my wife is married too. At least that's what she says.

February 9, 2007, 01:37 AM	#6
SLOMountaineer Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2006 Posts: 238	LOL! Same thing for the guy my wife is married to.

February 12, 2007, 01:59 AM	#7
trooper3385 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Location: South Texas Posts: 814	I was kind of wondering the same thing too. On the bottle of Varget that I have, it recommends for a 308, 46 gr with the 168 gr Sierra Match Kings. In the Lyman 48th ed. that I have, it says that the max load is 45.7 for the 168 gr Sierra Match Kings. ?????

February 12, 2007, 12:54 PM	#8
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	Trooper, Looking at the Hodgdon manual and the Lyman #48, Hodgdon has a very slightly longer OAL, and the Lyman lists a higher pressure at their max. There are variables in the testing that may not be apparent or even explainable. This is why the manuals tell you to start lower than max and work your way up slowly.

February 12, 2007, 08:08 PM	#9
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,704	Different companies use differing components and different fixtures to develop the pressures. Thus the loads vary.