Conflicting info on 45acp

[Nick_C_S]

Add them all up and take the average

Clever.

And probably as good o method as any I've ever heard.

[std7mag]

I hate to point it out, buuuuuttttt.....

Nobody has yet to ask, or say what the Hodgdon manual says...

Don't just look to the bullet manufacturer, check out the powder manufacturer also.

[markr6754]

See Post #2

[BBarn]

Originally Posted by gwpercle

Here is my unscientific way :
get three or four max/min loads as you have done.
Add them all up and take the average , in this case : 6.5+6.9+3.5+5.8+5.0+5.9 = 33.6
33.6 divided by 6 = 5.6 grains. So my starting load would be 5.6.
I would load 10 or 15 each loaded with 5.5 , 5.6 and 5.7 grains and test them out at the range.
In the last 50 years I've found the middle of the road a good place to start...you notice 5.6 grains is not over any book's maximum load nor is it below any minimum load.
Experience has taught me those extremes are usually not the best and working up from the very absolute minimum is a waste of time powder and bullets. The middle is the baby bear place to start and most often is where I find my best loads.
Gary

The above averaging method puts the same weight on max charge as starting charge. Doesn't seem like a prudent way to establish a starting load.

[Jim Watson]

There is an Internet Confusion that the manual's starting load is a minimum load. It is not, it is usually just 90% of the maximum. Except for Lyman who takes some bullet and powder combinations way low, down to 7000 psi.

I am regularly loading below book level .45 ACP to spare my arthritis.

A $100 chronograph is a big help. Do not be surprised if your velocity is below the book's or less than factory; but be concerned if you get higher velocity. It can be a sign of a tight chamber or barrel or some fluke in the components.

[std7mag]

Oops. I thought Mike was refering to Hodgdon hp38 the powder, not Hodgdon the manual.

My bad.

Thanks Markr!