Lighter bullets, more powder, why??

BigPig · April 2, 2000, 04:50 PM

While Im waiting for my reloading stuff to get here, Ive been reading a couple of manuals.

I notice that with lighter bullets, the powder charge increases. Im just wondering, why is this??
Thanks for your help.

Desert Dog · April 2, 2000, 05:11 PM

The same powder charge with a heavier bullet would increase the pressure... i.e., the bigger bullet takes longer to get moving and go out the barrel, thus the pressure would build HIGHER behind the heavy bullet...

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.45 Super... Fat and FAST...

"No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson

Southla1 · April 2, 2000, 07:05 PM

Excellent answer Desert Dog. a few other things big pig if you look closely at the different manuals you may notice that some charges are the same with 2 different type bullets. This may be due to many different things such as, a harder jacket, a longer bearing surface, they amound of freebore or maybe simply that the load was worked up in 2 different rifles one may have a tighter chamber than the other or more freebore. The prudent reloader always takes the lowest charge listed and backs off a few percent from that and then works up from there. If you have access to a chronograph use that too. Today they cost the same or less than a good powder measure.

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Carlyle

April 2, 2000, 04:50 PM	#1
BigPig Member Join Date: July 2, 1999 Posts: 93	While Im waiting for my reloading stuff to get here, Ive been reading a couple of manuals. I notice that with lighter bullets, the powder charge increases. Im just wondering, why is this?? Thanks for your help.

April 2, 2000, 05:11 PM	#2
Desert Dog Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 1999 Location: Deep East Texas Posts: 474	The same powder charge with a heavier bullet would increase the pressure... i.e., the bigger bullet takes longer to get moving and go out the barrel, thus the pressure would build HIGHER behind the heavy bullet... ------------------ .45 Super... Fat and FAST... "No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority" - Thomas Jefferson

April 2, 2000, 07:05 PM	#3
Southla1 Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 19, 2000 Location: Jeanerette, La. Near the Posts: 1,999	Excellent answer Desert Dog. a few other things big pig if you look closely at the different manuals you may notice that some charges are the same with 2 different type bullets. This may be due to many different things such as, a harder jacket, a longer bearing surface, they amound of freebore or maybe simply that the load was worked up in 2 different rifles one may have a tighter chamber than the other or more freebore. The prudent reloader always takes the lowest charge listed and backs off a few percent from that and then works up from there. If you have access to a chronograph use that too. Today they cost the same or less than a good powder measure. ------------------ Carlyle