Can you safely substitute a lighter bullet ?

[watkibe]

Let's say I have good data for a 240gr LSWC using Unique in the 44 magnum caliber, but I only have 210 grain cast RNFPs. Is it safe to use the data with the lighter bullet ? Will it generate more or less pressure than the 240 gr load does ?

This IS one of my questions whose answer I am in no doubt about, and I post it just to foster lively debate, and the recounting of experiences so that we all may benefit.

Notice I said "safe", not accurate, faster, more accurate...just safe.

[noylj]

Any time you can't find any data for the bullet weight you have (can be common with boolits), you can always substitute data for a heavier bullet.
You will get less pressure, but you should still start with the starting load. Also, for cast bullets, a 200gn bullet equals a 205gn bullet, so don't sweat a couple of grains difference.
Also, don't use jacketed data for cast or swaged lead.
Just remember...always start at the starting load and work up, inspecting your cases for pressure signs.

[44man]

The key is "starting load" for the lighter boolit. When using ball powders, do not load less.

[tommygirlMT]

With the exception of a few powders in a few situations --- yes

Now for example --- if you were to load a 195 using 240 load data with H110/W296 --- even if you used the max load for the 240 with the 195 you still might be too low for a safe start load since that powder is just about the most tempermental stuff there is for needing exact narrow charge range --- and anything lower or higher can be dangerous --- other ball powders and even a few non ball powders have similar problem but not as bad --- H110/W296 probably not a good idea to go more then about 1/10 reduction in weight difference if even that --- also Reloader 19 for rifles is pretty nasty too as far as misbehaving itself with reduced charges or reduced boolit weight

[303Guy]

My first thought was "Of course you can!" - it's still early on a Sunday morning here and I've only just had my first cup of coffee! Then I start to engage brain and realise no as stated in posts above. I found that with rifle, some powders do not burn completely with a lighter boolit and this could be dangerous from a SEE aspect. I'm not even talking 'narrow band' powders but simply slow burning powders. I've witnessed 'fizz-bang' ignition with the use of the wrong powder in a rifle. I quietly moved to a safer distance behind the shooter who carried on firing them.

[canyon-ghost]

Did the same thing here in 44 Special. Load data for a 245 grain down to 200 grain. I had to drop .2 powder from the Unique, and it worked good. Unique is easy to trade bullets on .

Ron

[1Shirt]

I think along the line of 303 guy and Tommygirl! It's a yes, possible no, and occaisional maybe. When in doubt follow published load data!
1shirt!

[c3d4b2]

When I started shooting matches I settled on 77 grain bullets for 200 & 300 yards and 80 grain bullets for 600 yards. I had a bit of a surprise when the 80 grain recommended loads were higher than the 77 grain loads. After asking several questions, the reason given was the 80 grain bullets had a smaller bearing surface could be loaded with more powder.

[noylj]

I don't know where the fear of H110/296 comes from.
You load light because the powder will simply not burn.
You will have a congealed mess of fused powder in the case and barrel.
Of course, if you tried another round with a wad of congealed powder in your barrel, you might have a REAL problem.
Follow the loading warnings for a specific powder and don't brush all other similar powder with the same brush.
My own prejudice is any powder that I can't reduce the charge on or that has less than 1gn between start and MAX is a powder that I avoid, unless there is a REAL overwhelming reason to use it.

[tommygirlMT]

I don't know where the fear of H110/296 comes from.
You load light because the powder will simply not burn.
You will have a congealed mess of fused powder in the case and barrel.

<snip>

Obviously you have never had a hang fire with the stuff --- fiss --- bang --- and then the brass has to be hammered out of the cylinder with a punch pin and ball ping hammer and if it was a really bad one the brass tears itself apart and leaves a tube chunck stuck in the cylinder which is hell to get out --- been there done that --- I use AA9 or 2400 instead (on either side of H110/W296 via burn rate) and dont have those problems --- fool me once shame on you --- fool me twice shame on me

[nanuk]

I have always subscribed to a rule I read years ago, I cannot remember where/when/who wrote it...
( I tossed all my old gun magazines years ago )

you can always safely sub the NEXT Lower weight (I think the writer refered to 10% reduction) bullet of like manufacture using J-words

you can always safely sub cast next lower weight boolits. (Here, I think he talked about up to about 25%)

as I don't handload that much, and am just getting back into it more, I have never thought about going to the extreme as options have always been available.

if someone thinks this is a bad policy, please speak up.