Interpreting Rifle Load Data

[xvigauge]

Can data for a slightly heavier boolit (5 to 10 grains) be used to load a slightly lighter boolit? For example, can data for an 85 grain boolit be used to load an 80 grain boolit in .243 or 6 mm Remington? Also, can data for a 140 grain boolit be used to load a 130 grain boolit in the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser?
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[JSnover]

Probably, just stay away from the higher end of the charge weights. If you read the charts for different loads you can see where they overlap as the boolit weights go up or down. The best way to answer this question is to check more than one load manual. Post what you're working with, someone here can look it up in one of theirs.

[plainsman456]

It should be ok going from heavier to lighter,not the other way around.

[MBTcustom]

JSnover has it right. I keep a pretty extensive library of loading manuals written over the last 74-100 years, and I stock lots of powders that go way back. Just the other day I was trying to load up some 285gr bullets in 358 Winchester, and I couldn't find load data. I had to crack open 6 books, but one of the old Lyman's had a load for it sho nuff.

[Yodogsandman]

Yes, but start with the starting loads and work up carefully as with any other reloads. Don't get too hung up on specifics for the same general weights in rifles. Pistol ammo would be more sensitive due to the smaller cases/charges and could vary the loads quite a bit.

[jonas302]

You can load lighter what powders are you using hodgen has great data online, alliant, accurate, nosler all have good websites

[xvigauge]

You can load lighter what powders are you using hodgen has great data online, alliant, accurate, nosler all have good websites

Powders I have on hand that I believe would be suitable for rifle loads with cast boolits are IMR 3031, RL-7, and Unique. Other powders I have on hand are H322, IMR 4350, RL-22, Varget, CFE223, and Titewad.
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[xvigauge]

Probably, just stay away from the higher end of the charge weights. If you read the charts for different loads you can see where they overlap as the boolit weights go up or down. The best way to answer this question is to check more than one load manual. Post what you're working with, someone here can look it up in one of theirs.


I sure wish I had some data for CFE223 and Titewad for cast boolits in rifles. I load for the following cartridges, .222, .225, .243, 6 mm Remington, .257 Roberts, 6.5x55 Swedish, 7x57, .300 Savage, 7.65x53 Argentine, and 8x57. Any data with these two powders in any of these cartridges for any cast boolit weight would be greatly appreciated. I think the problem is that the CFE223 is just too new and there is just not a lot of data available for it. I'm not sure about Titewad.
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[largom]

I to have many loading manuals and in many cases they do not agree on loads of same powder and bullet do to different test barrels. Therefore Always start low and work up especially if using data for a different bullet.

Larry

[doc1876]

I called hodgdon concerning their CFE 223 for my 25 35 Winchester, they were very helpful. they did not seem to have any good loads for the 30-06