Factory vs Handload Velocity ?

[DRH1175]

Okay I have been doing a lot of research on my loads and I have a stupid question? Am I missing something. How come when you look at the balistic data on Winchester, Remington, and Federals pages They have a much higher FPS than what is in my reloading Manuals? Am I missing something are they using a way longer barrel or what? Can someone give me some guidence? Are my loads going to really be that much slower than what Factory loads are?

 

[JD338]

Speed sells!
Many "cook the books" as a marketing ploy. Longer barrels, tight chambers on universal receivers in lab conditions will often yeild higher velocities.
Work up accurate loads and don't worry about the speed. If you do it this way, you will place the bullet exactly where it need to be to do its job.
The animal will never know the difference in the speed.

JD338

 

[OU812]

Speed sells!
Many "cook the books" as a marketing ploy. Longer barrels, tight chambers on universal receivers in lab conditions will often yeild higher velocities.
Work up accurate loads and don't worry about the speed. If you do it this way, you will place the bullet exactly where it need to be to do its job.
The animal will never know the difference in the speed.

JD338

JD338 is 100% correct.

 

[Richracer1]

I agree with the other two. People place way to much importance on achieving velocity. I won't give up any accuracy in hopes of getting another 100 fps. The animals don't know the difference. The important part is consistent accuracy and be able to place the shot in the animals vitals. I develope my loads for the most accurate. I then chrono that load to find out the ballistics of that load and adjust my scope accordingly.

 

[FOTIS]

I agree with the other two. People place way to much importance on achieving velocity. I won't give up any accuracy in hopes of getting another 100 fps. The animals don't know the difference. The important part is consistent accuracy and be able to place the shot in the animals vitals. I develop my loads for the most accurate. I then chrono that load to find out the ballistics of that load and adjust my scope accordingly.

I totally agree with this statement. My only requirement as far as accuracy vs velocity goes is that the load must be able to perform accurately within certain parameters.

Example if my 300 win mag will shoot 180 gr Anythings into 1/2" at 2850 fps (and not faster) I will not keep this rifle. I bought it for performance and that is what I demand. This is basically a 30-06 so why keep a 300 win that shoots as "anemic" as an 06? More powder more money for the brass so why bother?

Who wants a 338 RUM that shoots 250 gr accurately but only at 2800 fps, not me.

 

[Greg Nolan]

I also agree that accuracy is king. One more note is that the velocities in the reloading manuals are also wishfull thinking. They are also developed with test barrels and chambers that give much higher velocities than the normal 22" barreled factory rifle. Oh well! If you can hit em where you want (as said) the animal won't know the difference.
Good Hunting
Elkhunt

 

[tjen]

And I would also add the factory specifacations are rounded up. Drasitly in some cases and when the SAM spec's are lowered for an older round they are not update in their publishings. Shoot some factory stuff through a chronagraf your hand loads maybe faster and most likely more accurate.

 

[C.Smith]

One more thing, the factories have access to custom blends of powder we don't. That certanly helps as well.

Corey

 

[DRH1175]

Ahh all makes sense is that also why they are always even FPS? Like 2200, 2700, 3100 etc... Makes sense. For my .30-30 the hornady manual says they used a Winchester M94 with a 20" barrel. From Federal you only get a 24" test Barrel. I am real happy with one of the loads I made up but not being at Max I was wondering if my load was sub par to a factory load. It deffinitly out shoots any of the factory loads I have in accuraccy but was wondering about the speed. thanks for all the insight!

 

[JD338]

DRH1175

"Cooking the books", marketing 101. :wink:

Sounds like you have a good load. Don't worry about the speed, accuracy is paramont. What is your load and what kind of accuracy are you getting?

JD338

 

[Ol` Joe]

The manufactures use loads that will give SAAMI spec pressures in SAAMI spec barrels and chambers, they also list the velocity they should get from this load and SAAMI spec test platform. This is a computed velocity I have heard, not clocked. You on the other hand, are shooting the loose chambered, unevenly bored rifle they offer with thoughts of keeping pressures well below the std by not risking a tight chamber which may cause problems, and won`t without luck come anywhere close to their listed velocity if chrono`ed.
Then again I`ve a Kimber M84 in 260 with a 22" BBL that shows a few fps over listed velocity with most loads, factory or reload I`ve run through it..Go figure :?