Nosler vs Hodgdon load data, WAY different

[Jurome]

Hi there,

It's nothing new, the variations in load data between Nosler and the manuals (editions), Hodgdon site, bullet manufacturers, etc... Most of the group know how to navigate the waters of such, find a good place to start and then slowly start working your way up, safely. However, last night, I found a very strange, if not , out of this solar system delta (difference). Worthy of mention.

Normally one source or the other might have slightly higher or lower data, and as we all do, use your experience, analyze, find a charge that fits both criteria, somewhat near the bottom of the charge, then go from there. However, last night I had a good laugh when I found this one. This is my new personal best/find for a major difference in load data.

6.5 Creedmoor, Nosler 130 grain AccuBond, Win 760 powder:
Nosler: 40.0 - 44.0 grains
Hodgdon: 35.4 - 39.3 grains

This is the very first time I have ever seen one source's start charge exceed the others' max charge lol.

I have used hundeds of Nosler data successfully for a long time...I am fairly certain I can start near the bottom of this Nosler recipe somewhere and figure it out. I was just thinking of a new reloader with minimal experience stumbling into this one... I see that Hodgdon test OAL was seated deeper, which could play into it somewhat.

 

[Ralt71]

As you mentioned, it's all relative. I would look at what case the two are using, what primer, ensure the barrel lengths and also take note that Hodgdons typically stops around 60k on PSI where Nosler may push closer to the edge of 62k. I remember seeing a load in one of their magazines that had the ceiling charge with only 59k. They left a lot on the table there.

 

[Jurome]

Good points. Both 24" barrels 1:8" different primers and brass...and Hodgdon stops at 60K like you mentioned.
But wow...of all the differences I have seen between sources, this one is the king lol.

 

[SJB358]

For sure. I see it all the time. One of the ones Nosler publishes is around 59 grains of H4831 with a 270 Win and 130. They show that as a 3100+ load and I haven’t as of yet ran across any rifle that’ll get more than about 2900-2950 with the load. Not a big deal as deer and elk will still succumb to the load but I’ve never seen any 270 balk at 3100+ with H4831 with 22” barrels. There are a few others but you all are right that it pays to research a few places to see what the data says.

 

[Jurome]

For sure. I see it all the time. One of the ones Nosler publishes is around 59 grains of H4831 with a 270 Win and 130. They show that as a 3100+ load and I haven’t as of yet ran across any rifle that’ll get more than about 2900-2950 with the load. Not a big deal as deer and elk will still succumb to the load but I’ve never seen any 270 balk at 3100+ with H4831 with 22” barrels. There are a few others but you all are right that it pays to research a few places to see what the data says.

I 100% agree with you...I too have played with that .270 load and my start charge was 300fps or more slower than theirs! Granted I am at sea level below freezing temps and it was very dense air, but nowhere close.

 

[Guy Miner]

Another big one was years ago when Varget was fairly new and 308 shooters, like me, were flocking to it.

Sierra and Hodgdon had two entirely different ideas of what a max charge weight was for the 308 with a classic 168 grain target bullet... Several grains apart. Me being a bit of a velocity junkie - I went with the Hodgdon data and had no problems at all. Even did real well in several matches using ammo loaded that way.

Then there's Hodgdon's 45-70 Marlin lever action data... Whoo Boy! Top end load puts a 400 gr Speer out the muzzle at just over 2,000 fps! Yes, I've loaded and shot it. Not doing that again.... LOL! Way over anybody else's "lever gun" data...

Guy

 

[JD338]

Another big one was years ago when Varget was fairly new and 308 shooters, like me, were flocking to it.

Sierra and Hodgdon had two entirely different ideas of what a max charge weight was for the 308 with a classic 168 grain target bullet... Several grains apart. Me being a bit of a velocity junkie - I went with the Hodgdon data and had no problems at all. Even did real well in several matches using ammo loaded that way.

Then there's Hodgdon's 45-70 Marlin lever action data... Whoo Boy! Top end load puts a 400 gr Sierra out the muzzle at just over 2,000 fps! Yes, I've loaded and shot it. Not doing that again.... LOL! Way over anybody else's "lever gun" data...

Guy

Varget and the 308 is fantastic!
45-70 loads are anything from mild to wild.
I shot a few 400 gr loads around 1850 fps from the 1895 Guide and they were exhilarating!

JD338

 

[Heavy Barrel]

I ran into something similar a couple weeks ago with my .270 WSM.

Both Hodgdon and Lyman manuals list 68gr-71gr of Retumbo with a 140gr projectile, both publications show velocities ranging from the upper 2900's to the lower 3100's, whereas Sierra's most recent publication lists 61gr-67gr. for the same velocities.

Shooting loads based on the Hodgdon/Lyman data I was getting early signs of excess pressure at the 69gr/69.5gr point with velocities 300fps faster than the published data.