Who's data do I trust? Hodgdon or Nosler?

[hubcap]

Start low and trust your judgment which BTW gets better with time.

100% correct. I have gotten away from trying to get the fastest load possible, just for the sake of speed. All it does is hurt you in the end with shorter case life, barrel wear, possible injury. That's why I like to work up till I get pressure signs then back off at least a half grain or so. As long as the accuracy is still there, whatever I'm shooting at isn't worried about the difference in fps.

You guys nailed it down. I also lost the desire for max velocity within reason of course. When I was working I did not care much about case life. Since I,m retired now I need the money for GAS.
OUCH.

 

[SJB358]

Start low and trust your judgment which BTW gets better with time.

That is pretty good words right there. I am still waiting on the judgement thing to come around, but I always try and start low! :twisted:

 

[300WSM]

I checked my distance to the lands more times than I can count and the longest I can seat a 60g Partition is 2.170. That is up against the lands. The first time I measured, something didn't work out as planned and i had my bullets jammed into the lands and accuracy was terrible! Thats when I remeasured over and over again and found 2.170 to be max. I am starting with Noslers lower charges and working my way up from there in the next few days. I ordered a chronny from Midway so I am putting this whole thing on hold until it gets here.

Ok but again I go back to the COAL which is according to SAAMI
The manuals print a max of 2.360 for this cartridge/bullet combo courtesy of SAAMI

This is why I am questioning this. Where is the other .190 in your example?

 

[bbearhntr]

I checked my distance to the lands more times than I can count and the longest I can seat a 60g Partition is 2.170. That is up against the lands. The first time I measured, something didn't work out as planned and i had my bullets jammed into the lands and accuracy was terrible! Thats when I remeasured over and over again and found 2.170 to be max. I am starting with Noslers lower charges and working my way up from there in the next few days. I ordered a chronny from Midway so I am putting this whole thing on hold until it gets here.

Ok but again I go back to the COAL which is according to SAAMI
The manuals print a max of 2.360 for this cartridge/bullet combo courtesy of SAAMI

This is why I am questioning this. Where is the other .190 in your example?

Different bullet profiles would allow one to achieve longer COAL without contacting the lands.

 

[Wincheringen]

Ive found most published data is very conservative. I have a the new Hornady load book and my starting loads for my 223 and 308 are their max loads. Hodgdon seems most accurate to me. I would go by their data. I have found it better though to usually go by the bullet makers data seeing how they test for their bullets only. Just start where you feel comfortable and go up till you find the sweet spot and who cares what the stupid book says and dont let all the people that just parrot info like "youre rifle is going to explode if you go over max" thats BS. Just be smart when loading, use good cases and use the books as a starting guide but not an end guide

:roll: All those professionally trained Ballisiticians don't know as much as this guy.