So, if you have an accurate load that you worked up properly.. THEN your brass supply dries up and you have to change headstamps.... Do you have to rework another load from scratch? Can you simply adjust the powder in the new case (but keep seating depth) to match the velocity of the worked-up loads in the old case?
- Thread starter punkwood2k
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Loaded question (no pun intended).
Should you start over? Probably.
Do I? At the very least, I'll calculate -3% powder charge, load up a little mini-OCW spread, and re-verify the node. Unless you're going from Winchester brass (thin walled/light weight, high volume) to Federal or SSA (opposite of Win), I doubt you'll see a huge difference. Then again, I'm not walking a razor-thin fine line between safety and kaboom... my loads are well within the margin for safety.
All that said, will there be a difference? Absolutely.
Should you start over? Probably.
Do I? At the very least, I'll calculate -3% powder charge, load up a little mini-OCW spread, and re-verify the node. Unless you're going from Winchester brass (thin walled/light weight, high volume) to Federal or SSA (opposite of Win), I doubt you'll see a huge difference. Then again, I'm not walking a razor-thin fine line between safety and kaboom... my loads are well within the margin for safety.
All that said, will there be a difference? Absolutely.
yeah, I kinda figured that.. I'm just hoping I dont have to go through the entire Powder - seating depth - crimp - process again.. Hoping that the round will keep close to the same accuracy if I leave the seating depth and crimp alone, and just tweak the powder a bit to acheive the same velocity.
Your 'other' parameters (seating depth etc) should be GTG, I personally would want to re-verify a safe node before loading up a bunch of them.
So, do you guys have separate loads for every bullet / headstamp combo? I have 7 different kinds of headstamps right now :-(, a mixture of brass I saved from commercial ammo, once fired Lake City, and New Winchester or Federal Brass. Sucks that availability is so limited, because I can never find the same brass twice! Most likely, I'll end up loading everything in Lake City, since its the only thing available with any regularity (also, the least expensive option).. so I'll have to work from the bottom anyways because of the difference in case volume..
Question, what caliber/cartridge are you posting about?????
Example, I load 25 grains of H335 in mixed headstamp .223/5.56 cases in my AR15s and the pressure is well below maximum and good enough for 100 yard or less shooting.
Example, I load 25 grains of H335 in mixed headstamp .223/5.56 cases in my AR15s and the pressure is well below maximum and good enough for 100 yard or less shooting.
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I am loading .308, with 47.1gr of CFE 223 and 175gr Nosler CusComp. Chrono'd at 2800fps, for long range.
Rifles will usually like the same seating depth. If you know your FPS, I would try to duplicate that first. Primer, powder weight might be a tad off.
Chances are that your load in other cases will be very close, if not identical to your load that you have worked up. The only thing you have to be aware of is a possible decrease in case capacity, which could turn an otherwise normal load into a hot one. I had something very similar to this happen when I plugged my usual load into a case that needed to be sized down to a tighter chamber. It turned very hot. Same concept if going from thin brass to thick brass. For the other was around, it is not as crucial for safety reasons, but you might lose some velocity. Don't beat your head in over this stuff. Just load close to you usual load and test to see if it works.
Unfortunate that you need to keep a bunch of different brass. I wouldn't, but I did, once. So, this friend gave me a five gallon bucket of mixed, once fired 223. I went through it and loaded up some left overs, marked them on the magazines as to what bullets and powder used and there they sit. I have not shot that AR in 5 or 6 years but if things get radical, I have that plinking ammo/yeehaw! These won't zip through tissue like a FMJ.
But, if I had to, I would segregate them in lots based on headstamp. But that is still not "lot numbers" and I can't see where you would get real accuracy, unless some head stamps are very close in capacity?
That's what I would do, but it depends on your mission? BB
But, if I had to, I would segregate them in lots based on headstamp. But that is still not "lot numbers" and I can't see where you would get real accuracy, unless some head stamps are very close in capacity?
That's what I would do, but it depends on your mission? BB
The conservative answer would be to back down 3-5% and work back up. Seating depth shouldn't change unless you change bullets.
Honestly, do I do it? No. I also don't push my loads like some will and have enough of a buffer that I've never noticed the difference. If I was loading as temperamental cartridge as the 5.7 or a hot load well north of book max, then yes I would most certainly do a workup.
Honestly, do I do it? No. I also don't push my loads like some will and have enough of a buffer that I've never noticed the difference. If I was loading as temperamental cartridge as the 5.7 or a hot load well north of book max, then yes I would most certainly do a workup.
