Max load questions.

[goodgorilla]

Why do people want to go for maximum loads? I mean, maximum loads are not necessarily the most accurate load? Secondly, how far do you back off your loads after seeing the first signs of over pressure? Only reason I could think why someone would want to go for maximum load over maximum accuracy is wanting to keep the bullet supersonic for shots that would normally fall sub sonic. I don't really know for sure, it's never been explained to me.

 

[fireEMT5]

You can read here - OCW Overview - Dan Newberry's OCW Load Development System lot of reloading sources/manuals list max. charges which I assume are for liability reasons and cover lots of guns, from old to new. Furthermore, you can read Dan Newberry's OCW method, and if you follow it accurately and safely, you'll see that you can work up to max. and then beyond if you see no pressure signs. A lot of folks follow this method, myself included and have found very accurate loads for our guns. This wasn't done necessarily just to get up to or beyond max load, rather it was done because a particular gun showed it liked and works well with that load. You can always work to find a load well below max. that shoots well too. However you may be giving up velocity and therefore range. Different strokes for different folks as they say.

 

[HodgdonExtreme]

I've always found it easier to find a great shooting load towards the top end. Always more difficult ( for me) to get a load tuned in that's weaker.

 

[Recreational Shooter WA]

I've always found it easier to find a great shooting load towards the top end. Always more difficult ( for me) to get a load tuned in that's weaker.

My experiences have shown the same.

Another reason to load in the upper range, but not necessarily the absolute maximum, is to take advantage of the full capabilities of the caliber. For example, if you are going to load a slow 300 win mag, why not just shoot a standard 30-06 load. If you are going to load a slow 30-06, might as well just shoot a .308. See where this is going?

 

[Mad_Charlie]

We do it to be ABLE to realize the maximum potential of a given cartridge, doesn't mean we always load to the absolute max.

As for myself, I want all the velocity I can get, consistent with all the accuracy I can get.

 

[goodgorilla]

Why would anyone want to use a hotter less accurate load than the optimal load? I know there are different nodes you can chase after. But I mean why would you want to go above them?

 

[BDA2]

I think for longer ranges loading to near max is the best route to take.. I look at my 400-600 yard .308 loads as "they'll get there when they get there."

Now.. If I was rollin' 1,000+ with a 6 something Creed... Yeah. High end speedy zooms.


EDIT: Funny... I've been a member for a year and this is my first post...

 

[jim_k]

It is done to reduce wind drift. That's all. I guess for long shots, a person might load hot in order to retain as much energy as possible, when hunting. That has not been a concern of mine, only the issue about wind drift. Then it's only relevant if you're shooting 500-600 yards or more, such as in an F-class match. When I'm just going to the range for some trigger time, and taking grandkids to shoot, I fill the case with TrailBoss and make a pistol cartridge out of it. Shoots just fine at 100 yds.
Jim

 

[MitchAlsup]

I have two 308 loads for my M40, one is a benchrest load, the other is a long range load.
Both loads use the same cases, primer powder, and bullet.

The benchrest load shoots 0.188 while the long range load runs 0.335.
The benchrest load is the first node above minimum at 44.6 gr Varget and runs 2625 fps.
The long range load is the last node before pressure at 47.8 gr Varget and runs 2925 fps.

The benchrest cases are limited by neck life (cracks), the long rang load is limited by body life (cracks, ICHS).

 

[TacticalBoltKnob]

I just use the highest node before pressure signs.

 

[Twoboxer]

Some people use max loads because they think it's cool.

Others use max loads because they need the velocity for the task the bullet will be given.

Some use max loads because they found it to be the most accurate load.

I've noticed that bullets penetrate paper pretty easily, and don't fall to the ground before reaching a target at 300 yds . . . so I tend to use the most accurate load I've found . . . or the lowest accurate load if two are more or less equal. No point in beating up firearms and components if the velocity isn't needed. Others have different needs.

 

[Clark]

They asked President Bill Clinton, "Why do men cheat on their wives?"
He said, "Because they can."
He was impeached.

They asked George Mallory "Why climb Mt Everest?"
He said, "Because it's there."
He died trying.

They asked me why I have been overloading 60 some cartridges for decades.
I say because I have a brain that can see the future.
And I have never been hurt.