Thread: Starting load development and would love help

Greetings All, @Pommy I agree that it is dangerous to copy loads from the internet or even data form old load data manuals some of which was never pressure tested but @Jukes request was for guidance based on our experience. I can find no fault in this whatsoever. Guidance based on experience is what I offered. I know it is wise to cross reference with data form a number of scources which is what I do for myself, often creating load data graphs to help understand some of the differences. I suggested that Jukes use the Hodgdon's pistol data as it more closely matched his barrel length and I had found the Hodgdons .308 data to be close to the mark from my own chronographing. The max load of 46 grains of AR2208 (Varget) for the 168 grain first appeared in Handloader in 1995 and is unchanged since. It was also for a spitzer boat tail very similar to the ELDM that Jukes was using. Jukes will develop data sorting skills over the years but for the moment uncomplicated reliable data is all that is needed.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings All, @Pommy I agree that it is dangerous to copy loads from the internet or even data form old load data manuals some of which was never pressure tested but @Jukes request was for guidance based on our experience. I can find no fault in this whatsoever. Guidance based on experience is what I offered. I know it is wise to cross reference with data form a number of scources which is what I do for myself, often creating load data graphs to help understand some of the differences. I suggested that Jukes use the Hodgdon's pistol data as it more closely matched his barrel length and I had found the Hodgdons .308 data to be close to the mark from my own chronographing. The max load of 46 grains of AR2208 (Varget) for the 168 grain first appeared in Handloader in 1995 and is unchanged since. It was also for a spitzer boat tail very similar to the ELDM that Jukes was using. Jukes will develop data sorting skills over the years but for the moment uncomplicated reliable data is all that is needed.
Regards Grandpamac.

Wasn't singling you out or anyone else who was offering information - I wanted to address OP and why they felt the need to seek it. When it comes to reloading, I strongly believe that the "teach a man to fish" approach is better than the alternative. Learning to figure out load data by yourself helps you become more self-reliant and it's a naturally more risk-averse approach. My experience therefore tells me to point beginners to a manual.

The 46gr max load is with Winchester brass which has heaps of capacity. OP is using ADI brass which is the other end of the spectrum - it's really thick and low capacity. I'd work up in much smaller increments than 2 full grains because there's a good chance of seeing an early onset of pressure signs.