Thread: What are you using for pressure estimation in your handloads.

Hi @grandpamac...Yes we all need to read and re-read Hatchers Notebook.

Quickload is a very good analysis tool, but like all analytics BS in = BS out. So what I do for a new chambering is load somewhere in a mid range based on experience and research of that calibre from various sites on the internet. (Under-charging can be equally as dangerous as over-charging....research interior ballistics "Detonation" for an explanation of that.)

Obtain velocity from a reliable source like Labradar. Use that data to reverse engineer the software to align velocity with barrel length specs, case capacity, seating depth, bullet weight, charge weight etc. If the velocity doesn't align after setting all the other data some fine tuning of the powder burn rate is required or minor bullet weight adjustment to calibrate the output to match the velocity and powder charge. This calculation will provide chamber pressure for any cartridge listed and the pressures and velocities can be tailored from there to develop an accurate load. Once calibrated the progression is linear for powder charge and pressure.

Sorry,but it probably doesn't help much in explaining the basics to a new and inexperienced reloader. Without the facility to do the above one can only rely on published data and eventually experience like the bolt face engraving the cartridge base, tight bolt lift, tight cases, expanded primer pockets etc.

Full marks to you for your efforts to take some of the mystery out of this.....!