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-   -   Swapping Lehigh bullets into loaded ammunition (https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1843104)

crazy 02-02-2023 1:13 PM

Swapping Lehigh bullets into loaded ammunition
 
I already have loaded ammunition. Would it be safe to pull the bullets and replace with nonlead bullets off the same weight? Or would the be a kaboom in my face sentence.

Imageview 02-02-2023 2:41 PM

This would not be advisable.

Tommy Gun 02-02-2023 3:30 PM

Probably not a kaboom situation amd more of a pressure sign situation depending how hot you loaded them.

Sandspider500 02-02-2023 4:54 PM

Most non lead bullets are made of copper. Copper is almost 79% as dense as lead. So for an example, if you had a 147gr xtp 9mm bullet, and you had a company machine a bullet from copper that was an exact copy of that, it would weigh 115gr.

Another example, I have some Barnes 9mm 115gr hollow points, they have a large hollow cavity and are .693 long. I cast a 145gr deep hollow point bullet and it's .648 long.

What cartridge are you reloading for? Lehigh has load data if you need it.

Divernhunter 02-02-2023 6:18 PM

I would not advise that.

divingin 02-03-2023 7:27 AM

Are you talking about re-using the primed brass (i.e. standard reloading without the size and prime) or are you talking about Mexican Match reloading (keeping the existing powder charge and replacing just the bullet)?

In either case, cartridge, firearm type (and individual firearm), and reloading experience will all have a bearing on the decision.

Since you say replacing a lead bullet with a non-total-lead bullet, are you going solid copper or jacketed? Is this to come up with a hunting round, or simply to avoid shooting lead bullets?

If going all copper, the bullets are longer for an equivalent weight. In addition to overall length, reduced case capacity due to seating depth comes into play.

TLDR: If you don't know what you're doing, probably don't do it.

crazy 02-03-2023 10:22 AM

Thank you for the feedback. My intention was to load some rounds for pig hunting. Calibers would be .308, .270. I would like to load Lehigh all copper tree hugger friendly bullets. My thought was to use ammo that I have and just pull the bullets and seat and crimp the Lehigh. Replace the old with the new with the same weight. The reason for asking was to see if it would be safe. The consensus seems to be no. While I am not a handsome man, I would like to keep what little beauty I have left. So I will refrain.

crazy 02-03-2023 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandspider500 (Post 27614806)
Most non lead bullets are made of copper. Copper is almost 79% as dense as lead. So for an example, if you had a 147gr xtp 9mm bullet, and you had a company machine a bullet from copper that was an exact copy of that, it would weigh 115gr.

Another example, I have some Barnes 9mm 115gr hollow points, they have a large hollow cavity and are .693 long. I cast a 145gr deep hollow point bullet and it's .648 long.

What cartridge are you reloading for? Lehigh has load data if you need it.


I already stated that I am not a handsome man and maybe not the smartest either but your post confuses me. I had said that I would like to swap bullets for the same weight not size. I do understand that copper would be physically large.

Sandspider500 02-03-2023 11:42 AM

https://cdn.imagearchive.com/okshoot...atingDepth.jpg

https://i.imgur.io/uIUZpPE_d.webp?ma...idelity=medium

Okay, so you do understand that the copper bullet of the same weight will be longer. So you also understand what happens when you make the combustion chamber smaller right?

Imageview 02-03-2023 11:52 AM

For use in large game hunting the bullets need to be expanding as well as lead free. I have some 45-70 rounds I could use for squirrels but not pigs because they are lead feee but not expanding as an example.

crazy 02-03-2023 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandspider500 (Post 27616100)
https://cdn.imagearchive.com/okshoot...atingDepth.jpg

https://i.imgur.io/uIUZpPE_d.webp?ma...idelity=medium

Okay, so you do understand that the copper bullet of the same weight will be longer. So you also understand what happens when you make the combustion chamber smaller right?


From all the input, I have decided or have been convinced that this is not a good idea. I will load rounds starting from scratch.

Sandspider500 02-03-2023 12:51 PM

Are you swapping commercial loaded ammo or is it something you loaded?

crazy 02-03-2023 7:14 PM

I was thinking of doing this with commercial ammo but no more.

Sandspider500 02-04-2023 5:10 AM

Why wouldn't you just load your own with the data they provide?

Sandspider500 02-04-2023 10:23 AM

Interesting that if you look at the Barnes .308 175gr load data, most of the powder weights are the same, and sometimes exceeding the powder weights of the lead counterpart.

This is not the case for the Lehigh bullets, for what reason I don't know. The difference with the Lehigh data is as much as 5gr less powder for a 175gr.

Dirtlaw 02-04-2023 10:55 AM

I think Lehigh has guides. If not PM me and I will send the information that I have. That said .. I'm old so don't expect it tomorrow.

nedro 02-04-2023 11:21 AM

The sky is falling folk crack me up.
I have an AR in 6.8 SPC. I bought my action and Barrel from ARPerforance.
Then I found Remington 6.8 ammo and bought it. My rig wouldn't cycle.
Then I noticed hat the web site warns against sing the REM ammo. States that if you plan on using it, let them know and they will drill a larger gas port for you.

So I pulled all the bullets and took measurements.
Then I worked up the loads until I found the sweet spot. I used the same bullets and powder. I ended up with a bit more than 70% of the ammo I started with.

To this day, they were some of the most constant (and Accurate) loads I have produced for my 6.8. But I won't do it again. I have my recipes.

As the chart shows earlier in this thread. Take "everything" into account when you reload. And always work up the loads. Pretty simple.

crazy 02-04-2023 7:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandspider500 (Post 27617136)
Why wouldn't you just load your own with the data they provide?

Because I have ammo that I bought years ago for hunting that is not legal for hunting in California. I thought about swapping the bullets but wanted to ask.

therealnickb 02-04-2023 8:26 PM

Thanks for the thread. I had the exact same idea. Bought 500 rounds of fed 180gr 300 win mag a long time ago. Seems hard to believe there is no copper bullet available that can’t be swapped safely.

But… I have zero experience. So I’ll keep reading.

JagerDog 02-04-2023 9:15 PM

Glad you asked first. Ya, bad idea.

I'm a bit concerned that someone with the capacity to reload, didn't already understand the physics.

But, when going to copper, we tend to drop projectile weight. This helps keep the bullet "about" the same length as it's lead counterpart and increases the velocity for more reliable expansion. Early in the copper game folks stuck to same weight and wounded a lot of game due to lack of expansion.

Depending on the twist rate, you could have some real accuracy problems with same weight copper projectile as well. Longer bullets suggest faster twist rate.

Haven’t even got into how copper is generally tough for the rifling to engrave, increasing chamber pressure and likes a bit of “jump” to get going. So yeh, start low and work up.

crazy 02-10-2023 8:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JagerDog (Post 27618462)
Glad you asked first. Ya, bad idea.

I'm a bit concerned that someone with the capacity to reload, didn't already understand the physics.

But, when going to copper, we tend to drop projectile weight. This helps keep the bullet "about" the same length as it's lead counterpart and increases the velocity for more reliable expansion. Early in the copper game folks stuck to same weight and wounded a lot of game due to lack of expansion.

Depending on the twist rate, you could have some real accuracy problems with same weight copper projectile as well. Longer bullets suggest faster twist rate.

Haven’t even got into how copper is generally tough for the rifling to engrave, increasing chamber pressure and likes a bit of “jump” to get going. So yeh, start low and work up.

I already stated that I'm not handsome and not the smartest but now I need to know physics too. What about English or math? I am really getting tired of the snotty better than you attitude on calguns. I came here to ask and to learn. I had already decided after the first replies against it. What else do you want? Light myself on fire while jumping off a bridge?

ar15barrels 02-10-2023 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by therealnickb (Post 27618392)
Thanks for the thread. I had the exact same idea. Bought 500 rounds of fed 180gr 300 win mag a long time ago. Seems hard to believe there is no copper bullet available that can’t be swapped safely.

But… I have zero experience. So I’ll keep reading.

You could likely swap for a bullet of the same length but that bullet would be a lot lighter than the lead bullet and that would mean that the powder charge intended for the lead bullet would not be optimum.
Also, the starting pressure is higher on a solid copper bullet than a lead-core bullet since the copper bullet does not obturate as easily.
That's why you see most copper bullets constructed with driving bands to reduce the bearing area and ease obturation.

Now just for fun, lets play in quickload and substitute a similar length lead-free bullet for a standard bullet in a 300 win mag load:

First the 1.288" long lead bullet:
Code:

Cartridge          : .300 Win. Mag.(F)
Bullet            : .308, 180, Sierra SPBT 2160 G7 Litz
Useable Case Capaci: 82.639 grain H2O = 5.366 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder            : IMR 7828 SSC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.127% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge  Vel.  Energy  Pmax  Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %      %    Grains  fps  ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-00.9  100    78.00  3157    3985  61567  12188    99.3    1.197  ! Near Maximum !
-00.8  100    78.10  3162    3995  61843  12197    99.3    1.194  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.6  100    78.20  3166    4006  62122  12207    99.3    1.192  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.5  100    78.30  3170    4016  62401  12216    99.3    1.190  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.4  100    78.40  3174    4027  62681  12225    99.4    1.187  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.3  100    78.50  3178    4037  62962  12234    99.4    1.185 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Now the 1.283" long lead-free bullet:
Code:

Cartridge          : .300 Win. Mag.(F)
Bullet            : .308, 150, Barnes 'TSX'BT 30347
Useable Case Capaci: 81.651 grain H2O = 5.302 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder            : IMR 7828 SSC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.127% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge  Vel.  Energy  Pmax  Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %      %    Grains  fps  ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-00.9  101    78.00  3297    3620  56773  11676    96.6    1.155  ! Near Maximum !
-00.8  101    78.10  3301    3630  57020  11689    96.6    1.153  ! Near Maximum !
-00.6  101    78.20  3306    3640  57269  11702    96.7    1.150  ! Near Maximum !
-00.5  101    78.30  3310    3650  57519  11715    96.8    1.148  ! Near Maximum !
-00.4  101    78.40  3315    3660  57771  11728    96.8    1.146  ! Near Maximum !
-00.3  102    78.50  3320    3670  58023  11741    96.9    1.143  ! Near Maximum !

Now lets try a lead-free bullet of the same weight with the same powder charge and OAL as above:
Code:

Cartridge          : .300 Win. Mag.(F)
Bullet            : .308, 180, Barnes 'X' BT 30840
Useable Case Capaci: 79.643 grain H2O = 5.171 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder            : IMR 7828 SSC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.127% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge  Vel.  Energy  Pmax  Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %      %    Grains  fps  ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-00.9  103    78.00  3258    4242  71923  11907    99.8    1.127  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.8  104    78.10  3262    4253  72242  11914    99.8    1.125  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.6  104    78.20  3266    4264  72565  11920    99.8    1.122  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.5  104    78.30  3270    4274  72888  11927    99.8    1.120  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.4  104    78.40  3274    4285  73213  11934    99.8    1.118  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.3  104    78.50  3279    4296  73540  11940    99.8    1.116  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

And one more thing to try is to find a copper bullet that might be longer than the lead bullet but still lighter so as to balance the change in weight against the change in case capacity and get to a nice pressure with the same load as the 180gr lead bullet.
It turns out that the 165gr barnes TSX is 1.295" long and is possibly a good substitute for the 1.288" long 180gr sierra BTSP.
This is just with one specific powder and all theoretical as it's just playing with a computer model so don't go and actually try that substitution without working up proper loads...
Code:

Cartridge          : .300 Win. Mag.(F)
Bullet            : .308, 165, Barnes 'TSX'BT 30349
Useable Case Capaci: 81.429 grain H2O = 5.287 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder            : IMR 7828 SSC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.127% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge  Vel.  Energy  Pmax  Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %      %    Grains  fps  ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-00.9  101    78.00  3253    3878  61576  11943    98.5    1.158  ! Near Maximum !
-00.8  101    78.10  3258    3888  61851  11954    98.5    1.155  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.6  101    78.20  3262    3898  62124  11965    98.5    1.153  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.5  102    78.30  3266    3909  62397  11975    98.6    1.151  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.4  102    78.40  3271    3919  62674  11986    98.6    1.148  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.3  102    78.50  3275    3930  62950  11996    98.6    1.146  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!


crazy 02-11-2023 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ar15barrels (Post 27628555)
You could likely swap for a bullet of the same length but that bullet would be a lot lighter than the lead bullet and that would mean that the powder charge intended for the lead bullet would not be optimum.
Also, the starting pressure is higher on a solid copper bullet than a lead-core bullet since the copper bullet does not obturate as easily.
That's why you see most copper bullets constructed with driving bands to reduce the bearing area and ease obturation.

Now just for fun, lets play in quickload and substitute a similar length lead-free bullet for a standard bullet in a 300 win mag load:

First the 1.288" long lead bullet:
Code:

Cartridge          : .300 Win. Mag.(F)
Bullet            : .308, 180, Sierra SPBT 2160 G7 Litz
Useable Case Capaci: 82.639 grain H2O = 5.366 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder            : IMR 7828 SSC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.127% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge  Vel.  Energy  Pmax  Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %      %    Grains  fps  ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-00.9  100    78.00  3157    3985  61567  12188    99.3    1.197  ! Near Maximum !
-00.8  100    78.10  3162    3995  61843  12197    99.3    1.194  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.6  100    78.20  3166    4006  62122  12207    99.3    1.192  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.5  100    78.30  3170    4016  62401  12216    99.3    1.190  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.4  100    78.40  3174    4027  62681  12225    99.4    1.187  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.3  100    78.50  3178    4037  62962  12234    99.4    1.185 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Now the 1.283" long lead-free bullet:
Code:

Cartridge          : .300 Win. Mag.(F)
Bullet            : .308, 150, Barnes 'TSX'BT 30347
Useable Case Capaci: 81.651 grain H2O = 5.302 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder            : IMR 7828 SSC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.127% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge  Vel.  Energy  Pmax  Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %      %    Grains  fps  ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-00.9  101    78.00  3297    3620  56773  11676    96.6    1.155  ! Near Maximum !
-00.8  101    78.10  3301    3630  57020  11689    96.6    1.153  ! Near Maximum !
-00.6  101    78.20  3306    3640  57269  11702    96.7    1.150  ! Near Maximum !
-00.5  101    78.30  3310    3650  57519  11715    96.8    1.148  ! Near Maximum !
-00.4  101    78.40  3315    3660  57771  11728    96.8    1.146  ! Near Maximum !
-00.3  102    78.50  3320    3670  58023  11741    96.9    1.143  ! Near Maximum !

Now lets try a lead-free bullet of the same weight with the same powder charge and OAL as above:
Code:

Cartridge          : .300 Win. Mag.(F)
Bullet            : .308, 180, Barnes 'X' BT 30840
Useable Case Capaci: 79.643 grain H2O = 5.171 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder            : IMR 7828 SSC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.127% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge  Vel.  Energy  Pmax  Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %      %    Grains  fps  ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-00.9  103    78.00  3258    4242  71923  11907    99.8    1.127  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.8  104    78.10  3262    4253  72242  11914    99.8    1.125  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.6  104    78.20  3266    4264  72565  11920    99.8    1.122  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.5  104    78.30  3270    4274  72888  11927    99.8    1.120  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.4  104    78.40  3274    4285  73213  11934    99.8    1.118  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.3  104    78.50  3279    4296  73540  11940    99.8    1.116  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

And one more thing to try is to find a copper bullet that might be longer than the lead bullet but still lighter so as to balance the change in weight against the change in case capacity and get to a nice pressure with the same load as the 180gr lead bullet.
It turns out that the 165gr barnes TSX is 1.295" long and is possibly a good substitute for the 1.288" long 180gr sierra BTSP.
This is just with one specific powder and all theoretical as it's just playing with a computer model so don't go and actually try that substitution without working up proper loads...
Code:

Cartridge          : .300 Win. Mag.(F)
Bullet            : .308, 165, Barnes 'TSX'BT 30349
Useable Case Capaci: 81.429 grain H2O = 5.287 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder            : IMR 7828 SSC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.127% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge  Vel.  Energy  Pmax  Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %      %    Grains  fps  ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-00.9  101    78.00  3253    3878  61576  11943    98.5    1.158  ! Near Maximum !
-00.8  101    78.10  3258    3888  61851  11954    98.5    1.155  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.6  101    78.20  3262    3898  62124  11965    98.5    1.153  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.5  102    78.30  3266    3909  62397  11975    98.6    1.151  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.4  102    78.40  3271    3919  62674  11986    98.6    1.148  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
-00.3  102    78.50  3275    3930  62950  11996    98.6    1.146  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!



Thank you for this insightful and educational reply.

therealnickb 02-11-2023 10:34 AM

Yeah, thanks Randall! Those tables help a lot. Definitely going to hold off on any near maximum experiments until I full understand what I’m doing.

JagerDog 02-11-2023 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy (Post 27628414)
I already stated that I'm not handsome and not the smartest but now I need to know physics too. What about English or math? I am really getting tired of the snotty better than you attitude on calguns. I came here to ask and to learn. I had already decided after the first replies against it. What else do you want? Light myself on fire while jumping off a bridge?

OK child.

It's not "snotty" to suggest you understand what you're playing with and have the knowledge based intuition to make wise choices. No one expects one to be a ballistician to reload ammo, but when working "off-grid" you need an understanding of the physics. Even without Randall's LoadData modeling, the results are as anticipated. Same propellant in a smaller space sends pressure to the moon quickly. Most everyone who replied, understands this. Are they Physics PhD's or ballisticians? Not likely.

1) You don't put significantly longer projectiles to the same COAL and expect good things to happen.

2) When "converting" from lead to copper ammo, go down in projectile mass for best results (performance and often accuracy).


I'll add copper tends to a different profile, so OAL that fits your chamber tends to change. And copper likes a bit of "jump", reducing case capacity even further.

JackEllis 02-11-2023 2:47 PM

OP, I'm going to step in and referee a bit.

None of us wants to see anyone hurt. I'm not nearly as experienced as most of the people who have posted but I'll tell a little story that's worth keeping in the back of your mind.

For hunting I chose .308 diameter 150 grain Hornady GMX bullets and proceeded to work up a load using the recommended procedures and Hornady's data, which happens to be identical for all of their 150 grain bullets. At abut halfway between recommended minimum and maximum powder charge weights for the powder I was using, I started seeing cratering in the primers and muzzle velocities that were comparable to max charge weight in the factory load data, whereupon I stopped testing the hotter loads. The lesson for me was, be very careful. Nothing bad happened and I want to keep it that way.

If some of the folks who respond to your posts seem a bit huffy, they probably look like me: what's left of their hair is gray, the have wrinkles, and their time on this earth has made them cynics and curmudgeons. Try to pick out the useful nuggets of information and just let the rest wash over you.

I've learned most of what I know about reloading by reading posts in in this forum and teasing out the pearls of wisdom. I'm not any better looking and some days I feel like an unusual number of marbles have escaped but at least my face is intact.

roostersgt 02-19-2023 7:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackEllis (Post 27629563)
OP, I'm going to step in and referee a bit.

None of us wants to see anyone hurt. I'm not nearly as experienced as most of the people who have posted but I'll tell a little story that's worth keeping in the back of your mind.

For hunting I chose .308 diameter 150 grain Hornady GMX bullets and proceeded to work up a load using the recommended procedures and Hornady's data, which happens to be identical for all of their 150 grain bullets. At abut halfway between recommended minimum and maximum powder charge weights for the powder I was using, I started seeing cratering in the primers and muzzle velocities that were comparable to max charge weight in the factory load data, whereupon I stopped testing the hotter loads. The lesson for me was, be very careful. Nothing bad happened and I want to keep it that way.

If some of the folks who respond to your posts seem a bit huffy, they probably look like me: what's left of their hair is gray, the have wrinkles, and their time on this earth has made them cynics and curmudgeons. Try to pick out the useful nuggets of information and just let the rest wash over you.

I've learned most of what I know about reloading by reading posts in in this forum and teasing out the pearls of wisdom. I'm not any better looking and some days I feel like an unusual number of marbles have escaped but at least my face is intact.

I was noticing the same thing, but with Barnes TTSX bullets. The COAL is same as for all 308s of 150grns SP, 2.081 and the starting load with Varget is the same at 41-46 grs. I load all my 308s of that weight to 43.6 for accuracy and have loaded to 44 grs with no signs of pressure. While its probably not a good idea, for all the reasons already mentioned, it must be noted that standard lead bullets of the same weight use the same parameters as the copper bullets Ive loaded. Most hunters after WWII pulled the FMJ bullets out of the surplus ammo and replaced them with the same weight/type soft points with no problem either. With all this said, Id just pull the bullets, dump the powder, and use my own powder and copper bullets to be on the safe side. Not much savings for the risk taken.

Tripplet918 02-21-2023 7:24 AM

I dont know what your motivation is and if its justified.

Why not….

1) shoot the loaded ammo, collect the cases, then load the Lehigh projectiles? You get to shoot for the cost of the primer and powder. Once fired cases are awesome.

2) load the Lehigh projectiles into new cases. Youll end up with twice the ammo.

3) sell the loaded ammo and buy what you need.

Just sayin. Loading ammo is time and effort. What your planning to do seems to me like more work than necessary.

My worry is who knows what the powder is in the loaded ammo. Working up a load with unknown powder sounds like more work that what a pound of known and appropriate powder will cost.


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