Kindly explain light and hot loads

[Barang]

For Example: 40S&W 165gr = Light load? 40S&W 180gr = Hot load?

Thank you for educating me.

[Bug Splat]

Usually it refers to the amount of powder in a round. Less powder = lighter load. The bullet weight can also play a factor is Light-vs-Heavy felt recoil but generally it means the amount of powder.

[evlblkrfl]

It basically refers to the powder charge of a cartridge. Say you only have 7 grains of blue dot in your 180 grain .40 s&w. That would be a light load (slow fps and light recoil). On the other hand you could have 9 grains of powder for the same bullet. That would be a heavy load (fast fps heavy recoil). Something like that.

[XDRoX]

I don't get your example...

Hotter loads are loaded with more powder creating more pressure, more velocity, more kick, etc...

When loading rounds you have a range of powder choices and amounts. You can load a light load to barely function the gun or you can load it hotter.

Different weight bullets loaded with the same amount of powder, the heavier bullet will create more pressure creating more "kick."

However you can get a handgun to cycle easier with heavier bullets and less powder. So many times a hand loader will use heavier bullets to load very light loads. We call them mouse farts.

Hope that all makes sense.

[Barang]

at least now I have an idea what makes a cartridge light or hot. Thanks everyone.

Okay, one last question... Are factory ammo for exmple: Federal, Winchester, Remington and others, are they light or hot loads because the box doesn't say either way.

[003]

More information than you ever really wanted to know, but you may find it interesting.

Check out the SAMMI site - - it will answer many of your questions. They set the standards for sporting ammunition in the US. They standardize the specifications for all commercial ammunition made in the US. It will not be sold commerically if it is not SAMMI approved.

The more you get into shooting; you will hear terms like SAMMI spec vs NATO spec, etc. The European Union has a similar organization that sets/coordinators ammunition specification in Europe.

An example of SAMMI vs NATO is both of the current US military service rounds. .223/5.56 and .308/7.62. While both are very similar to each other, depending on who you talk to , or which books you read, they are/are not interchangeable.

Another example is commercial vs NATO 9mm ammunition. While both are completely interchangeable in all modern 9mm pistols, 9mm NATO is a bit hotter, very close to SAMMI spec 9mm +p.

http://www.saami.org/

The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) is an association of the nation's leading manufacturers of firearms, ammunition and components. SAAMI was founded in 1926 at the request of the federal government and tasked with:

•Creating and publishing industry standards for safety, interchangeability, reliability and quality

•Coordinating technical data

•Promoting safe and responsible firearms use


The work at SAAMI is accomplished by its committees. Technical excellence is always our goal and safety is always the prerequisite.

SAAMI supports science-based solutions to the many issues related to firearms, ammunition and components. Who We Are contains specific information and a description of the function of each committee.

[XDRoX]

at least now I have an idea what makes a cartridge light or hot. Thanks everyone.

Okay, one last question... Are factory ammo for exmple: Federal, Winchester, Remington and others, are they light or hot loads because the box doesn't say either way.

In general factory loads are more hot than not. They want to make sure their loads function in a variety of guns.

It's common for a person to start reloading their own ammo and soon realize that ammo doesn't have to kick as much as factory ammo to get guns to function or to be accurate.

Consider taking up reloading. It's a full hobby in itself.

[Barang]

Thanks for the link 003.

In general factory loads are more hot than not. They want to make sure their loads function in a variety of guns.

It's common for a person to start reloading their own ammo and soon realize that ammo doesn't have to kick as much as factory ammo to get guns to function or to be accurate.

Consider taking up reloading. It's a full hobby in itself.

My wife and I collect all the empty case at the range even though I don't know how to reload. But someday I might want to learn it.

[bigbearbear]

My wife and I collect all the empty case at the range even though I don't know how to reload. But someday I might want to learn it.

If you buy from Freedom Ammunition, you can also use their brass credit program to get additional savings.

http://www.freedommunitions.com/Brass-Credit-Program-s/48072.htm

They pay $2.50 per pound for brass and you can use the credit to buy ammo from them.

[Barang]

Thanks bigbear, I'm going to check the website now.

[RickD427]

More information than you ever really wanted to know, but you may find it interesting.

Check out the SAMMI site - - it will answer many of your questions. They set the standards for sporting ammunition in the US. They standardize the specifications for all commercial ammunition made in the US. It will not be sold commerically if it is not SAMMI approved.

The more you get into shooting; you will hear terms like SAMMI spec vs NATO spec, etc. The European Union has a similar organization that sets/coordinators ammunition specification in Europe.

An example of SAMMI vs NATO is both of the current US military service rounds. .223/5.56 and .308/7.62. While both are very similar to each other, depending on who you talk to , or which books you read, they are/are not interchangeable.

Another example is commercial vs NATO 9mm ammunition. While both are completely interchangeable in all modern 9mm pistols, 9mm NATO is a bit hotter, very close to SAMMI spec 9mm +p.

http://www.saami.org/

^^^^Good Info Here^^^^

Also please note that when you handload, you get a lot of control over your loads, and whether they will be on the "Hot" or "Light" side of the scale.

It's obvious that you need to be careful with "Hot" loads. They will function more reliably that light loads, but you also have to be respectful of pressure limits. Use established load data, never load in excess of that data, and always check your expended casing for signs of excess pressure. I was standing next to a gentleman when he blew up his Charter Arms .44 due to overly hot handloads. Never want to have that happen again.

You can also get into trouble with overly light loads, particularly with long, narrow cases. I've seen cases where folks use a light load in a .357 case. What happens is the powder settles along one side of the case leaving a gap along the upper side of the case. The primer fires and ignites the powder from the top of the case down, instead of from the back of the case forward. The powder burns faster than the load designer intended and you can get extreme pressure, even those less powder was used.