Load Reduction

[CalNative57]

Ok still kinda a newbie at this. If the manual I'm using says "You must start 10% below the suggested load and work up..." if the charge is 7.3 is it correct to say 7.3 - 10 % = .73 then 7.3 - .73 = 6.57 or 6.5/6.6 grains.

Am I doing the math correctly or is my brain out to lunch?
I'd hate to ruin my Kimber.

[XDRoX]

You're math is correct. But doesn't your manual give a starting point and a max. I would just start a little higher than their starting load and you'll be fine.
The only way you are going to blow up your kimber is if you accidentally double load a round. All the ranges of loads specified in an up-to-date manual are all on the safer side. Loading any round in accordance to a good manual will be fine as long as everything else is the same as the manual also, bullet, primer, OAL, barrel, etc.

[Bug Splat]

Just start at the minimum recommended load in your manual and work your way up checking for pressure signs with each round. If you are looking for the best groups make 10 rounds of each load in .2gr increments and work you way up from Min to Max load till you find the charge that groups the way you want it.

I assume you are shooting a 45acp. 7.3 sounds like a lot of powder. What kind are you planning to use. Most powders I have used range from 3.5gr low to 6.5gr max.

[CalNative57]

Thanks guys for the info.
My apologies the 7.3 that was the max, using a ruler now to line things up...
I am loading .45 with WAP and 200 gr plated RN, WLP primer just for plinking/target right now. I'm using Win reloading data from their loadbooks and want to switch to 230 gr bullets of the same mfg and Win says 6.6 to 7.3 gr of WAP for RN lead so as long as I start at 6.6 and bump up in .2 increments, do my checks, I should be ok.

[Bug Splat]

Do they even make WAP anymore? I thought it was sent to the chopping block. unless you have many pounds of it you might want to build a load with powder you can still get like Reddot, Clay, titegroup, W231 to name a few. Once you run out of WAP you will have to start over with load development for a new powder .

Just an FYI, 1 pound of powder at 7gr charge should yield about 1000 rounds.

[CalNative57]

Nope you are correct. I happen to get 3 lbs of it along with the RL550 I have now. I usually use W231 but have titegroup and clays that I want to try. iDo you know if there is anything special you have to do to the powder measure when switching powders other than emptying the leftover powder back into its original container? I know I'll have to adjust it again I'm just wondering if I need to cycle it a few times or what to get all the powder out?
Nice to know about the rounds per pound Bug Splat, thanks.

[Bug Splat]

Yeah just pour it back into the container and cycle the dispenser a few times to get what ever is left out.

1LBS of powder = 7000gr so when you find the charge you like just take the weight and divide 7000 by it and you have the total amount your pound will yield. For example 7000 / 6.5 = 1075 rounds.

[CalNative57]

Bug with that formula you've made me a happy man!
Thanks again.http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/i...lies/smile.gif