Loading to Max Charge

[robert101]

We have all made comments cautioning new reloaders to start low and work up loads. I've recently seen a number of threads requesting how to get to the max published load in consideration of possible pressure signs. Most of us are cautious in our practice. So how do major ammo manufacturers like Hornady, Winchester, Buffalo Bore, Remington, etc. load to such high pressures for all types of firearms? Certainly some rifles might expect to see high pressure signs with factory ammo. Has anyone knowledge of firearm damage due to loading to credible reloading max data?

[J-cat]

They have pressure testing equipment. Guns are designed to stay intact at pressures far in excess of what makes brass fail. The way it was explained to me is as long as the rise in pressure is gradual, the steel will contain it. So if you exceed the max pressure spec for that cartridge, as long as you used the recommended powder you won't explode your gun. What makes guns explode is the use of fast burning pistol powders in rifle cartridges, double charges of pistol powder in handguns, bullet setback on fast burning powders in pistols, and defects in metallurgy which grenade guns with standard in spec loads.

[robert101]

So selecting a max load with the specified powder should not lead to a failure of gun or casing correct? Would we then assume that we should not be able to duplicate a "proof" pressure charge by loading to a maximum stated grain load charge?

[J-cat]

Yes, as long as your gun is SAAMI spec in good working order and you are using the same components as those used to develop the data. There are exceptions of course, and I can give you extreme examples of what would blow the case, but the gun would not explode.

What specific load are you looking into?

[Divernhunter]

A proof cartridge used for testing is 5/3rds the normal SAAMI working pressure of the cartridge. It is way hotter than listed max loads for any given factory cartridge.

DO NOT try and make proof load cartridges. It is a risky thing unless under very controlled conditions and if you are will to loose the firearm

[CSACANNONEER]

Factory rounds are not normally loaded to max listed pressures.

[J-cat]

I do t think he's trying to make a proof load. He's just asking if a book max load can generate proof level pressures if not worked up from min to max. It could if you substitute components and load it into a minimum chamber with a short throat, but that would take a lot of stupid to accomplish.

[CK_32]

They have pressure testing equipment. Guns are designed to stay intact at pressures far in excess of what makes brass fail. The way it was explained to me is as long as the rise in pressure is gradual, the steel will contain it. So if you exceed the max pressure spec for that cartridge, as long as you used the recommended powder you won't explode your gun. What makes guns explode is the use of fast burning pistol powders in rifle cartridges, double charges of pistol powder in handguns, bullet setback on fast burning powders in pistols, and defects in metallurgy which grenade guns with standard in spec loads.

Factory rounds are not normally loaded to max listed pressures.

This, and this^


Ammo companies have a LOT of time and a LOT of money spent into making sure they don't get sued and have a quality or usable product. They have a lot of fancy, high priced, important machine and testing too.

Companies also don't load to max pressures. Just standard high pressure, which their testing should have shown is with in SAAMI specifications and is a safe factory load. Again usually medium, high pressures. But hardly ever max. Even in match right chambers/rifles.

[highpower790]

There are many out there that go by the book when reloading and probably just as many that dont.
My favorite 223 load isnt listed in any book,this doesnt mean its unsafe.I see no pressure signs and have been using my load for 8yrs with no negative consequences.

[robert101]

No I was not intending to load to "proof" loadings. My post was simply in reference to so many people cautioning reloaders to work up to manual stated max charge loads. I also progressively work up loads but have not seen any evidence of gross case expansion even at max charges.

[CSACANNONEER]

No I was not intending to load to "proof" loadings. My post was simply in reference to so many people cautioning reloaders to work up to manual stated max charge loads. I also progressively work up loads but have not seen any evidence of gross case expansion even at max charges.

Remember that stated max loads are using the powder that was available for testing. Even though we are talking about canister grade powders and not what large manufacturers use, there is always the possibility of burn rates differing from lot to lot or from degradation. So, you ALWAYS need to work up a load with the actual powder you are planning on using and, if that load is anywhere close to max, you will need to redo the work up when changing jugs which are not the same lot number or were not stored together.

[acourvil]

You also need to look at the seating when evaluating the load. If you are seating deeper than the manufaturer's test data, you could be a ta much higher pressure than listed. Conversely, if you are seating longer, you might be able to use more powder than the max listed and not have a pressure problem - but then you are taking a risk, because there is no way to know for sure what the pressure really is.