What do you do if your bullets are heavier than what's in load data?

[jrmorgan123]

I'm reloading 40 S&W using cast bullets. The load data I have that's closest is for 170 gr cast bullets. Mine are 180 gr. Same shape, same diameter. The powder is Shooters World Auto Pistol AKA Lovex D036.3. If I'm staying mid-range or low on the recommended amount of powder, does that sound safe?

[Jay Andrew]

Pistol cartridges can be very sensitive to seemingly small changes in bullet weight, COAL, and primers/powder changes. So I would approach this one very carefully.

Is there any load data for a 180gr jacketed bullet that you can compare against? The pressure generated for a lead bullet will be less then a jacketed bullet. I would feel comfortable using the start charge for a 180gr jacketed bullet and substituting a lead bullet.

Load five or ten rounds and check for function and pressure signs before proceeding with the batch.


As a rule of thumb if there is no load data available I will typically try and go the next bullet weight heavier, and with cast, I’ll look at the jacketed data of the same bullet weight. With monolithics I go to the next bullet weight lighter.

If there’s no load data period, I break out QuickLOAD. Hell, sometimes I breakout QuickLOAD when theres load data. :-)



Reloading...it’s like knitting for men.

[EUDE75]

Pistol cartridges can be very sensitive to seemingly small changes in bullet weight, COAL, and primers/powder changes. So I would approach this one very carefully.

Is there any load data for a 180gr jacketed bullet that you can compare against? The pressure generated for a lead bullet will be less then a jacketed bullet. I would feel comfortable using the start charge for a 180gr jacketed bullet and substituting a lead bullet.

Load five or ten rounds and check for function and pressure signs before proceeding with the batch.


As a rule of thumb if there is no load data available I will typically try and go the next bullet weight heavier, and with cast, I’ll look at the jacketed data of the same bullet weight. With monolithics I go to the next bullet weight lighter.

If there’s no load data period, I break out QuickLOAD. Hell, sometimes I breakout QuickLOAD when theres load data. :-)



Reloading...it’s like knitting for men.

Agreed. I've loaded cast from jacketed data or if there's no data I'll go to the next load down and start at the low side of the chart and go down. If none of those work I'll go up one grain at a time until I find one that works or see flattening of primers or other signs of stress.

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[Bobby Hall]

Might check android app store. They have alot apps free apple dont and some are load data may help may not. But be better then overload and have catastrophic failure. Have refured others to and said great info. Apple users app store pay android free

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[Jay Andrew]

If you want, I have QuickLOAD. We can walk through how to set this up and see what the results may be. It could be a good introduction for people here who aren’t familiar with the program.




Reloading...it’s like knitting for men.

[Russ]

Pistol cartridges can be very sensitive to seemingly small changes in bullet weight, COAL, and primers/powder changes. So I would approach this one very carefully.

Is there any load data for a 180gr jacketed bullet that you can compare against? The pressure generated for a lead bullet will be less then a jacketed bullet. I would feel comfortable using the start charge for a 180gr jacketed bullet and substituting a lead bullet.

Load five or ten rounds and check for function and pressure signs before proceeding with the batch.


As a rule of thumb if there is no load data available I will typically try and go the next bullet weight heavier, and with cast, I’ll look at the jacketed data of the same bullet weight. With monolithics I go to the next bullet weight lighter.

If there’s no load data period, I break out QuickLOAD. Hell, sometimes I breakout QuickLOAD when theres load data. :-)



Reloading...it’s like knitting for men.

Lol@ “Reloading...it’s like knitting for men” 😁