Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles General newbie question

I've never reloaded, and am planning on getting set up in the near future, so I have a lot of questions--sorry if they are stupid ones. Here's one:

Generally speaking,
As far as recipes go, when reloading for 1 cartridge, does it make any difference (with respect to pressure) which bullet you are loading as long as they are the same weight?

In other words, if my speer manual gives me a load for a .277 130gr hot cor (or whatever), and I decide I want to load 130 TSX (or 130 partitions or b-tip...) can I safely substitute bullets w/ the same load or do I need to go get a barnes, nosler manual and start from there?

Yes & no.
The bullet type will change the pressure even though the same wgt. The manuals however are not cut in stone and are a guide only. You can use data from multiple sources for same wgt bullets, just be aware the max loads can be higher or lower then your rifle will except. Start at the low end and work up, you`ll be OK.

Strange that you ask that cause I was out shooting with my 338/378 and my 378 mag both shooting 300 grain bullets. With the same powder charge my 378 mag was spitting them out just a shade under 3100 fps when I shot the same weight bullet with the same powder charge in my 338/378 they were showing around 3000 fps??? The 338/378 Accumark is a newer rifle and my 378 mag is about 29 years old although I changed the barrel out 5 years ago.
You would thing that since the surface area of the bullet is less in the 338 thus giving you more speed, but not the case.
The pressure should theoretically be higher with the smaller bullet. Go figure.

Its always a good idea to reference more than one book when loading a new round. You can check out barnes and noslers websites for load info. I think the only company that doesnt have info is Sierra. To give you an idea with the TSX vs. B-tip, My 25-06 ackley shoots B-tips behind 58grs of RL22 at 3400 fps and 100gr TSX behind 60grs at 3500fps. Same everything except bullets. I got pressure at 60grs with the B-tip but not until 62grs with the TSX.

Always work up!!

id sujest being careful with barnes bulletts as there is no lead in them and lead should have more give than an all copper bullett. just my opinion

Except, the lead does not contact the bearing surfaces of the barrel. Lead inside a bullet lets the bullet be shorter for the same weight because lead is heavier than copper, so Barnes bullets tend to run longer for the same weight cup and core. Long means marginally more bearing surface in the bore, but with the TSX and the Tipped TSX with their grooves, the bearing surface is reduced.

SO . . . . . always start low and work up -- ALWAYS . . . . . A.L.W.A.Y.S. And like someone above said -- use a couple or even several manuals for reference, and then work up slowly.

I'll chime in to put emphasis on starting low, with any data from any of the powder/bullet companies, and work up. You may not want to work up too far. You may find an accuracy/performance level down "low" and end up staying there! Your rifle will tell you when to stop.

And remember, to low can be BAD also.

Thanks for the info. I won't be getting started until after Christmas, so I may be able to get myself schooled on this stuff one little piece at a time.

Steelhead, did I read somewhere that you're moving to LA? If so, you have my sincere condolences.

I am moving to LA. If I were you I'd buy stock in Trojan.

Yes the entertainment budgets may be low in some households for the next year or so. LOL

Are you coming on to me?

He is, I ain't.

eh, better than nothing, i guess.

For real? I think I have wanted to live in Alaska since I was in the 8th grade. Now I can't do it. Is this a job related move? Damn. At least you lived the Alaskan life.

Job related. This is the forth time in my career I have left Alaska (spent 8 years in Ketchikan and 1 year on Kodiak).

I think it will still be around in a few more years.

The very best of luck to you in your move.