Reading traditional pressure signs when handloading

[Winchester67]

Gents, let me share a story with you. Years ago a friend stopped by my office with some .44 Magnum brass. By this time I had been handloading for decades, having started in college. He asked me to evaluate the pressure signs. I looked at the primers, thinking I knew what I was talking about, and proclaimed them safe. He said "Wrong, these tested out to over pressure proof loads." I was stunned, but as we had a ballistics lab at the office I knew he was not just teasing me. He went on the explain that this was a batch of hard primers and they were not showing the traditional pressure signs. When I asked him how often that happened, he replied "More often than you think". That was the point of his lesson...FOLLOW THE LATEST MANUAL. Do not exceed them. Lots of internet experts say you can top the listed loads and point to earlier manuals with hotter data. It is not the lawyers that tamed the loads, it was advances in recording the pressures! The old loads were too hot and not pressure tested, or not tested to the degree of accuracy we enjoy now. Safety first! Eyes and fingers are hard to fix.

Anyone with access to a modern ballistic lab I would be happy to hear any responses to the contrary.

Eric

 

[Annihilator]

Gents, let me share a story with you. Years ago a friend stopped by my office with some .44 Magnum brass. By this time I had been handloading for decades, having started in college. He asked me to evaluate the pressure signs. I looked at the primers, thinking I knew what I was talking about, and proclaimed them safe. He said "Wrong, these tested out to over pressure proof loads." I was stunned, but as we had a ballistics lab at the office I knew he was not just teasing me. He went on the explain that this was a batch of hard primers and they were not showing the traditional pressure signs. When I asked him how often that happened, he replied "More often than you think". That was the point of his lesson...FOLLOW THE LATEST MANUAL. Do not exceed them. Lots of internet experts say you can top the listed loads and point to earlier manuals with hotter data. It is not the lawyers that tamed the loads, it was advances in recording the pressures! The old loads were too hot and not pressure tested, or not tested to the degree of accuracy we enjoy now. Safety first! Eyes and fingers are hard to fix.

Anyone with access to a modern ballistic lab I would be happy to hear any responses to the contrary.

Eric

When I reloaded, I never did full power loads, I usually found a happy medium, if I need full power, I would just go buy manufactured ammo. I have seen to many instances where guys over loaded there ammo cause they had a gun that would take them, I never took chances and I reloaded ammo for over 25 years before I gave it up

 

[Winchester67]

Funny you say that. When I used to hunt, I would work up a maximum load. But now? Mid range target loads. Easier on my wallet, my gun and frankly me now that I have a twinge of arthritis. Factory ammo always for self defense. So these days, enjoyable loads. It is more fun to load a big gun down than a little gun up. A 240 grain 44 Magnum loaded to 44 Special pressures really bounces the cans!

 

[Jester560]

I go over the "book" on several calibers but primers are not a good indicator of pressure. When exceeding max loads, it is time to get out the measuring tools, calipers and mics, and measure the appropriate places on the case. Also, a good chronograph will tell you a lot of good info if you know what you're looking at.