Load Data Resources for all Calibres

[Heym SR20]

We seem to be getting endless threads on whats the best powder, or what load should I use for my 6.5 mega megathumper etc.

Best Powder - consistency of supply is by far the biggest criteria. What does your local gunshop keep.

At the moment my local Emporium seems lots of Vihtavouri and Reload Swiss.

Many of the American powders - Hodgeson, IMR etc are no longer imported, or irregular supply.

I would never rely on what that well known SD member @bangandbodget gives as so many grains of WDP 25 - it might not be the best data.

There two major sources of data - The powder manufacturers, and bullet manufacturers. Their published data will be the result of pretty extensive testing.

It pays to study the data but also to read the descriptions of each powder. Some are optimal for a certain cartridge, whereas others may be used. The optimal one will generally the best results and be the easiest to work up an accurate load.

Powders Load Data

Vihtavouri

Reloading data tool | Vihtavuori

Vihtavuori has developed a new online search engine to make reloading data even easier to access! Our new reloading data search tool enables you to search for

www.vihtavuori.com

Although its often easier to follow from their powder descriptions

Vihtavuori N140 rifle powders | Vihtavuori

Vihtavuori N140 is an incredibly versatile powder, well suited to a wide range of calibers and bullet weights. From .223 Remington with heavy bullets to

www.vihtavuori.com

Reload Swiss

Reload Swiss loading data

www.reload-swiss.com

Not as user friendly as the Viht site


Hodgdon - includes IMR, Accurate and Ramshot (all under the same umbrella). Many of these powders not available easily in the UK.


Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

RWS

https://rws-ammunition.com/en/infotainment/reloading

Norma

Reloading – precision in Every Detail | Norma Precision

Access reloading data, burning rate charts, and the Norma Reloading Manual. Find precise load data for your caliber and powder storage tips.

www.norma-ammunition.com

Bullets

Barnes

Load Data

Find reloading guidelines and data for your Barnes Bullets products.

www.barnesbullets.com

Fox Bullets

RELOADING DATA - UPDATE - Fox Bullets - Since 2015!

This loads can serve only as a reference, since they were not officialy tested. The user can not consider theese samples as an official document.

www.foxbullets.eu

And Edinburgh publish the UK loaded factory ammo data at bottom of

Fox Non Lead Bullets – Edinburgh Rifles

Hornady

Load Data - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Hornady develops and publishes reloading data for the Handbook of Cartridge Reloading and makes it available in three ways: the traditional hardcover book, an e-book on Apple iBook or on your Kindle, and on the Hornady Reloading App. Like the bound and...

www.hornady.com

Perhaps @admin or @csl could make this thread a sticky so other good sources of data can be added to as and when.

 

[finnbear270]

Info from reloaders who have ventured into the less known areas of this or that powder are a valuable resource, to be used or not used with discretion & safe practice applied.

 

[Demetrius]

Well over the years, I've found the following powders that are available in the UK, and that work well in my long barrelled target rifles in calibres 223, 6BR, 6.5x47, and 308.

223: Wild Boar and RS52 (70-80grain bullets in 8 twist),
6BR: RS52 and RS62 (105 grain in 8 twist),
6.5x47: RS50 and RS52 (123 and 136 grain in 8 twist),
308: RS52 (155grain in 12 twist)

I'm still working on 6x47.........

The usual caveats apply to the above info.

D.

 

[Heym SR20]

Info from reloaders who have ventured into the less known areas of this or that powder are a valuable resource, to be used or not used with discretion & safe practice applied.

Agreed, but as you say used with discretion and caution by experienced reloaders. The difficulty for a novice is not having the experience to use discretion and caution, hence the recommendation to stick with data published by powder and bullet manufacturers, and especially when making recommendations to the general public as one does on a forum.

 

[cjm1066]

100% agree that continuity of supply is a major factor in my choice, that started years ago when I used Nobel after starting using American powders - we know what happened to Nobel.

Manufactures data is always my first choice, then contrast and compare and at times I go off-piste if the data doesn't provide for a bullet I want to use.

As for data from *7%60 on the internet, I might compare with manufactures data and if it seem creditable, I might use it as a guide.

Can we perhaps have these guides as a sticky?

 

[Namman]

We seem to be getting endless threads on whats the best powder, or what load should I use for my 6.5 mega megathumper etc.

Best Powder - consistency of supply is by far the biggest criteria. What does your local gunshop keep.

At the moment my local Emporium seems lots of Vihtavouri and Reload Swiss.

Many of the American powders - Hodgeson, IMR etc are no longer imported, or irregular supply.

I would never rely on what that well known SD member @bangandbodget gives as so many grains of WDP 25 - it might not be the best data.

There two major sources of data - The powder manufacturers, and bullet manufacturers. Their published data will be the result of pretty extensive testing.

It pays to study the data but also to read the descriptions of each powder. Some are optimal for a certain cartridge, whereas others may be used. The optimal one will generally the best results and be the easiest to work up an accurate load.

Powders Load Data

Vihtavouri

Reloading data tool | Vihtavuori

Vihtavuori has developed a new online search engine to make reloading data even easier to access! Our new reloading data search tool enables you to search for

www.vihtavuori.com

Although its often easier to follow from their powder descriptions

Vihtavuori N140 rifle powders | Vihtavuori

Vihtavuori N140 is an incredibly versatile powder, well suited to a wide range of calibers and bullet weights. From .223 Remington with heavy bullets to

www.vihtavuori.com

Reload Swiss

Reload Swiss loading data

www.reload-swiss.com

Not as user friendly as the Viht site


Hodgdon - includes IMR, Accurate and Ramshot (all under the same umbrella). Many of these powders not available easily in the UK.


Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

RWS

https://rws-ammunition.com/en/infotainment/reloading

Norma

Reloading – precision in Every Detail | Norma Precision

Access reloading data, burning rate charts, and the Norma Reloading Manual. Find precise load data for your caliber and powder storage tips.

www.norma-ammunition.com

Bullets

Barnes

Load Data

Find reloading guidelines and data for your Barnes Bullets products.

www.barnesbullets.com

Fox Bullets

RELOADING DATA - UPDATE - Fox Bullets - Since 2015!

This loads can serve only as a reference, since they were not officialy tested. The user can not consider theese samples as an official document.

www.foxbullets.eu

And Edinburgh publish the UK loaded factory ammo data at bottom of

Fox Non Lead Bullets – Edinburgh Rifles

Hornady

Load Data - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Hornady develops and publishes reloading data for the Handbook of Cartridge Reloading and makes it available in three ways: the traditional hardcover book, an e-book on Apple iBook or on your Kindle, and on the Hornady Reloading App. Like the bound and...

www.hornady.com

Perhaps @admin or @csl could make this thread a sticky so other good sources of data can be added to as and when.

Ramshot seems to be readily available.
I use TAC, Big game, Hunter and have had no problem obtaining them.

 

[Scipio]

I can find Norma, Swiss Reloader and Vihtavouri on the Danish sites. Norma seems to be cirka 20-30 percent more expensive pr. kilo than the other two, though that is buying it in 0,5 kilo containers instead of 1 kg. A thing which does have its value if you're still trying to find the powder that works best for you.

This site: https://www.xxlreloading.com/about-us

Has a lot of loaddata available, which you can search for via bullet type, caliber, weight etc. You can see all the data for free, barr the suggested charge weight, for which you need membership, (which i think is a quite modest 20 euro a year or so).
They also have free downloads of load data from some reloading manuals and powder burn rate charts too.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

GRT is a free download similar to QL (the person that wrote it all up has sadly passed so updates are now in the hands of some hobby programmers to keep it running).

 

[Scipio]

Update: i have registered at the xxlreloading.com site, and so far so good. It seems to contain a LOT of info, but is crucially also very well structured, making surveying and using the information quite accessable too. But It is still early days, so i'll report back to you guys with an update in 6 months or so.

 

[Twodogs]

In the case of YewTree copper bullets a phone call or e mail to Richard will put you near as can be to your load solution.

 

[plumber01]

Also sorry to mention, but looking at "older" Viht data, and new data, they have changed, does this mean if you use an old manual your loads are OK but if a new one is used, and the max show is a couple of grains down, is you old recipe suddenly dangerous !
eg; new Viht data show a 308 , 167 gn Lapua, VVN150 at max 44.8gn, I believe it was around the 46gn mark previously
Also the actual speeds quoted are about as reliable / optimistic as the mpg quoted for my Volkswagen !

 

[Loler UK]

Lead free bullets of certain designs create wildly different pressure in different barrels.

Some I have CIP test data for which blow primers in one rifle despite being under P-max and within the required statistical deviation of CIP test standards. Some the reverse is true with overpressure in the test barrel but no pressure signs in actual rifles. The bullets do not obturate in the barrels' rifling the same way. Significant muzzle velocity differences between barrels the same length and make/model corelate these findings without the need for a CIP test rig

I now prefer to ladder up conservatively, even more conservatively than some of the vit start load data. Utilising a firm factory crimp with light loads seems to help the case to obturate and not dirty chambers with combustion effluents. I think we will likely see an increase in reloading related accidents as more people make the switch, stay safe.

 

[Scipio]

Lead free bullets of certain designs create wildly different pressure in different barrels.

Some I have CIP test data for which blow primers in one rifle despite being under P-max and within the required statistical deviation of CIP test standards. Some the reverse is true with overpressure in the test barrel but no pressure signs in actual rifles. The bullets do not obturate in the barrels' rifling the same way. Significant muzzle velocity differences between barrels the same length and make/model corelate these findings without the need for a CIP test rig

I now prefer to ladder up conservatively, even more conservatively than some of the vit start load data. Utilising a firm factory crimp with light loads seems to help the case to obturate and not dirty chambers with combustion effluents. I think we will likely see an increase in reloading related accidents as more people make the switch, stay safe.

how far back from the official data max do you start then , the full 10%?

 

[Delivery]

We seem to be getting endless threads on whats the best powder, or what load should I use for my 6.5 mega megathumper etc.

Best Powder - consistency of supply is by far the biggest criteria. What does your local gunshop keep.

At the moment my local Emporium seems lots of Vihtavouri and Reload Swiss.

Many of the American powders - Hodgeson, IMR etc are no longer imported, or irregular supply.

I would never rely on what that well known SD member @bangandbodget gives as so many grains of WDP 25 - it might not be the best data.

There two major sources of data - The powder manufacturers, and bullet manufacturers. Their published data will be the result of pretty extensive testing.

It pays to study the data but also to read the descriptions of each powder. Some are optimal for a certain cartridge, whereas others may be used. The optimal one will generally the best results and be the easiest to work up an accurate load.

Powders Load Data

Vihtavouri

Reloading data tool | Vihtavuori

Vihtavuori has developed a new online search engine to make reloading data even easier to access! Our new reloading data search tool enables you to search for

www.vihtavuori.com

Although its often easier to follow from their powder descriptions

Vihtavuori N140 rifle powders | Vihtavuori

Vihtavuori N140 is an incredibly versatile powder, well suited to a wide range of calibers and bullet weights. From .223 Remington with heavy bullets to

www.vihtavuori.com

Reload Swiss

Reload Swiss loading data

www.reload-swiss.com

Not as user friendly as the Viht site


Hodgdon - includes IMR, Accurate and Ramshot (all under the same umbrella). Many of these powders not available easily in the UK.


Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

RWS

https://rws-ammunition.com/en/infotainment/reloading

Norma

Reloading – precision in Every Detail | Norma Precision

Access reloading data, burning rate charts, and the Norma Reloading Manual. Find precise load data for your caliber and powder storage tips.

www.norma-ammunition.com

Bullets

Barnes

Load Data

Find reloading guidelines and data for your Barnes Bullets products.

www.barnesbullets.com

Fox Bullets

RELOADING DATA - UPDATE - Fox Bullets - Since 2015!

This loads can serve only as a reference, since they were not officialy tested. The user can not consider theese samples as an official document.

www.foxbullets.eu

And Edinburgh publish the UK loaded factory ammo data at bottom of

Fox Non Lead Bullets – Edinburgh Rifles

Hornady

Load Data - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Hornady develops and publishes reloading data for the Handbook of Cartridge Reloading and makes it available in three ways: the traditional hardcover book, an e-book on Apple iBook or on your Kindle, and on the Hornady Reloading App. Like the bound and...

www.hornady.com

Perhaps @admin or @csl could make this thread a sticky so other good sources of data can be added to as and when.

I think I am echoing others here when I say that I prefer to hear from someone who has real life experience than just load data from a manufacturer or QL as there’s often slight variations or component availability issues (for example if the federal primer that’s available gives 0.8% hotter loads or whatever)
I wouldn’t assume one person’s load is good to go and just use it off the bat but if there’s multiple sources agreed on identical data that might increase the confidence level a bit but still work up to the load as per good practice
D

 

[Heym SR20]

I think I am echoing others here when I say that I prefer to hear from someone who has real life experience than just load data from a manufacturer or QL as there’s often slight variations or component availability issues (for example if the federal primer that’s available gives 0.8% hotter loads or whatever)
I wouldn’t assume one person’s load is good to go and just use it off the bat but if there’s multiple sources agreed on identical data that might increase the confidence level a bit but still work up to the load as per good practice
D

Trouble is, I have absolutely no clue about your competence or experience in reloading, nor for that matter any body else on an internet forum. You might be a very experienced and conscientious individual who works up loads very carefully. Or you may have no clue as to what you are doing, nor any clue as to pressure signs etc.

Equally I am very conscious that any thing you say on a forum can and will be read by those with little experience but treat it as gospel.

Hence the reason I would advocate only taking and using load data from trusted sources where the loads have been subject to proper scrutiny and testing - ie load manuals and published data from powder and bullet manufacturers.

Equally on just about any load data or reloading instruction or best practice it suggests starting off low and working up, particularly if anything is changed. In real life don’t just substitute one component for another without at least doing a basic pressure test.

 

[Delivery]

Yes I agree with that point as a basic principle but that’s why you need to be diligent and not just accept one person’s statement as fact

I was just reading a post where it seems that the OP was under the impression that Viht was used but in the end it’s more likely to be RS80 - a genuine oversight but not something that I would base my loads on one say so of one member

That said I was just using factory Lapua Match ammunition and it wasn’t as consistent as expected so the only answer for greater accuracy is to make it yourself

That does create a bit of a dilemma given the shortages you need to be diligent and consider that it may not be practical to create the recipe published by the manufacturers - particularly using Hornady bullets as they don’t show any/many RS powders

In summary you should get as much data (vendor, app and community) as possible and filter it with a skeptical view that user data may be less reliable than vendor information and always work up the load using your consistent methods and equipment

As you say you still particularly need to learn/know the signs of over pressure and be alert to them

D

 

[Demetrius]

Reload Swiss publish some customer supplied load data.......they check it, and if published, you get an RS baseball cap for your first load.

D.

 

[Demetrius]

And IMHO, a chrony is essential when working a load up.

D.

 

[3595wilk]

I've used XXL reloading and P-Max to good effect to work up loads for .222 .243 6.5x55 and .308 in a range of copper monolithics.

XXL reloading also will model loads for you for bullets not in their database. I did it as an exercise for some Virtus Precision loads and they were extremely close to what Vern advised, so was reassuring.

For 20Euro pa, XXL has a lot of content. Best used on a laptop though....android tablet/phone is laggy.

 

[Heym SR20]

Yes I agree with that point as a basic principle but that’s why you need to be diligent and not just accept one person’s statement as fact

I was just reading a post where it seems that the OP was under the impression that Viht was used but in the end it’s more likely to be RS80 - a genuine oversight but not something that I would base my loads on one say so of one member

That said I was just using factory Lapua Match ammunition and it wasn’t as consistent as expected so the only answer for greater accuracy is to make it yourself

That does create a bit of a dilemma given the shortages you need to be diligent and consider that it may not be practical to create the recipe published by the manufacturers - particularly using Hornady bullets as they don’t show any/many RS powders

In summary you should get as much data (vendor, app and community) as possible and filter it with a skeptical view that user data may be less reliable than vendor information and always work up the load using your consistent methods and equipment

As you say you still particularly need to learn/know the signs of over pressure and be alert to them

D

I think we are in agreement. My two concerns though are:

1) you have no idea who will be reading / using the data from a public forum, and there are plenty of individuals who are not diligent, competent, experienced etc etc. In my experience professionally I find an awful lot of people can only understand a soundbite and are not prepared to delve into and read and understand the detail and appreciate the finer differences between all the different options out there.

2) and when it does go wrong such individuals are very quick to pass the blame onto others.