Reloading different bullet brands of the same weight with one type of powder

[PARA45]

Reloading different bullet brands of the same weight with one type of powder listed on one reloading manual.

I hope this makes sense. I read on a different thread that someone was using 300 grs bullets from different manufacturers with XY grains of one type of powder, this was for a 375 H&H. The results according to who did this was positive and POI was very close with most bullets. I asked if he had noticed any pressure signs with the different bullets and I was told not at all.

So, with powder shortage, and how every reloading manual has their own powders they use. Would this be a good idea, (I know, I know) to let's say, use 180 grs Nosler bullets for 300 H&H, with powders listed on a Barnes or Sierra reloading manual for the same bullet weight? Obviously starting with minimum load and working up watching for pressure signs.

I've always used the powder that the reloading manual recommends for the bullets listed on the manual, I've never switch from one to the other. I've compared the different loads but never done any switching. Your thoughts are welcome.

 

[Jefferry404]

other than Swift bullets, with the higher shot start pressure, it is the bullet seating depth that affects the pressure and use the manual that has similar bullet style and OAL.

Steve

 

[SaintPanzer]

I asked this question once when using a bullet not listed with Vihta Vouri powders. When I contacted their tech support, they said the bullet weight wasn't as important as "shape", i.e. ballistic coefficient, length, etc. In other words, compare the bullet I was using to others listed in their tables, and look for similar weights and BC. From there, start small and look for signs.

The specific instance in this case was trying to use an RWS Scorion bullet in .30-06. The comparison was a Lapua Scenar, and the result was about .75MOA.

 

[BourbonTrail]

I think when switching from jacketed lead to monometal the load data can go out the window. My load data for 400 Gr monometal solids is about 4 grains different from the lead core softs.

 

[deewayne2003]

I think when switching from jacketed lead to monometal the load data can go out the window. My load data for 400 Gr monometal solids is about 4 grains different from the lead core softs.

I believe you are correct, but their can be outliers.

My .470ne uses the exact same load for 500gr woodleigh weldcore SP as it does 500gr Hydro solids.

With the exact same POI

 

[V.Veritas]

I think when switching from jacketed lead to monometal the load data can go out the window. My load data for 400 Gr monometal solids is about 4 grains different from the lead core softs.

Is the monometal bullets 4gr lower than solids? Are they longer?

 

[BourbonTrail]

Is the monometal bullets 4gr lower than solids? Are they longer?

Lower grains for monometal solids, and yes, monometal is substantially longer.

 

[PARA45]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences.
Please keep the comments coming.

 

[Joker12]

For years I have loaded Hornady interlocks, Nosler partitions, Speer hot cores and Sierra game kings of the same weight and caliber using the same powder charges interchangeably. Same POI, same velocitys. The monometal bullets and solids are certainly different. I would think that the Swift A- frames may also be different but because of their cost and availability I don't shoot many of them.

 

[FlyGuy]

For bullets of the same weight…
Same powder, yes.
Same load, no.
I mostly drop back a few grains and work up again.

With mono’s all bets are off. Usually start development from scratch.

 

[Rare Breed]

Reloading different bullet brands of the same weight with one type of powder listed on one reloading manual.

I hope this makes sense. I read on a different thread that someone was using 300 grs bullets from different manufacturers with XY grains of one type of powder, this was for a 375 H&H. The results according to who did this was positive and POI was very close with most bullets. I asked if he had noticed any pressure signs with the different bullets and I was told not at all.

So, with powder shortage, and how every reloading manual has their own powders they use. Would this be a good idea, (I know, I know) to let's say, use 180 grs Nosler bullets for 300 H&H, with powders listed on a Barnes or Sierra reloading manual for the same bullet weight? Obviously starting with minimum load and working up watching for pressure signs.

I've always used the powder that the reloading manual recommends for the bullets listed on the manual, I've never switch from one to the other. I've compared the different loads but never done any switching. Your thoughts are welcome.

That’s why I use QL versus any manual. For my new 450 NE I looked at three powders and I love how fast I can find the one I want, load then test

 

[Frederik]

If you are into shooting one hole groups you will be lucky to have the same load with fifferent bullets to shoot the same at 100 yards. There is also a diffefence between hunting accuracy and chasing the smallest groups possible.
There is some rifles that just eat and spit out great results no matter what you feed them and then some barrels that just enjoy certain loads.

With scarsity of powders I normally stick to one brand of powder on each rifle and settle to do all with it. There are however an exception on the 6.5x55 where when using 140gr and 160gr bullets I use N560 and with the lighter 20gr bullet N550 for more powder to fit into the case to get more speed.
But after this season I will stick to 140gr bullet weight only.

With Monometal bullets and solid shank bullets it is a whole different ball game bullets are usually longer and of course harder and then you could even get a difference when shooting normal FMJ bullet from one brand to the other depending ho hard they made the jacket. For example old Plain Hornady FMJ vs the new DGS which I believe has a steel jacket.

So with all that said above I decided this year with the variety of calibres that I own that I will from now on stick to one weight of bullet per calibre and one brand of powder and bullet.

Exception comes in with the 375 H&H and 458 Lott where the solids are mono Impala Brass bullet and softs Spoor Bullet company softs. But still with the same powders.

Just for reference my line up of calibres I load for and bullet weights I'm going to stick too.

25-06 - 100gr (awaiting final approval for license from SAPS)
6.5 x 55 - 140gr It is actually my sons rifle and he will hopefully get it get it licensed in his name in the next 12-18 Months
7 x 57 - 160gr
8 x 68S - 200gr (Need to hand in SAPS license application still)
375 H&H - 300gr
458 Lott - 500gr

Think I'm pretty well organized to take any game on any terrain in Africa.

 

[Woodcarver]

Reloading different bullet brands of the same weight with one type of powder listed on one reloading manual.

I hope this makes sense. I read on a different thread that someone was using 300 grs bullets from different manufacturers with XY grains of one type of powder, this was for a 375 H&H. The results according to who did this was positive and POI was very close with most bullets. I asked if he had noticed any pressure signs with the different bullets and I was told not at all.

So, with powder shortage, and how every reloading manual has their own powders they use. Would this be a good idea, (I know, I know) to let's say, use 180 grs Nosler bullets for 300 H&H, with powders listed on a Barnes or Sierra reloading manual for the same bullet weight? Obviously starting with minimum load and working up watching for pressure signs.

I've always used the powder that the reloading manual recommends for the bullets listed on the manual, I've never switch from one to the other. I've compared the different loads but never done any switching. Your thoughts are welcome.

Typically, this works well. As others have pointed out, the monometals are different and must be considered separately.
I use about every load manual I can find when looking for a new recipe. It's actually kind of rare to find the bullet(s) I have, and the powder(s) I have, to be listed together in any of the books. Weight and ogive are the similarities I start with. For instance, my load for my 9.3x74R DR can use a Nosler Partition, a Norma Oryx, a Speer Hotcore, or a Woodleigh SPRN, and all will regulate and print in the same group.
All the usual precautions should be used. Have fun!

 

[Ridge Runner]

I think when switching from jacketed lead to monometal the load data can go out the window. My load data for 400 Gr monometal solids is about 4 grains different from the lead core softs.

+1

Be it 400 grain, 500 grain, even 55 grain in my 22 Hornet; bullets regardless of equal grain weight whether softs or solids theoretically should hit near the same POA/POI as long as the comparisons are with the same shape, length, actual bullet weight to actual bullet weight, etc, etc, within +/- 1.0 grains, and using the same powder and charge weight within +/- .3 grains.

These 2 different bullets, softs and solids, can make a preacher cuss on Sunday with the amount of variations on impacting on the target.

IME reloading 500 gr flat nose BARNES Bullets in 458WM and 300 grain WOODLEIGH in 375 H&H are more finicky than reloading pointed and round nose soft and solid bullets.

 

[GuttormG]

Reloading different bullet brands of the same weight with one type of powder listed on one reloading manual.

I hope this makes sense. I read on a different thread that someone was using 300 grs bullets from different manufacturers with XY grains of one type of powder, this was for a 375 H&H. The results according to who did this was positive and POI was very close with most bullets. I asked if he had noticed any pressure signs with the different bullets and I was told not at all.

So, with powder shortage, and how every reloading manual has their own powders they use. Would this be a good idea, (I know, I know) to let's say, use 180 grs Nosler bullets for 300 H&H, with powders listed on a Barnes or Sierra reloading manual for the same bullet weight? Obviously starting with minimum load and working up watching for pressure signs.

I've always used the powder that the reloading manual recommends for the bullets listed on the manual, I've never switch from one to the other. I've compared the different loads but never done any switching. Your thoughts are welcome.

If chasing maximum loads-forget it.
For more moderate loads, yes-it can be done.

As an example I loaded my 35Whelen with 58grains of N150 with all lead core bullets of 225 and 250grains for close to 20years and a couple of thousands bullets.

Brass/copper monometallbullets is a different game of wich I do not know anything worth sharing.


And a friend load all his rifle practice ammo using a small load of very fast rifle powder/very slow pistol power. Works for him, I would be worried sick of double charging.

 

[Ridge Runner]

If you are into shooting one hole groups you will be lucky to have the same load with fifferent bullets to shoot the same at 100 yards. There is also a diffefence between hunting accuracy and chasing the smallest groups possible.
There is some rifles that just eat and spit out great results no matter what you feed them and then some barrels that just enjoy certain loads.

With scarsity of powders I normally stick to one brand of powder on each rifle and settle to do all with it. There are however an exception on the 6.5x55 where when using 140gr and 160gr bullets I use N560 and with the lighter 20gr bullet N550 for more powder to fit into the case to get more speed.
But after this season I will stick to 140gr bullet weight only.

With Monometal bullets and solid shank bullets it is a whole different ball game bullets are usually longer and of course harder and then you could even get a difference when shooting normal FMJ bullet from one brand to the other depending ho hard they made the jacket. For example old Plain Hornady FMJ vs the new DGS which I believe has a steel jacket.

So with all that said above I decided this year with the variety of calibres that I own that I will from now on stick to one weight of bullet per calibre and one brand of powder and bullet.

Exception comes in with the 375 H&H and 458 Lott where the solids are mono Impala Brass bullet and softs Spoor Bullet company softs. But still with the same powders.

Just for reference my line up of calibres I load for and bullet weights I'm going to stick too.

25-06 - 100gr (awaiting final approval for license from SAPS)
6.5 x 55 - 140gr It is actually my sons rifle and he will hopefully get it get it licensed in his name in the next 12-18 Months
7 x 57 - 160gr
8 x 68S - 200gr (Need to hand in SAPS license application still)
375 H&H - 300gr
458 Lott - 500gr

Think I'm pretty well organized to take any game on any terrain in Africa.

I started doing this a big bunch of years ago with the whole heartily attempt at cutting costs. It worked for a few short years. My 30-06: T/C Encore along with a Savage model 110 ( dont' recall the letter C or E), Remington Model 700 BDL, and ADL liked 48.0 grains IMR4064 with 165 and 168 grain bullets. Again it's been too long since I reloaded 150 grain bullets, I don't remember my recipe.

The Savage and Remingtons and I unwillingly parted ways over the years. Actually i trade one of the Remingtons on a deal I couldn't pass up, the other 3 were stolen.Then I purchased another M1 Garand, a Mossberg Patriot, a custom 30-06, retained the Encore and now I have 7 different recipes, each rifle prefers their own. Went from one powder to 3 different powders and 8 different bullets and bullet weights to get the most accurate results from each rifle using: 147, 150, 200, and 220 grain; Hornady, Barnes, Speer, Sierra, Nosler, and a couple of other brands of bullets I came across for my 30-06's.

Next I just had to watch out of boredom, The Outdoorsman With Buck McNeely who renewed my interest to hunt Africa, found this website and just had to get into the big bores with a 375h&h and a 458WM. LOL.

Looked to see what powders I had that would work in the new to me 375h&h and 458WM that also worked in my 30-06's, and 6.8 SPC; found two different powders on hand and added 2 more chasing the ever so elusive combination of: higher velocities, less recoil, lower pressures, and most of all accuracy.

There are powders that can work in a lot of different calibres, but that doesn't mean they are the best powders to use in all those different calibres.

But in a pinch it is nice knowing there are powders on hand to reload with.

 

[Ridge Runner]

If chasing maximum loads-forget it.
For more moderate loads, yes-it can be done.

As an example I loaded my 35Whelen with 58grains of N150 with all lead core bullets of 225 and 250grains for close to 20years and a couple of thousands bullets.

Brass/copper monometallbullets is a different game of wich I do not know anything worth sharing.


And a friend load all his rifle practice ammo using a small load of very fast rifle powder/very slow pistol power. Works for him, I would be worried sick of double charging.

+1 ; or a squibb.

 

[Ridge Runner]

If chasing maximum loads-forget it.
For more moderate loads, yes-it can be done.

As an example I loaded my 35Whelen with 58grains of N150 with all lead core bullets of 225 and 250grains for close to 20years and a couple of thousands bullets.

Brass/copper monometallbullets is a different game of wich I do not know anything worth sharing.


And a friend load all his rifle practice ammo using a small load of very fast rifle powder/very slow pistol power. Works for him, I would be worried sick of double charging.

My go to powders for 375H&H, is IMR4064 and 458WM are IMR4064 and/or H335. When I don't have RL7 for the 458WM. I'll have to look to see what powder I changed over to for the 375H&H. My 30-06's like IIMR4064.

I never use max charge capacity. Why burn out barrels, reduce brass life, and bruise shoulders when the most accurate reloads are generally in the mid to upper mid charge range, using mid weight bullet.

 

[Fenstar]

I sure wish I could find 4064. Haven’t seen available for years now.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Reloading different bullet brands of the same weight with one type of powder listed on one reloading manual.

I hope this makes sense. I read on a different thread that someone was using 300 grs bullets from different manufacturers with XY grains of one type of powder, this was for a 375 H&H. The results according to who did this was positive and POI was very close with most bullets. I asked if he had noticed any pressure signs with the different bullets and I was told not at all.

So, with powder shortage, and how every reloading manual has their own powders they use. Would this be a good idea, (I know, I know) to let's say, use 180 grs Nosler bullets for 300 H&H, with powders listed on a Barnes or Sierra reloading manual for the same bullet weight? Obviously starting with minimum load and working up watching for pressure signs.

I've always used the powder that the reloading manual recommends for the bullets listed on the manual, I've never switch from one to the other. I've compared the different loads but never done any switching. Your thoughts are welcome.

@PARA45
NEVER load the same powder charge behind the same weight but different projectiles.
Bullets are constructed differently. Different bearing surface, hardness, length and construction cup and core or mono.
This can and does affect pressure
My advice is when changing bullet types I always drop my charge weight by 5% and work back up to the load I need.
The same applies when changing case brands as all weight different and internal volume can be dramatically different. I have had different brands if cases vary by as much as 6 grains of powder. One case full to the top of the case and over flow while another only came to the base of the neck
with the same charge .
When ever you change a component be it projectile, case primer brand or powder lot it is advisable to start working up to your safe working load again.
Bob