How do reloading manuals decide Min/Max powder charge

I have a question about powder charge for different Powder manufacturers, what formula or data is used to decide the start Minimum and stop Maximum powder usuage for a particular cartridge and bullet? I have some IMR-8133 coming in and the Hodgon Reloading center online only has data up to 180gr Berger bullets, nothing for the 195gr Berger bullets in 28 Nosler. So, if someone was trying a new powder with a new bullet, how do they come up with the minimum and maximum charge?

I think some use strain gauges on actual barrels and load and fire the bullets to test. A few might just use a computer simulation. It is speculated by some that Berger might use a computer program called "Quick Load" for the published data in their Reloading Manual.

What you can do is email Berger at: [email protected]
Give them the powder/bullet and they will email you load info.

I agree with Barrelnut. They also work up loads until they find pressure signs. But since every gun is different you still have to find out what is max in your gun.

Call/Email Berger. They'll reply usually reply within 2-3 days

The factories use a Powley Computer to determine start loads/start pressures with suitable powders.
There is a formula I have written down in my notes, I'm unable to access them at the moment, that gives you a starting point with certain powders and expansion ratio. I found this very useful while developing wildcats.

I will update the formula when I can access my notes.

Cheers.

Nosler has guys out shooting their rifles working up loads....

A couple of manufacturers I have been to have a ballistics lab that use a pressure barrel ported for calibrated pressure gauges. Typically they test to CIP spec for ammunition. Look up the symbol for it and you will see it on the box of ammunition. I have to assume that data developed by hodgdon etc is developed in a similar manner. Maximum powder charge can be set by pressure limits or by whatever they decide to use. I am in load development for a 26 nosler and the max charges listed by hodgdon and nosler are quite different. Hodgdon went to approximately 64,000psi and listed that as max pressure. Nosler lists loads that are higher and are probably pushing high 60s or low 70s.

Barrelnut said:

I think some use strain gauges on actual barrels and load and fire the bullets to test. A few might just use a computer simulation. It is speculated by some that Berger might use a computer program called "Quick Load" for the published data in their Reloading Manual.

What you can do is email Berger at: [email protected]
Give them the powder/bullet and they will email you load info.

Click to expand...

I emailed Berger about load data using IMR-8133 for there 195gr EOL in a 28 Nosler, the reply I received was they have not done any testing with this powder yet and due to new rules, any load data will require a phone call to the support desk. I did call the number they provided and left a message, but after five days I never heard back from them. I guess my next try is to contact Hodgon and see if they could provide some data to use with the 195gr Berger...

Interesting feedback! Berger is now owned by a "holding company" that owns Laupa. Berger just moved production back to AZ from CA. Sounds like their customer support policies and procedures are also changing, and starting to sound like not for the good.

They are also gonna start making ammo... I bet their load data procedures change too. Probably a bit of what your are seeing in the fact that they would not help with the load data on the IMR powder...

I hope they don't start focusing on ammo more than providing bullets to the reloads who have patronized them for so long.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/berger-bullets-returns-home-greater-phoenix-arizona-area/

Kmccord said:

I emailed Berger about load data using IMR-8133 for there 195gr EOL in a 28 Nosler, the reply I received was they have not done any testing with this powder yet and due to new rules, any load data will require a phone call to the support desk. I did call the number they provided and left a message, but after five days I never heard back from them. I guess my next try is to contact Hodgon and see if they could provide some data to use with the 195gr Berger...

Click to expand...

Kmccord said:

I emailed Berger about load data using IMR-8133 for there 195gr EOL in a 28 Nosler, the reply I received was they have not done any testing with this powder yet and due to new rules, any load data will require a phone call to the support desk. I did call the number they provided and left a message, but after five days I never heard back from them. I guess my next try is to contact Hodgon and see if they could provide some data to use with the 195gr Berger...

Click to expand...

This was my experience also, left a couple voicemails and no response, that was over a month ago. Fortunately, there is a pretty good amount of info for the 195's right here on LRH.

Is it just me or does it seem like a cancerous trend in America today of small (and even large) companies that progress to major players to whom owe the bulk of their success just as much to a loyal fallowing of dedicated users of their product as they do to having produced a great product coupled with above average CS, that once they achieve national success they sell their company to a corporate conglomerate run by nameless, faceless individuals who's business model is rely on the companies established name and CS while trying to make the most money as they run the company into the ground and eventually out of business.