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Posted: 6/25/2012 7:31:46 PM EDT
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I think I was loading tired tonight, but pulled a bone-head move.
Previously, I was loading 200gr. lead SWC's in .45 ACP on my 550B using the target 4.8gr. Titegroup. Tonight, I forgot that I changed bullet weight to 185 lead SWC and failed to reset my powder drop. I confirmed (using incorrect powder target) that I was dropping 4.9-5.0. I loaded ~75 rounds before waking up to find I loaded using incorrect information. I set the loaded rounds to the side with a "Do Not Use" label until I know how to proceed. I pulled the load date from the stickies above and researched Hodgdon's load center. this site recommends 4.6-4.8; Hodgdon only lists jacketed 185s with a target 5.0. Am I OK? I feel like these are loaded too hot. I was considering pulling them down to start over again. Guns to be used are 4" Commander and 5" Mil-spec; both in great condition. Please no flaming for newbie mistakes or not paying attention. Lessons learned regardless of outcome: 1. Turn TV off. 2. Focus on task at hand 3. Don't load tired. Advice is appreciated. thanks. |
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The same powder drop for a 200gr lead bullet should be safe with a 185gr lead bullet, but usually not the other way around. I see possible leading problems with the lighter/faster bullets, but I don't think you should have any pressure problems.
This is going off the infor you have listed since I don't have my manuals readily available at the moment to verify your load data. |
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Quoted: Lyman 49 is showing 5.4 grains as max with a 200 gr cast bullet.I think I was loading tired tonight, but pulled a bone-head move. Previously, I was loading 200gr. lead SWC's in .45 ACP on my 550B using the target 4.8gr. Titegroup. Tonight, I forgot that I changed bullet weight to 185 lead SWC and failed to reset my powder drop. I confirmed (using incorrect powder target) that I was dropping 4.9-5.0. I loaded ~75 rounds before waking up to find I loaded using incorrect information. I set the loaded rounds to the side with a "Do Not Use" label until I know how to proceed. I pulled the load date from the stickies above and researched Hodgdon's load center. this site recommends 4.6-4.8; Hodgdon only lists jacketed 185s with a target 5.0. Am I OK? I feel like these are loaded too hot. I was considering pulling them down to start over again. Guns to be used are 4" Commander and 5" Mil-spec; both in great condition. Please no flaming for newbie mistakes or not paying attention. Lessons learned regardless of outcome: 1. Turn TV off. 2. Focus on task at hand 3. Don't load tired. Advice is appreciated. thanks. So 5.0 with a 185 gr lead bullet is fine. Maybe just a little more recoil than you were going for, but no pressure problem.
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It happens.
With every mistake you will make, you'll likely put in place a procedure to keep from happening again. I'll come in dead tired and a little wired. Too wired for sleep so I'll turn on TV, scoot portable press in front of me and load away. Thing is any time i start a new run of something I weigh my charges. Secondly, I get a visual on powder before seating bullet. OCD about weighing charge weights is a good thing. I'll spot check at least 2 to 3 times in every 100 round run using DS-750 pocket scale. Just zero your tare weight using primed brass, then charge and weigh for net powder weight. Quick and Easy. 
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Quoted:
It happens. With every mistake you will make, you'll likely put in place a procedure to keep from happening again. I'll come in dead tired and a little wired. Too wired for sleep so I'll turn on TV, scoot portable press in front of me and load away. Thing is any time i start a new run of something I weigh my charges. Secondly, I get a visual on powder before seating bullet. OCD about weighing charge weights is a good thing. I'll spot check at least 2 to 3 times in every 100 round run using DS-750 pocket scale. Just zero your tare weight using primed brass, then charge and weigh for net powder weight. Quick and Easy. Brass will vary slightly. Even if it is from the same lot# |
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I'm not looking anything up but from your info sounds like you are in a safe enough range.
you could see some pressure signs and if you do stop shooting and pull the rest. If you want to be a bit more cautious load a ladder test up to what those rounds are loaded at if you see pressure signs on your lower charges then pull them. I may have a bit too much faith in the firearms i reload for but I am certain the max loads listed by any manufacturer are far less than max proof loads a barrel can handle. While a hot load is probably bad for a firearm the likelihood that a hot load is over proof load and would cause a catastrophic malfunction are in my mind quite low. (barring a double charge set back etc...) all that being said when in doubt... |
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Some of us lead charmed lives and seem to be coated in Teflon.
If you're that guy, good for you. I'm not that guy, although up to a point I thought I was. All it takes is one time. Never assume, for your safety and those you offer advice for. While your assumption may be right today. Like a coiled rattlesnake, if you keep it messing with it, it will strike. That's experience talking in .357sig at max listing, carefully worked up. Quoted:
I'm  not looking anything up but from your info sounds like you are in a safe enough range.
you could see some pressure signs and if you do stop shooting and pull the rest. If you want to be a bit more cautious load a ladder test up to what those rounds are loaded at if you see pressure signs on your lower charges then pull them. I may have a bit too much faith in the firearms i reload for but I am certain the max loads listed by any manufacturer are far less than max proof loads a barrel can handle. While a hot load is probably bad for a firearm the likelihood that a hot load is over proof load and would cause a catastrophic malfunction are in my mind quite low. (barring a double charge set back etc...) all that being said when in doubt... |
| It happens to everyone... to err is human...(I have had many issues but the most important thing is you caught it!);I learned about mistakes and catching them as I used to survey and it does not take long to see how long you can go with out making a mistake.Anyways that load should work ok and be hot as others had posted. |
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Quoted: I'm not looking anything up but from your info sounds like you are in a safe enough range. you could see some pressure signs and if you do stop shooting and pull the rest. If you want to be a bit more cautious load a ladder test up to what those rounds are loaded at if you see pressure signs on your lower charges then pull them. I may have a bit too much faith in the firearms i reload for but I am certain the max loads listed by any manufacturer are far less than max proof loads a barrel can handle. While a hot load is probably bad for a firearm the likelihood that a hot load is over proof load and would cause a catastrophic malfunction are in my mind quite low. (barring a double charge set back etc...) all that being said when in doubt... "We" like to err on the side of caution in this forum. Remember all the people who are just reading posts and not posting. Hello to all the lurkers out there. They may be new to reloading and trying to learn. What risk is ok to you, may not work out so well for someone else. Something to think about.
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didn't mean to have it come off so boldly saw you say it was a safe load and clearly caveat-ed myself saying I am not looking anything up.
I was trying to recommend doing a work up to determine if they are safe or just pulling them since the op was in doubt erring on the side of caution is a must in this hobby. I understand my statement about a hot load and proof loads could be taken horribly out of context and should probably have incorporated the idea that if you follow safe loading procedures and work ups there should be no reason to fear loads close to max listings especially when there are other sorces listing higher maxes. thanks for making a point of some poor wording that could be misconstrued. Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm not looking anything up but from your info sounds like you are in a safe enough range. you could see some pressure signs and if you do stop shooting and pull the rest. If you want to be a bit more cautious load a ladder test up to what those rounds are loaded at if you see pressure signs on your lower charges then pull them. I may have a bit too much faith in the firearms i reload for but I am certain the max loads listed by any manufacturer are far less than max proof loads a barrel can handle. While a hot load is probably bad for a firearm the likelihood that a hot load is over proof load and would cause a catastrophic malfunction are in my mind quite low. (barring a double charge set back etc...) all that being said when in doubt... "We" like to err on the side of caution in this forum. Remember all the people who are just reading posts and not posting. Hello to all the lurkers out there. They may be new to reloading and trying to learn. What risk is ok to you, may not work out so well for someone else. Something to think about. |
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Quoted: didn't mean to have it come off so boldly saw you say it was a safe load and clearly caveat-ed myself saying I am not looking anything up. I was trying to recommend doing a work up to determine if they are safe or just pulling them since the op was in doubt erring on the side of caution is a must in this hobby. I understand my statement about a hot load and proof loads could be taken horribly out of context and should probably have incorporated the idea that if you follow safe loading procedures and work ups there should be no reason to fear loads close to max listings especially when there are other sorces listing higher maxes. thanks for making a point of some poor wording that could be misconstrued. Quoted: Quoted: I'm not looking anything up but from your info sounds like you are in a safe enough range. you could see some pressure signs and if you do stop shooting and pull the rest. If you want to be a bit more cautious load a ladder test up to what those rounds are loaded at if you see pressure signs on your lower charges then pull them. I may have a bit too much faith in the firearms i reload for but I am certain the max loads listed by any manufacturer are far less than max proof loads a barrel can handle. While a hot load is probably bad for a firearm the likelihood that a hot load is over proof load and would cause a catastrophic malfunction are in my mind quite low. (barring a double charge set back etc...) all that being said when in doubt... "We" like to err on the side of caution in this forum. Remember all the people who are just reading posts and not posting. Hello to all the lurkers out there. They may be new to reloading and trying to learn. What risk is ok to you, may not work out so well for someone else. Something to think about. Thanks for clearing up what you meant. |
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