Sharon,
Sorry to hear about your hard times. That's a bummer. I hope things are better now.
I know there are pictures of blown up firearms, that's not up for discussion. I agree with that. What I am saying though is that there are more done because of the same reason that you mentioned rather than the use of data like this. Double charges, too much of the wrong powder, triplex loads, on and on, but few and far between because of using this data.
You are right about the current load data being nowhere near what these manuals espouse. I wonder what changed? Some will say that it is because of the advent of the transducer. I say no, and I have proved that they were available when this data was current. It would be a far stretch to think that a company had the tools to check pressure and didn't use them when working up loads. Even if their data doesn't show the pressure numbers I believe they had the data.
Like I said earlier, these loads are safe in my guns. Don't use in yours, and that applies to anyone, if you don't feel they are safe.
Thanks for your input.
I do hope things turn around for you or that they have, blessings!