BC pressures

[nomosendero]

IF you use Hodgdon's posted Lever Gun Data for the 45-70 and the 400 grain bullet w/H4198, a Max lever gun load is actually a midrange Ruger#1 load for the same bullet and powder.  Now NFG, why would you think published data is confusing?

BB

Not confusing, Hodgdon is just one source & anyone who has loaded awhile understands there is a good deal of variance from one Manual to another. And of course, pressure can increase a great deal from "Mid-Range" to MAXIMUM. Yes, an experienced reloader will watch for pressures allways, but many are not that experienced & have no pressure testing equipment & should use a source showing loads more in line with the weapon being loaded for, if that were not true the manuals over the years would not have 2 & sometimes 3 load levels for the 45/70, they would have just said we have 1 source, just stop when it gets hot for your rifle. By the logic of some here, you could advise some that it's OK to load the Trapdoor to the lower & in a few cases mid-level Marlin loads with more mild Marlin sources, why not use Trapdoor data if you shoot a Trapdoor & still watch for pressures?

Despite the bobbing & weaving dance here, it never hurts to look at the original question.
The question: "Can it be loaded to Ruger1 or modern rifle pressures?" In other words, the same pressure limitations as Ruger rifles, which would by any logic mean the entire data & not trying to guess exactly where "mid-range" is for the weaker NEF or a Marlin. The answer goes back to why there is Marlin data & why not one Manual will suggest the NEF is in the same league as a Ruger when it comes to pressure.
NO, THE HANDI IS NOT AS STRONG AS THE RUGER PERIOD.

[ruppster]

I use the 300gr Sierra HPs out of my 22" at about mid lever loads (on Hodgdon's reloading site) with H4198. That's the hottest load I want. About 10 of them leaves a slight bruise on my shoulder. I've never saw any signs of high pressure (not that I'm an expert, but just from reading & pictures of bad loads; cratered primers, primer setback, etc). I've probably put about 30 of those down the tube. I can't image shooting those with no recoil pad. They seem to be pretty accurate as well. The difference between 40000CUP & 50000CUP with H4198 is only 100fps. My BIL won't shoot them out of his 1895 with no pad, says they hurt bad enough out of my Handi.
I personally like the 300's at about 1900fps for normal use, or cast & Trail Boss for plinking.

[gcrank1]

FWIW:Ive read much on this subject (pressure signs) over the years and what has stuck with me is that by the time you see it at the primer you are already over the limit. The case base ring expansion is 'supposed' to be the limit line and for most of us that means firing a factory load and measuring the expansion just above the solid case head where it joins the case wall, then comparing that to our handloads as MAX. Now, Im sure this is not the only methodology, and someone may take issue with it, but I think it fair to say that by using it one will not get into trouble.
I usually load less than top data and if I ever get sticky extraction/ejection (and I have), I very carefully go through the inspection and analysis to find out why BEFORE shooting any more! I dont care what the book says I should be able to load, if the gun balks it is time for me to back off.

[tykempster]

Is the Handi as strong as the Ruger, not at all.

BUT, is the Ruger overkill for 50,000 PSI loads? 

Can the Handi handle 50,000 PSI cartridges? 

Yes, and yes.