Question for Reloading experts

[prairiedog555]

If you have a gun and you work up a load that suits you, accuracy ect.  and you have a friend who has exact same gun should the performance be the same?

All cases full length resized

also:  If you have a certain caliber load that you like, will it perform the same (or very close)
in another gun of the same caliber, (rifleing twist same+ barrell length) 

The reason I ask is because I have a couple of .308 cal guns as do my friends.
Or is each gun an individual, and by what margin?

I know that they simply need all to be tested and fired but when out hunting we somethimes swap ammo, or somebody forgot theirs.
Thankyou

[bigjeepman]

Go to the website below and read about Dan Newberry's OCW (Optimal charge weight) load development. I do not believe that identical make rifles (barrel length, etc) are as different as I had previously believed in years before. How many times has it been said here in the Handi Rifle section how well the Winchester White Box ammo for .223's shoot in their rifles? I do believe there to be a small marginal difference but not like most believe. I have started developing loads for a .308 Savage 10FPLE2A and a .223 Savage 10 FP. His load methods have been right on in both situations. Please note he doesn't stress smallest group shot but best load for that rifle. He also shoots his targets in a "round robin" sequence which makes the most sense of all.


http://www.clik.to/optimalchargeweight

[bigjeepman]

I apologize .... because I am no expert. I read and study a lot about reloading and put in a lot of time reloading and testing loads. Many people here are much more qualified than myself. I think everyone has their own beliefs and their own methods. I do not mean to say that this is the only way but that it makes so much sense to me.

[superhornet]

BIGJEEPMAN---I have found what you say about Exact model rifles to be a truism.  The load I use for the 10FP in .308 is 42 grains IMR4064 topped with a 168 SMK, Win brass and F210 primer..Very accurate in 3 other Savage rifles...Does not shoot real good groups in a NEF...

[Dand]

I can't say I'm an expert but I've loaded since about 1977. 
Prairie Dog, I am not familiar with the optimal loading concept so can't speak to it.
I do think there are basic loads of a particurlar cartridge that tend to do well in many guns - safely.

Where it gets tricky is if your loads for your gun are at the upper limits in some manner: max powder, minimum bullet seating depth, minimal brass sizing.

For instance I have a 300 win mag rifle built by HS Precision. Its got a match chamber and long throat. My ammo won't even fit in most factory rifles because my bullets are seated out quite a way, and I only partially resize my cases.  I also have a bit more powder in the case.  I WOULD NOT loan my ammo to any other 300 win shooter.

Same for my .223 ammo for my Ruger 1 - again the bullets are seated far out beyond normal specs. in partially sized cases.

But if the ammo you build is well under max for powder charge and primer combination, brass is good and full length sized and bullets are seated into SAAMI OAL standards, I would think you should be ok and performance should be reasonably good.  That's how factory ammo works so well in so many different arms.

You'd also want to know if the rifle for which the ammo is "borrowed" tends to show pressure early (tight bore and or chamber) or if it digests heavy loads easily.

[daddywpb]

There is no guarantee that a good load will be good in another rifle, even the same make and model. Unfortunately, all barrels and the way they are bedded, are not created equal.

[Lloyd Smale]

yes and no. Some loads and bullets just seem to work good in about anything but theres allways an exception. Take your .308 for example. Ive loaded for a few and have yet to find one that didnt like siera 165 fb spitzers and a good stiff load of 4064. it may not be the best load in every .308 but it will shoot well in everyone ive tried it in.

[bigjeepman]

I agree with all that has been said. I do believe there are some "universal" loads (including factory) that seem to work well in a lot of rifles. I am very glad there aren't loads out there that are absolute. That would sure ruin all the fun I have tweaking my reloads to find my "best" load. Like LLoyd said ... yes and no for the original question.

[STexhunter]

I've reloaded for 30 plus years and am still learning.  I once worked up a load many years ago for a old Mossberg 308 and it shot good.  I've since used the same load in a other 308's and a Rem. 7600 and it works great.  It shoots best in the Rem. pump.  The same thing in 30/06.  One a Savage and the other a bolt Remington. The powders I use are 4064 and 4895. These loads have become my standard's for these calibers as far as group size.  While my "standard" loads shoot good in all my rifles, I have found that one rifle may group the load better than the other.  That being said I believe that all rifles are different due to bedding, barrels etc. and there is no guarantee that a particular load will shoot the same in all rifles.  Kinda (maybe a dumb comparison) like cars of the same make and model, one will go on and on with no trouble, while another gives nothing but trouble.  

[beemanbeme]

I think there are several generic loads for different calibres out there that if you were looking for a good hunting load say, would be your starting and stopping point.  However, I don't think what would be an "absolute" load for my rifle would be the same for your's.