What to do when starting and max loads are the same?

[Maplicito]

I've been gearing up to start reloading some 303 British brass... and I can't find any documented loads for my IMR4831, but I did find one for my Reloader 19.  The problem is - the suggested starting load and the "never exceed load" are both entirely identical.  I noticed that there are other loads that are definitely rated as having a higher pressure.

Am I okay going with the starting load?  Does it just mean there was no testing done above that starting load?  My .303 is 91 years old - and while it fires factory ammo just fine, I'm not interested in pushing the limits with this gun, I want to treat it nicely.  I was never intending to try loading it much above a start load anyway, but starting right at the "never exceed" load kind of concerns me.

Am I being worried over nothing?  Or would you get another powder to work with to be on the safe side?  The other part of the equation is I have magnum primers, so once again, having no choice but to start at the max load bothers me.

[corbanzo]

You should try and find more sources.  I'm sure if you list your bullet weight and type, we may be able to find something for you. 

[Castaway]

4831 is a fairly slow powder and is best in large volume cases and heavier bullets.  3031, 4895 or Varget, are a few of the powders better suited to your needs.

[njanear]

4831 is a fairly slow powder and is best in large volume cases and heavier bullets.  3031, 4895 or Varget, are a few of the powders better suited to your needs.

I agree with Castaway - you really should check out another powder (and get some standard LR primers too).  Don't risk damaging a 91 year old rifle (or yourself) by trying to stick with the powder that you have on hand - just go ahead and pay ~$22 for a pound of new powder and ~$3/100 for some LRPs, and work it up right with the available information. 

The Hodgdon Reloading Center has numerous loads with both starting and max loads to check out, using powders such as Varget, H4895, H335, etc.      http://data.hodgdon.com/

[Scibaer]

You asked what you should do when the listed starting loads and the max loads are the same.
1st. get another manual, getting more sources for information is a good thing.
2nd. some books list only the max loads. his may be the case of the book you have, if you compare it to other books you will see this to be true
3rd. if you see only one listing, reduce load by no less then 10% to start, you may want to go as low as 15% to start if you have a fast burning powder.
4th. dont load up or fire a handload that you are unsure of, you can get hurt, blow up the gun its not worth the risk, ever.

 i hope this helps.
glenn

[beemanbeme]

I agree that 4831 is too slow for use in the .303. I'm not much into Reloder powder but I would think that RX19 would be too slow also.
Lyman's 48th has quite a bit of info on the .303. They suggest powders in the H4895/Varget/RX15 range.

[Maplicito]

I'm using 180 grain Speer RN bullets.  As mentioned, the powders are Reloader 19 and IMR 4831 - I've looked in Richard Lee's handloading manual, I've also looked in the data provided by both Alliant powders and Hodgdons.  I've emailed both companies to see what their take is on it.

Unless either of them write back, and tell me otherwise, I think I'll just get another powder like you guys have suggested.  And the primers too.  I've tried to keep as few different components as possible while starting out, to avoid confusion, but I'm getting comfortable enough with reloading, it shouldn't be a big issue.  Besides, like I said, this rifle is 91 years old - I don't see a reason to abuse it.

Thanks for the responses!

[corbanzo]

In the speer manual the min load for IMR4831 is 43grns at 2218fps, and max is 47grns at 2421fps. 



The loads listed in alliants website are recommended loads.  I have found that they are on the middle to low end of the spectrum when compared to bullet mfg recommendations. 

[Chilachuck]

Typographical errors are not impossible. See what another book says about the same powder.

[jhalcott]

map, what Speer manual are you looking at?  My old #11 manual shows the .303 round on page 256. It also states that max loads CAN stretch the action of the SMLE rifle.  the loads listed are with standard large rifle primers.
   43 gr= 2218fps
   45gr=2309
   47gr=2421
   You are solely responsible for the use of this data. ALWAYS start low and work up!

[Maplicito]

Jhalcott - I haven't actually gotten to look at a Speer manual yet.  I've been thinking this gives me an excuse to get one though.  As for starting low and working up - I'm kind of intending to start low, and stay relatively low.  I want to relegate this rifle to nothing but leisurely plinking, so I don't have any need to work up hot loads in it.  Thanks for the information though, it gives me that starting point I needed.

[dave375hh]

When the starting load and the max load are the same it usually means the case won't hold any more than that. The burning rates of your two powders are too slow for that case. Try the faster ones suggested above.

[beemanbeme]

Don't know what other reloading you plan on doing but one of the 4895s and/or Varget would be a good "middle of the road" powder that has a wide application that would do nicely in your powder inventory. 
 While perhaps not ideal at either extreme, their usefulness would span 30-06 to .222 type cartridges.

[Maplicito]

Well, I heard back from Alliant, and they said start with 45 grains of Reloader 19, and don't go past 50.  I think I'll do that for now, but down the road I'll probably pick up another powder.

[EsoxLucius]

Check out the Hodgdon site: http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/Standarddata(Rifle)/311Cal(7.90mm)/303%20British%20pages%20282%20and%20283.pdf

Alliant lists 50 grains as the maximum for the 180 grain Speer in the 303 British with Reloder 19.  That means a starting load (-10%) would be 45 grains or less. http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Centerfire%20Load&gtypeid=2&weight=180&shellid=1077&bulletid=283

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/loadguide/Ramshot_V4.2.2.pdf