Following components exactly?

[Star1pup]

I always try to use everything the same from a published recipe, but I have a friend who mixes up hulls, primers, etc.  How close do you guys follow and just how bad is it to ue a Cheddite primer when it calls for Winchester, or switch to a CCI, etc.

I've read the Lyman book that does not recommend any switches, but I wonder how much they err on the side of safety.

And, don't worry.  I understand that any thing you say is not for me to try, except as my own decision.

[Graybeard]

I'm kinda sorta like your friend. If I don't have the exact components I just use what I have that is closest to it in shotguns. Yeah I know I really shouldn't but after a quarter million or more shotshells down the tubes of my guns I've come to accept that it can't be all that unsafe what I'm doing. The hulls last a really long time and unlike some I see on the skeet range I've yet to have one rifle on me and leave only the base in the barrel.

I'd stick as closely as possible to the recipe but I long ago stopped worrying if I need to swap a wad, hull or primer in a recipe cuz I don't have it exactly as shown. It's what I do not necessarily what I recommend you do. You'll need to decide that for yourself.

[Val]

Cheddite primers are indeed interchangeable with the Winchesters. I shot several thousand of them with never a problem and I know lot of others who use them. During a long stretch when we couldn't get Winchesters we started using the Cheddites. they are less expensive than the Winchesters so many people won't go back to Winchester. As far as changing components if you look at the powder manufacturer web sites you'll likely find a call out with the component you have. More often than not you won't need to change anything else.

[.45 COLT]

Not that I'm recommending this but........Back when plastic wads first appeared, a lot of companies started making wads. Most were made for target loads only at first. They were seperated into two groups, one for low-basewad hulls and the other for high-basewad hulls. Rule of thumb was, if it physically fit the load, I used it. Same with primers - two sizes, the 57* and the 209. Whatever one had on had, it was used (as long as it physically fit the hull being loaded). The only time caution was really necessary was when a recipe (field load) called for a card OP wad, it could be dangerous to substitute a PGS or AirWedge. I never had any problems, but, as I said, I don't necessarily recommend it to anybody else.

DC

[mcwoodduck]

From what I can tell changing primers will just change your FPS by about 5, same as shooting a 27" barrel. 
As far as hull, wad, and powder.  I follow that one pretty close.
the internal dimentions of shells are different.
If he just reloads to relaod no problem.
But if he is looking for a consistant load to improve scores....
He need to load all the same.

[Sir Charles deMoutonBlack]

If you collect enough of the free pamphlets that the powder folks hand out through your local dealer sooner or later you will come across about every recipe possible.  If you notice, changes in combinations of components usually have powder charges varying by no more than a grain or two.  My rule is to stick to the lowest powder charge with the powder, hull, and shot load I want to use.  Then any substitutions in non-listed wads or primers keep the risk factor well below critical.

Mostly I load for cas and target games, but even with hunting loads, moderate powder loads usually get the job done.  If you just have to go hot, stick to the book!

I'm kinda in Graybeards camp.