Mixing powder loads, safety, and variables?

[His lordship.]

I have some RX7 powder left over from shooting cast bullets in my 30-06 bolt action rifle from last Summer.  I bought a box of 130 gr. jacketed bullets and would like to use up the powder and experiment to see if I can get a decent load with these bullets.

My loading tables in the book "Lyman 48th Edition Reloading Handbook", shows no listing for the RX7 with 130 gr. bullets, but does show an application for 125 gr.  If I start out with the low loading data for the 125 gr. can I safely use the bullet/powder combo of this?  Just how sensitive is this idea, in other words, could I use other powders for heavier or lighter bullets that are close in dimensions?  If so, how far can you loadup on unlisted loads before there is danger or stress on the gun.  Minimal loads, 10% over, etc.?

I used to shoot black powder guns, and we found a wide variety of safe applications that you could get away with.  I know that smokeless powders are more potent.

Thanks.

[ricciardelli]

For the '06 with 103'sa it is safe to use the same loads as for 125's...on the lower end.

RL-7 From 37.8 grains to 43.0 grains
 Winchester WLR Primer

[bigdaddytacp]

I have some RX7 powder left over from shooting cast bullets in my 30-06 bolt action rifle from last Summer.  I bought a box of 130 gr. jacketed bullets and would like to use up the powder and experiment to see if I can get a decent load with these bullets.

My loading tables in the book "Lyman 48th Edition Reloading Handbook", shows no listing for the RX7 with 130 gr. bullets, but does show an application for 125 gr.  If I start out with the low loading data for the 125 gr. can I safely use the bullet/powder combo of this?  Just how sensitive is this idea, in other words, could I use other powders for heavier or lighter bullets that are close in dimensions?  If so, how far can you loadup on unlisted loads before there is danger or stress on the gun.  Minimal loads, 10% over, etc.?

I used to shoot black powder guns, and we found a wide variety of safe applications that you could get away with.  I know that smokeless powders are more potent.

Thanks.

.............As the other post states you will be fine with the 125 load reccomendations and as always just work up to the load YOUR gun likes or shows as ITS max load.........and there is NO set limit of how far you can go over a book loading......the size of the chamber,resizing die,brand of brass,lot# of the powder,bullet construction,primer and enviremental condition-temp and humidity all have different degrees of influence on the pressure a mix of all the different factors will produce......you just have to look for the indicators that say your brass,powder,bullet,primer and gun-chamber are showing high pressure.....by experience, measurements-comparing the known normal pressure load to the handload and some of the new straingauge equipment and a chronograph will give you a good picture of the pressure.....brass life and growing/trimming required also can be factors......this makes handloading interesting and you did right by asking before you try a new to you option.......there is such a vast amount of knowledge among the boards and I learn things I didn't even realize I didn't know......and that increases the fun of loading and shooting to me......good luck and good shooting-loading!!!