Originally Posted by
noylj
Why would you EVER reduce 20%, when start loads are just 10% of max loads?
Why? Simple, provided a little common sense is used. And for two reasons. Here's why.
#1: If the load you're using is, say, 5.0 grains of powder, a 2% reduction from 5.0 grains is a mere 5.0 X 0.02 = 0.1 grain. This means your reduced load is only 5.0 - 0.1 = 4.9 grains. And given that nearly all standard powder scales have a resolution of 0.1 grain and a stated accuracy of ±0.1 grain it's a bit of a stretch to imagine someone "working their way up from 4.9 to 5.0 grains".
#2: Furthermore, your broad-brush statement that "start loads are just 10% of max loads" (emphasis mine) is woefully mis-stated as you no doubt meant to write "start loads are just 10% less than max loads". A load that is a mere "10% of max" would probably see the bullet stuck in the barrel, as shown below:
In addition, it fails to recognize the wide variety of load data from both bullet, bullet mold and powder manufacturers. While a good many start loads are about 10% below the maximum, some are 20% below maximum. Yes, 20%. And if you don't believe that 20% figure, you don't have enough load load data for the 45 Auto cartridge.
Sorry, but your 2% rule of thumb fails miserably for 45 Auto loads.
Regards
When you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meagre and unsatisfactory kind. [Lord Kelvin]
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