Hand Gun Data Used for Rifle

[JCPOST]

Looking for some guidance.

I’ve never reloaded hand gun cartridges for rifle use. Now that I have my H012, 44 mag I’ve been looking around for some recipes. But some of my powder/bullet combos only have handgun data.

Is there a “right way” to use hand gun data as a starting point for rifle load development?

Thanks

[Hatchdog]

It’s my understanding that the same load in a rifle will have more pressure than in a revolver. This is due to the gap between the cylinder and the forcing cone on the revolvers that released some gas prior to entering the barrel. My Speer, Hornady and Sierra show different data for rifles. You need to look in the rifle section of the manual under the caliber for rifle data for handgun cartridges.

[JEBar]

the load data in my Nosler Manual is the same for 44 mag rifle and revolver

[CT_Shooter]

It’s my understanding that the same load in a rifle will have more pressure than in a revolver. This is due to the gap between the cylinder and the forcing cone on the revolvers that released some gas prior to entering the barrel. My Speer, Hornady and Sierra show different data for rifles. You need to look in the rifle section of the manual under the caliber for rifle data for handgun cartridges.

I agree.

Rifle load data start with less powder than Revolver load data because of that cylinder gap. If you use a starting load for Rifles in a Revolver, you may experience a squib.

If you're looking for a load that you can shoot with both, use the starting load for Revolvers and work up from there toward the max load for Revolvers. They will all be fine in your Rifle, but a lot faster.

[JCPOST]

Yes, for some powders there are both rifle and handgun data but not for everything. Many powders and bullets only are listed in handgun sections of manuals.

I’m not sure if it makes all that much difference as long as you’re not pushing limits. If you were just buying cartridges off of the shelf you wouldn’t blow up your receiver or have a bullet stall out in the barrel.

I’m thinking if you stay on the upper side of handgun data you’re probably at a good place to start working loads—I’m just not sure.

I’d feel better if someone with experience would chime in…I haven’t seen anything online about it.

[JCPOST]

It’s my understanding that the same load in a rifle will have more pressure than in a revolver. This is due to the gap between the cylinder and the forcing cone on the revolvers that released some gas prior to entering the barrel. My Speer, Hornady and Sierra show different data for rifles. You need to look in the rifle section of the manual under the caliber for rifle data for handgun cartridges.

I agree.

Rifle load data start with less powder than Revolver load data because of that cylinder gap. If you use a starting load for Rifles in a Revolver, you may experience a squib.

If you're looking for a load that you can shoot with both, use the starting load for Revolvers and work up from there toward the max load for Revolvers. They will all be fine in your Rifle, but a lot faster.

Thanks, that makes sense…

[Hatchdog]

I have quite a bit of experience reloading for handgun caliber rifles and do use the rifle data if available. Mostly, but not always, rifle data will start above and end below handgun data. When recently reloading for a 41 mag rifle using Hornady bullets I first checked my Hornady manual and found they did not list data for the 41 in the rifle section. Both Speer and Sierra did list data, very strange.

But, if you stay off the handgun max load you will be fine. And, never screw up and look at the Ruger Only or the T/C Contender only data. Don’t ask me how I know……….didn’t do it but I did look at that page one time when looking up data.

[Headhog]

Here is a quote from Hodgdons reloading information. This should answer you question about using handgun reloading data for pistol caliber rifles:

" DOES SHOOTING A PISTOL CALIBER IN A RIFLE CHANGE THE RELOAD DATA?
You list data for Pistol in my caliber, but I have a rifle chambered for that cartridge. What change in the data is needed shooting a pistol caliber in a rifle?

We often get this question. In asking, the customer is unsure if the different barrel length will necessitate a loading data change in the powder chosen. Let’s preface the answer with a quick guide on testing data.

All our data is tested for Pressure and Velocity with instrumented equipment as established by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI). The dimensions of the test equipment are established by SAAMI, both internal (such as chamber) and external such as barrel length. The barrel length is set based upon most popular usage. Rifle calibers are set at 24 inch barrels. Handgun calibers are set based upon the most common use at the time, i.e. a 45 Auto barrel is based upon the barrel length of a 1911, and a 38 Special barrel based upon a standard police issue revolver.

The first thing to remember is that the chamber dimension does not change based upon application. A 223 Remington chamber is the same whether the gun it is in is a handgun or a rifle. The chamber dimension determines the pressure. So, the pressure is the same when fired in that chamber in a rifle or a handgun. The barrel length has no impact on the chamber pressure and hence the reloading data (powder charge and pressure).

The length of the barrel will change the actual velocity you observe. In general as the barrel gets shorter than standard the velocity will lower, and as the barrel gets longer than standard the velocity will increase. This does not change the reload data (powder charge and pressure), just the velocity.

Please note that there is no magic number for how much velocity is lost or gained by changing barrel length. This is because cartridges go from big to small and use varying amounts of different burn speed propellants. The only way to know for sure what the effect is with your different barrel length is to shoot over a chronograph.

So, the quick answer to the question is that the different barrel length will not change the reload data but it will impact the velocity you get."

Paul

[JCPOST]

Perfect, I thank you!

[Johnnyjr]

No problem using handgun loads in your rifle. Your going to gain in velocity..though..

[Shakey Jake]

Western, Hogdon, and Nosler all have their load data online:
https://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-conte ... 16_Web.pdf
https://www.nosler.com/load-data/calibe ... -data.html
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/?_ga=2 ... 1639097687
Jake

[TheBackyardRange]

Gas at peak pressure in a revolver would have minimal leak due to the fact that peak pressure happens when the bullet hits the forcing cone and engages the rifling as these are obstructions. At that point, for the most part, the bullet is obstructing the cylinder gap. How much pressure escapes through the cylinder gap after the bullet is in the barrel will only effect the final velocity. Once the bullet is in the barrel, the pressure should never reach that peak pressure unless there is a barrel obstruction.

The same principle applies to the rifle. Peak pressure will be when the bullet enters the rifling. The difference will be the final velocity because more of the pressure is retained, at least until the bullet velocity exceeds the expansion of gas, in which case the bullet will begin to slow down while still in the barrel. I’ve seen this happen with low volume, low pressure cartridges and fast powder combinations, like 38 special.

If you are using lower pressure, slower burning powders like H110, Lil’ Gun, 300-MP, a small amount of reduction has a big impact on peak pressure with very little loss in velocity due to more stable, constant pressure throughout the entire length of the barrel. In other words, You can push the bullet much faster with a less forceful push because the push lasts much longer.

[TheBackyardRange]

Here’s a good chart to help identify the slower burning powders

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