Hodgdon Load Data A-Z

This guide details how to test propellant temperature sensitivity, a crucial factor for consistent long-range accuracy. It emphasizes using a reliable chronograph and testing ammunition across a wide temperature range, from cold to hot conditions. The process involves calculating the muzzle velocity change per degree Fahrenheit to understand how temperature fluctuations affect performance, enabling shooters to account for these variations in their ballistic solutions.

This video details the comprehensive load development process for a 300 Norma Magnum rifle aimed at achieving one-mile accuracy. Lead Firearms Instructor Gavin from Ultimate Reloader guides viewers through selecting premium components, meticulously testing various powder charges with Berger 245gr hybrid bullets, and validating the optimal load at extended ranges. The process emphasizes achieving low standard deviation and tight group sizes, culminating in successful hits at 706 yards, 0.8 miles, and ultimately, one mile.

This video demonstrates the significant impact of primer choice on reloading results. By switching from Remington Gold primers to Federal 210 primers, the presenter observed a notable increase in average velocity and a decrease in standard deviation, even with identical other load components. The test highlights how primer selection can affect accuracy and point of impact.

This video explores the complexities of high-pressure and hybrid ammunition, featuring insights from ammunition designer Jesse (Boondock Battle Station). It debunks the notion of 'easy plug-and-play' performance gains, highlighting manufacturing challenges, potential weapon system degradation, and the need for redesigned components. The discussion emphasizes that current commercial high-pressure loads offer modest velocity increases, and the true potential lies in future weapon system development for smaller platforms.

This expert-level guide, drawing on extensive historical and practical knowledge, demystifies the .38 Special cartridge. It highlights the caliber's combat origins, its evolution to include potent +P loads, and the enduring practicality of snub-nose revolvers for self-defense. The instruction emphasizes shootability, shot placement, and the benefits of handloading, making the .38 Special a continuously relevant choice.

This video demonstrates the terminal ballistics of a 13mm socket fired from a shotgun. The projectile was tested for accuracy and penetration in ballistic gelatin. The results indicate the socket is surprisingly effective, creating a significant wound channel and exiting the target.

This video details the comprehensive manufacturing process of brass rifle casings by Peterson Cartridge. It covers the transformation of raw brass cups through multiple drawing, annealing, washing, heading, trimming, and tapering stages. The process emphasizes precision, quality control through extensive automated and manual inspection, and specialized treatments like neck re-annealing and anti-tarnish coating to ensure match-grade performance.

This guide details essential brass preparation steps beyond basic decapping and sizing for improved reloading accuracy. It covers cleaning, primer pocket uniforming, neck chamfering and deburring, and neck brushing. The video emphasizes that even new brass can benefit from these processes to ensure consistent bullet seating and optimal performance. The presenter, F-class John from Ultimate Reloader, highlights chamfering and deburring as critical steps that should not be skipped, regardless of time constraints.

This video debunks the myth that solid copper bullets require extremely high velocities for effective hunting performance. Through ballistics gel testing and analysis of 7 PRC loads using Barnes TTSX and LRX bullets, Gavin Gear demonstrates excellent expansion and weight retention across a wide velocity range, including lower velocities equivalent to longer ranges. The testing highlights the versatility and effectiveness of modern monolithic copper projectiles for various hunting scenarios and legal requirements.

This video details extreme pressure testing of the 6mm ARC cartridge using both a bolt-action rifle and an AR-15 platform. The experiment pushes the limits of Alpha Munitions brass with 8208 XBR powder, achieving velocities exceeding factory specifications and even 6 Creedmoor. The testing culminates in destructive attempts using a fast-burning pistol powder in an AR-15, demonstrating the significant forces involved and the potential for catastrophic failure. The presenter, Gavin Gear, emphasizes that these tests are for research only and should not be replicated due to extreme danger.