Thread: 1 load 2 rifles

Hi there probably a silly question but I’ll ask it anyway.
I have had load development done for my rifle about 5 years ago with 3 different loads question is, can I give rounds to my mate to try in his exact same rifle to see if they shoot well?
Thanks

maybe, a risk is if head space is different or throat different due to different tool wear/adjustment/quality control/rounds fired etc problems could occur...

Risky, I would back off the powder charge about 10% and work up the load again in his rifle. Ideally put them over a chronograph from both rifles and see if speed is similar, in basic terms more speed = higher pressure.

Thanks for the heads up he can do his separately cheers

Greetings,
I had two rifles of the same make and model at one time but their chambers were quite different. If your load is no higher than current book max then cutting back a couple of grains and chronographing would be my choice. I would only do this if all the components and their lots are the same. You would still need to check projectile seating depth. You will still need to load the cartridge for his rifle. So in reply to your original question no it is a bad idea especially if your load is tailored for your rifle.
Regards Grandpamac.

As above. The load combo might work in both but the brass / chamber sizing and throat may differ. If your load is warm/hot it increases the risk.


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Three of us had a 30-06 loaded for all 3 the same load.
No problems.

I have a load for my Tikka 7mm rem mag, my son has a sako 7mm rem mag. I was going to load his empty shells with the same load as my riffle as I thought it might be ok but maybe not.

if you are middle of road loading and FLS it should be fine n dandy....
if you hot rodding it....be cautious.

That's what I did bush hunting being a decent size only really needed to go bang and head in the general direction....

If you're within SAMMI (factory) specs and published data for your cartridge then all will be fine.
If you're only partial sizing/bumping shoulder or neck sizing, running higher powder charges or longer seating lengths then it may be over pressure in another gun.

I'd be tempted to load up a few rounds going from 10% below up to your current load, check them in his gun. Provided there all safe you can then decide if your current load is accurate enough in his gun or if separate load development is needed.

So tempting to do but not worth the risk, always work up to pressure for each rifle.

I think the only way this could really come unstuck is if you only neck size and his chamber is tighter so the rounds don't interchange.
When you think about it it's not greatly different to using factory ammo in different rifles.
There are variations true, an aquaintences begara b14 shoots all factory ammo with satisfactory accuracy but gives pressure signs with hornady superperformance (ejector marks) whereas the same ammo in my 308 shows none.
If your loads are moderate and the cases full length sized I can see no problem with what you propose.

I will look into it a bit more before doing anything. I full length size every time.

Apologies guys.
What I attempted to do was replicate a factory load.
So full length resize. reprime and duplicate factory powder charge.
Worked for three of us.
Came down to price only.
Accuracy was pretty good.
A check before going on a trip whack a couple through at 100 yards 2 within 1/2 an inch or so happy.
Two Winchester Featherweights and one BSA from memory.
On a hunting trip didn't have to take many rounds as all had the same.
We were happy.
This was when ammo prices went stupid early eighties.
Booze got to $9 bucks a crate so home brew it was as well.