Hodgden Load Data Changed for Longshot and Accurate # 9

[TXCOONDOG]

My reloading notes show in 2017 that Hodgden website showed a max charge of Longshot at 9.5 grains for 180gr JHP. Now it shows a max charge of 8.2grs. Even # 9 max charge has been reduce by 1.4 grains

Of course, Hornady 9th Edition Manual has the 180 XTP max charge of Longshot @ 8.2 grs and max charge of #9 @ 14.9gr.

I only have a pound left of the longshot that I did my testing with back then, but recently bought an 8lb jug and will work up to see if something is different. I have two pounds of # 9 before I get into the new stuff which I will work up to ensure safe pressures, etc.


Have the formulas changed for Longshot and # 9? 

[sqlbullet]

Velocity and charge are down, but pressure is up.  That would suggest a formulation change.  I can't say I have read about any such change, but it seems to be suggested.

Or, they have better pressure test equipment and found they were over boundary before.

[Graybeard]

The Longshot is likely the same. I've purchased an 8lb jug within the last year and it hasn't shown me any differences. If I'm not mistaken, A#9 has changed burn rates a couple of times over the years.

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing a workup since this new data is out in the world. Good luck with it and please let us know how that goes.

[TXCOONDOG]

Not discouraged at all. Just something I noticed and need to go back to basics of working up and watching for pressure signs.

I use to push everything to the max, but learned accuracy and constancy is king!

[RedTeam98]

Another lawyer got involved in the load data !
Watered Down again !

[sqlbullet]

Hard to blame lawyers when the pressure is higher.  Velocity sells, and pressure test is pretty easy to defend, and to validate.

[crkckr]

It is likely that the latest batches of LS & AA9 have changed, something that happens over the years.  If you've been loading at the older levels without problems and you have a stash of older powder I would continue using it.  However, if you have a new batch of powders, I would tend to use the new max charges.  That said, I would guess that if you were to call Hodgdon they would tell you to use the new figures for all powders!  I don't know if that's just a "CYA" move or if they actually screwed up on the first figures, something I find hard to believe since they are so cautious to begin with! 

Much of this depends on your experience in reading pressure signs and the use of a chronograph.  For instance, I generally dont3have much trouble going over the book max... by a little bit!  For instance, if the book max is 9.8 gr. of XYZ powder, I generally don't have trouble going to 10.0 gr, as l9ng as the 9.8 was ok.  I would also look for a slight increase in velocity.  How much?  Maybe 25 or so fps but certainly not much more.  However, going from 9.1 to 10.0?  Nope!  Not without very careful work up, anyway.  For instance, I am currently working on 10mm 180 gr loads.  I was, in fact, using a relatively new batch of Longshot.  My load data shows a max of 9.6 gr. and a velocity of 1275 fps.  This load worked just fine in my Glock 40 (most other data shows 8.2 or even 8.0 as a max.  Honestly I don't remember where I got the 9.6 figure and I can no longer find it!  I'm usually pretty good about my sources but this time I failed).  At any rate, the brass looked good at 9.6 so I pushed it to 9.8 and then 10.0 and again the brass was fine, so i loaded 3 and shot them over my Pact chrono.  Imagine my surprise when they clocked in at 1597-1690 and 1716!  Egads!  Something is way, way off and I was fairly certain it was not my chrono!  So, I am dropping way down and starting over.  Lessons:  Anytime you get chrono results that are way over what you expect it is NOT your lucky day.  The same applies if you get erratic chrono readings!  Reading pressure signs from your brass is as much voodoo as it is science and putting too much stock in what you think is a good load based only on what you think the brass is telling you is foolish!   When dealing with maximum charges in any caliber requires maximum caution.  A little luck doesn't hurt either!
Cheers,
crkckr

[The_Shadow]

I have mentioned before that Accurate #9 has undergone like 5 formulation changes over the years.
My first canister of #9 was the very fine Microbeads  mostly WC820 90%, WC 350 10%
Later batches were No 9 Blend (IMI No7 20%, WC 820 80%
The newer batch of #9 is all flatten ball powder and has a better burn rate and is likely why Hodgdon dropped the charge weighs of the older listed data from Accurate Arms Powders.

[Jtigertic]

I noticed this difference when they put out the 2022 load data, you will notice though that the 200gr Hornady jhp lists 8.2gr as max charge also. If you look you will see they changed to the sierra jhc for the 180gr load data so I believe the change is probably due to bullet length and design which caused a difference in pressure. That or Hodgdon screwed up which given the lawyers I doubt the data would still be published online if that were the case. As always start low and work up safely using all means to watch for pressure signs. Just slight differences in brass, primers, or firearm can sometimes make a big difference in pressure.