Being brand new to reloading, shot my first reloads yesterday, I have a question that no doubt someone on this forum knows the answer to. The rifle is a Pedersoli 1874 Sharps with a 30" barrel. The load in question is 47.5 grains of H4198 with a Hornady 300 grain jacketed HP bullet. The Hodgdon load charts list 45 grains of H4198 as driving a 300 grain Sie Hp @1807 FPS & 55 grains same powder same bullet at 2221 FPS. I thought that the extra 2.5 grains would raise the velocity to slightly above the 1880 FPS that Winchester claims for their 300 grain loads. I was surprised to find a very marked increase in recoil with the handloads compared to the Winchester loads which raised this question in my mind, are some factory velocity claims similiar to the HP claims back in the 60.s?
Thanks,Bob

Chrongraph....The 30" tube should be producing higher velocities.
I have 2 45-70's a Ruger #3 and a #1. I use 51.0 gr IMR 4198 with the Nosler 300 gr Partition and the velocities are a shade over 2100fps in both rifles. Same powder charge 4198 and a 350gr Hawk RN HP at 1950fps. These loads are safe in a Ruger single shot action I'm not sure of the Pedersoli. The recoil in the #3 will loosen your fillings but it is extremely accurate in my rifle. Chronograph's are relatively inexpensive and will tell you a whole bunch about whats happening with your reloads. Takes a lot of the doubt out. Most factory loads are 'lawyer proof ' pressure loads. They have to be sure someone isn't shooting +P stuff throught a Trapdoor Springfield. It doesn't take a big increase in velocity with heavy bullets to make big difference at your shoulder.

Thanks for the reply! According to the Hodgdon charts 45 grains of H4198 with a 300 gr. jacketed bullet will produce 1807 FPS with 16,700 cup while 55 grains produce 2221 FPS with 27,600 cup. This gun is so heavy that the recoil is not bad but I was surprised that what I thought would basically deplicate factory loads is apparently stronger. I thought that maybe the factories might "fudge" their velocity figures a little, A buddy of mine does have a chrongraph and if the weather wholds we may get a changeto some up with some figures.
Thanks again,
Bob

You cannot really draw a corrolation between the published data and what your load actually does in your gun. There are many variables that change results, such as barrel length, bore diameter, bulllet diameter, bullet jacket composition, plus a few others. In addition to those, the factory rounds are seldom loaded with the same powders you buy off the shelf. What you need to look for is accuracy , not top bullet speed. Also try different bullet weights, your gun might shoot better with heavier bullets.