The NSRA guidance document on "downloading" ammunition.

[dromia]

I thought that the NRA were no longer certifying ranges, was this not posted in another thread recently.

What does downloaded mean BTW? Downloaded from what? Is there an agreed velocity/ME and anything below that is downloaded? Is it the SAMMI/CIP pressures for a cartridge? If so then many factory loadings will be downloaded.

[Robert303]

The certificates we have are headed 'Safety Certificate for a Target Shooting Range' and were issued this week by the N.R.A.
As to what downloaded means I can only ASSUME that it means using a different propellant or different quanity of propellant to reduce the muzzle velocity / energy to whatever the shooter requires that is lower than manfactuers given muzzle velocity / energy.

[dromia]

But different manufacturers ammunition for any given calibre/bullet weight will be different.

The industry standard is SAAMI/CIP specifications most factory ammunition will be "downloaded" from that what about subsonic 22rf ammunition that is clearly "downloaded" so not recommended by the NSRA?

[Sim G]

The NSRA are not a regulatory body with regards to "range safety". They do nothing more that assess the facility in respect of their own specifications and deem it within those parameters. This is for nothing more than a reference point for your insurance company. Clubs can always present their own range specs themselves. The NSRA are trying to paint themselves as the experts therefore their inclusion to become "mandatory". There's money to be made...

It appears that the meddling by these "national" organisations will do nothing more than bring about the downfall of all of the shooting sports not conducted within their discipline.

[saddler]

The NSRA are not a regulatory body with regards to "range safety". They do nothing more that assess the facility in respect of their own specifications and deem it within those parameters. This is for nothing more than a reference point for your insurance company. Clubs can always present their own range specs themselves. The NSRA are trying to paint themselves as the experts therefore their inclusion to become "mandatory". There's money to be made...

It appears that the meddling by these "national" organisations will do nothing more than bring about the downfall of all of the shooting sports not conducted within their discipline.

...aka the NRA-Bisley-Approach re. self-loading rifles, pistols, etc. "WE don't do that, so WE see no valid reasons why ANYBODY else should..."

[ovenpaa]

What an odd document, I was really surprised to read a suggested down-load for .308 with Hi-Skor 700X - It is available over here however it would not be my first choice.

[Robert303]

Saddler: to be fair the NRA have lightened up in the last couple of years and do seem to ne trying to encourage all types of shooting. They've even had a picture of an LBR on a fairly recent front cover of the Rifleman! I do think they are on the turn for the better. I cannot comment on the NSRA.

[saddler]

Saddler: to be fair the NRA have lightened up in the last couple of years and do seem to ne trying to encourage all types of shooting. They've even had a picture of an LBR on a fairly recent front cover of the Rifleman! I do think they are on the turn for the better. I cannot comment on the NSRA.

The "last couple of years" has zero bearing on their past attitudes & the loss of too much British shooting sport, due to their blinkered approach at the critical time(s) in question...

[Laurie]

What an odd document, I was really surprised to read a suggested down-load for .308 with Hi-Skor 700X - It is available over here however it would not be my first choice.

Yes, that puzzled me too. He's obviously never heard of Trail Boss, Accurate 5744 or similar specialist powders. The old and now withdrawn IMR-SR4759 was actually developed by DuPont at US Army request to download .30-06 ball and AP rounds. The army people were investigating bullet terminal performance at long ranges where velocities had dropped off. It was found both difficult and time consuming to use full-power ammunition on whatever they were shooting at placed 800 - 1,100 yards away, so they wanted severe downloads that would provide the same terminal velocities at only 50 or 100 yards from the muzzle. It seems those ordnance people were very and strangely careless - but then they were 'official' practitioners and that makes it OK? The very first Speer reloading manual I owned many, many years back had downloads for one or two bullets in all popular American cartridges usually using IMR-4198 powder. They were not nearly as as much downloaded though as can be safely done now with Trail Boss.

Incidentally in his 308 Win example, he quotes a 'normal' N140 load of 45gn which is certainly 'normal' as being in line with what most people use. As Viht's maxima for both 155gn bullet loads are below 45gn and only rise above for the moly coated 155gn Silver Scenar, he's the perpetrator of a heinous crime by his own strictures of failing to observe the NEVER EVER exceed manufacturers' maximum loads.

[Sim G]

So who is he?!!!