Reloading question

[Huntbear]

Looking at the chart on Nosler's site, they reference Load Density, what is that?

Load density refers to the % of case filled with powder.  As was said above, most prefer about 90% load density.  Which means  your case is 90% full of powder.  I have loads that are 98% and the bullet seats right down on the powder.  No, it is not a Max load.  Just the type of powder I am using.

[Bofire]

 :)bullets of the same caliber and weight can be different shapes, have different amounts of bearing surface, hence different pressures.
good advice here, as a novice I say: go slow, read a lot, be positive what you are doing, double check everything.
You are gonna love this hobby!
Carl

[KillBilly]

Looking at the chart on Nosler's site, they reference Load Density, what is that?

Load density refers to the % of case filled with powder.  As was said above, most prefer about 90% load density.  Which means  your case is 90% full of powder.  I have loads that are 98% and the bullet seats right down on the powder.  No, it is not a Max load.  Just the type of powder I am using.

Again, 90% is dependant on the case being used. As stated earlier, different cases have different volume and 90% in a Lapua case may equal 90 + % in a Nato or federal case.

[Huntbear]

Agree totally Killbilly.  Was just giving the simple answer to the question.  Did not want to confuse the reloading newby. 

[cwuwildcat]

Is there a reliable way to determine how much of the cases volume is filled by powder, and is the volumne measured from the web to the bottom or top of a neck on a bottle neck case?  I'm guessing that you would fill a case with powder, take it's weight, and then do the math to determine the amount of grains for 90%?

[Huntbear]

Actually, use water.  then weigh it.

[cwuwildcat]

Is it considered filled at the top of the case, or at the top of the shoulder?

[C-Money]

I think a case is full at the top of the neck, flush with the top! This is also a compressed load. I dont load anything that I need to compress. You can get in to compressed loads with slower powders in small cases.