Cabella's and Wholesale Sports.
Where have you been searching?
My PC worked well with 50gr V-max.
Target Load for .223
- Thread starter CanXB
- Start date
Cabella's and Wholesale Sports.
Where have you been searching?
My PC worked well with 50gr V-max.
Don't worry about Sierra's load data. With jacketed bullets go by bullet weight, you don't need the specific data from the manufacturer. The only data that doesn't necessarily interchange is cast lead, jacketed and monolithic construction bullets. I.e. don't use jacketed data with cast or mono bullets. Any 55 gr. jacketed .223 load is safe and will vary from one rifle to the next. The pressure tested when the loads were worked up was with one specific rifle, case, primer, lot of powder, bullet and atmospheric conditions. Changing one of those variables changes the pressure curve in your rifle. The bullet has the least effect on pressure changes provided its close to the same weight and is of the same basic construction. For example I did a pressure workup for my .308 with 178 gr bullets using 175 gr data because that's all I had. Working up to max only showed very slight primer flattening, no change in bolt lift. I could go a wee bit higher but the max load is already out of my accuracy node. So to summarize, use the starting load for the powder and bullet weight that you've got and work up while watching closely for signs of pressure. So long as it is jacketed load data within a couple grs of the bullets used then don't sweat it. There's enough variation in every rifle, component and load data to make "max" loads an inaccurate guide. Start low and watch for pressure signs. Starting loads are where you stake your safety.
Sgt.RockRules04
Member
- Location
- Niagara Region close to a Bridge
Canxb, Supernova has nailed it, there is a procedure to follow when load developing & every manual spells it out. Its not safe or sane to rush this hobby, think through & recheck your data before pressing bullet & squeezing that trigger. I can fax or photocopy info from my Sierra manual if u like or whatever, what part of the country are u in?, im in Hamilton & will send info by email this afternoon. SgtRock
^great advice. As an aside, if I can't find the bullet/powder I'm after...I search harder or wait. It takes long enough to work-up loads without having to start at ground zero once your bullet of choice finally shows up. Just my 2 cents.
