.223 max loads redux results

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dirtybarry

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So there is a thread here about how hot do people reload .223 Rem, but it went off the rails.
But I made up 4 different loads yesterday and tried them today anyhow. Used the data published on Hodgdon's site and Western Powder's data for maximum ,223 Remington ammo with 55grain bullets, Where there was more than 1 bullet type listed, I used the highest published load for each type of powder, Loaded the following using PMC brass that has been fired at least 3 times, trimmed to 1.750" with Campro 55gr BT-FMJ bullets and S&B SR primers set to 2.250" COAL because the brass crimped into the cannelure better. 50 pieces of each were loaded and fired except for the Ramshot Tac load that only had 35 done since I'm real low on that powder. Every single round fed, fired and ejected without issue. The gun is a Colt 15.7 IUR upper, DD FA BCG on a self assembled Anderson Arms lower with mostly DPMS parts.

The 4 loads were:

Hodgdon H335 - 25.3gr
Hodgdon Benchmark 25.6gr
Hodgdon H322 23.1gr
Ramshot Tac 25.8gr (note- this is the max load for .223, 5.56 allows a bunch more)

No pressure signs, good accuracy from all, Benchmark is a tad softer shooting, all of these powders would work in a pinch and I don't feel traumatized at all.
Pics to follow later, gotta run and do an ammo deal.
 
CCI BR4 primers, 24.1gr Varget, Lapua brass, 77gr scenars, COAL .010" jump, 24" heavy varmint Benchmark barrel. I'll post some results this weekend. So far with load development, my best 5 shot groups were under 1/4moa at 201 yards.

sorry, it's from a bolt gun
 
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C23 said:
Ramshot TAC is cleaner for me.

Have you noticed a dirtier/cleaner powder than the others?
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Can't say that I have. They all seemed pretty equally clean or dirty. The odd thing is that they do all smell different, Benchmark has the most interesting odor.
 
6MT said:
CCI BR4 primers, 24.1gr Varget, Lapua brass, 77gr scenars, COAL .010" jump, 24" heavy varmint Benchmark barrel. I'll post some results this weekend. So far with load development, my best 5 shot groups were under 1/4moa at 201 yards.

sorry, it's from a bolt gun
Click to expand...

Have you noticed significant POI changes compared to the Nosler and Sierra 77's ?
 
Now with pics. Interesting thing about dark blue and purple Sharpie markers, after the ink is heated both look the same! These are huge pics so feel free to expand them as much as you want to examine the primers and case heads.

2w56849.jpg




2daf7v7.jpg
 
dirtybarry said:
Now with pics. Interesting thing about dark blue and purple Sharpie markers, after the ink is heated both look the same! These are huge pics so feel free to expand them as much as you want to examine the primers and case heads.

2w56849.jpg




2daf7v7.jpg
Click to expand...

As soon as I see flattened primers or ejector marks, I back off the powder charge.

I see plenty of ejector marks in this case and even extractor flow.
 
When the marks wipe off with a cloth, they don't count. And then there is that part about this brass had already been fired at least 3 times with 2 of those times at medium high 5.56 NATO levels.

Exact same order with some ink cleaned off. Under fluorescent light the purple and blue are visibly different but I didn't bother to change them around.

198jsj.jpg
 
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dirtybarry said:
When the marks wipe off with a cloth, they don't count. The marks are only through the ink layer.
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My results were very similar. The loads are almost identical.

Are you doing these by weight or volume?

My go to for CQB Drills/Plinking/ 25gr H335 55gr FMJBT
 
C23 said:
My results were very similar. The loads are almost identical.

Are you doing these by weight or volume?

My go to for CQB Drills/Plinking/ 25gr H335 55gr FMJBT
Click to expand...

Lee Auto Disc measure by volume after selecting the cavity volume by checking the weights.
This whole exercise was for giggles anyhow just to see what max .223 loads actually look like.
For just general shooting, I'd probably back them down to save powder and wear and tear on the brass.

PS - had a quick look at the BCG and other than being dirty it looks peachy
 
dirtybarry said:
Feel free to tell the powder manufacturers that.

RAMSHOT TAC
55 HDY BT-FMJ 24.5 3,159 27.3 3,450 61,335 2.200
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No need to act like a mad chicken. This has nothing to do with the powder manufacturer.
You posted a load that has a psi of 61 335
Max saami spec for 223 is 55 000 psi
Max 556 spec is 62 000 psi.

This load is much over spec for 223 and in line with a max 556 load like i said.
You confirmed my post.

Now, if you shoot 556 chambers with nato cases, you are shooting 556 and can go with that load.... Not if you shoot 223 cases or in a 223 chamber.
My mixed brass 223 has 223 cases, and i want to shoot it in any 223 rifle, so I load to saami spec for 223 at 55 000 psi max.
Have a good day.
 
Kryogen said:
No need to act like a mad chicken. This has nothing to do with the powder manufacturer.
You posted a load that has a psi of 61 335
Max saami spec for 223 is 55 000 psi
Max 556 spec is 62 000 psi.

This load is much over spec for 223 and in line with a max 556 load like i said.
You confirmed my post.

Now, if you shoot 556 chambers with nato cases, you are shooting 556 and can go with that load.... Not if you shoot 223 cases or in a 223 chamber.
My mixed brass 223 has 223 cases, and i want to shoot it in any 223 rifle, so I load to saami spec for 223 at 55 000 psi max.
Have a good day.
Click to expand...


Stop.........just stop.


 
I'm using 23.1 varget with 55 grain Cam Pro and IVI brass. the results are very acceptable. With a 50 yard 0 its a 6 inch high hold at 200. I would get good hits on zombies at that distance all day long. With factory 5.56 the 0 at 50 holds pretty true (slightly higher but still in the 2 inch center of the target) but the hold over at 200 is only 2 inches.

Loading the brass is a PITA due to the primer crimp. Takes extra time. But after the first load its all good. I was sceptical of the brass but if I do it right I can clover leaf at 50 which was super surprising to see. I usually shoot 3 shot groups for casual bench target practice. Using the same brass definitely does something to help with accuracy. Perhaps consistent case volume? I'm still kinda new, only about 5 weeks in.

Got AR fever though - 2nd one is on the way already and even though its not here yet I'm already shopping for furniture :)
 
TacticalCanuck said:
I'm using 23.1 varget with 55 grain Cam Pro and IVI brass. the results are very acceptable. With a 50 yard 0 its a 6 inch high hold at 200. I would get good hits on zombies at that distance all day long. With factory 5.56 the 0 at 50 holds pretty true (slightly higher but still in the 2 inch center of the target) but the hold over at 200 is only 2 inches.
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Have you chronographed your load? A 50 yard zero should be roughly equal to a 200 yard zero at 3000-ish fps. If you have to hold 3 MOA high those rounds are are just coasting by 200. One of my CQB loads is 25.5 grains of Varget under a 55 Campro and I thought these loads were pretty mild. I've tested loads up to 25.5 grains and saw no pressure signs and accuracy was good.
 
dirtybarry said:
Stop.........just stop.


Click to expand...

Well the thread is about 223 loads and 556 loads are listed. I'm just saying that those loads are all above SAAMI spec for 223.
Could they be fired without issue in 223 chambers? Maybe, probably, maybe not, I don't know, but they are 7000 psi above max 223 specs.

Now, if you load milspec brass in a 5.56 chamber, go ahead with max 5.56 loads.... I personally have 5.56 chambers and fire mostly milspec brass, but I do have mixed headstamp and just to be safe I would rather keep it around 55 000 psi at a max 223 saami spec just to be safe with reloads.
 
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