slightly confused with reloading info

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jon1985

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I am slightly confused with some reloading info I have.

I am reloading campro 55g fmj in .223 with BLC-2. Here is the info I have from 3 sources.

Lyman
55gr jacketed soft point 23.0-26.5grain

Hodgdon
55 GR. BAR TSX FB 23.4-26.0grain
55 GR. SFIRE 24.0-27.0grain
55 GR. SPR SP 25.5-27.5grain

Modern 'Reloading second edition
55 grain jacketed bullet 25.5-27.5grains


Any thoughts?
 
Modern Reloading can be disregarded - it is not original research, simply copied from other publishers. The Lyman and Hodgdon data reflect their testing results - every single published reloading reference tells you to start at beginning (starting) load and work up until you encounter pressure signs in your firearm. Your results will likely be different from theirs. Note that information that you give above is not complete - which primer used? Which brass used? what COAL (or seating depth) used?
 
My only issue is the wide range of max loads from the different sources.


Im running these rounds into an AR running at a 2.260 OAL.
dominion primers
mixed brass

Thinking I may start at 24.5, 25 and 25.5 and see how they shoot and group.
 
The variance is normal. A max load in a manual may be too much for some guns. Hence why older manuals often have higher maxes. Also data is better now because of better pressure testing. It's the same as trying to explain to someone exactly how to please their partner(s). There are sound principles but many variables. YMMV. Those who need to be told exactly what to do to be comfortable find reloading challenging.
 
Makes sense when diff companies test they get diff results when same company (Hodgdon) gets diff results from different bullets.

When I want max I'd start mid way and work up.
jon1985 said:
...
Hodgdon
55 GR. BAR TSX FB 23.4-26.0grain
55 GR. SFIRE 24.0-27.0grain
55 GR. SPR SP 25.5-27.5grain
...
Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
 
Are the Campro bullets not plated? If they are plated, powder charges will have to stay a little on the lower side. Plated bullets can't withstand higher pressures like a true jacketed bullet can.
 
Shooter ----/ said:
Are the Campro bullets not plated? If they are plated, powder charges will have to stay a little on the lower side. Plated bullets can't withstand higher pressures like a true jacketed bullet can.
Click to expand...

Campro have a thicker plating then most others. They have data online and was posted on the forum before. Their data is the same as normal jacketed data.
 
Campro 223 are NOT platted www.cam-pro.ca/en/products/bullets/223/223-55-bt-fmj


jon1985 said:
My only issue is the wide range of max loads from the different sources.
...
Thinking I may start at 24.5, 25 and 25.5 and see how they shoot and group.
Click to expand...

Put some 26.0 and 26.5 together as well. If you see pressure sings stop and bring the rest of the higher ones home and pull them.
 
Last edited:
if you see lead at the bottom of your campro's they are FMJ and not plated, i just bought 500 and they are FMJ.
 
jon1985 said:
My only issue is the wide range of max loads from the different sources.


Im running these rounds into an AR running at a 2.260 OAL.
dominion primers
mixed brass

Thinking I may start at 24.5, 25 and 25.5 and see how they shoot and group.
Click to expand...

The max varied because each was developed in a different rifle. Your rifle is yet another different rifle. Your max might be 23 or 26. Start low and find out.
 
Yes, lead is visible on the bottom of the bullet.

Starting low and working up is what I have planned. Low of 23g high of 26.8. We will see how it goes, have a chrono and will watch the cases for stress. Hopefully the rain stops. Shooting position is covered, but 10' away where the chrono goes isnt.
 
This^^^. If you are loading plinker shells mixed brass can work OK if you are careful to keep the loads on the milder side. As has been mentioned some loads that are safe in one brand of brass may be too hot in another brand. I always sort my brass by headstamp and work up a load for a specific brand of brass.
 
thepolinator said:
Be a little cautious using mixed brass, as a safe max with one headstamp will be way over pressure with another.
Click to expand...

8 ball said:
This^^^. If you are loading plinker shells mixed brass can work OK if you are careful to keep the loads on the milder side. As has been mentioned some loads that are safe in one brand of brass may be too hot in another brand. I always sort my brass by headstamp and work up a load for a specific brand of brass.
Click to expand...

I have experienced this too.
 
Those who need to be told exactly what to do to be comfortable find reloading challenging.[/QUOTE]

And they will never be true hand loaders, but simply robots, well trained to follow instructions.
 
I have the utmost respect for you two. I have read your posts carfully since there is always valuable information in them, and I appreciate it. But these comments are pretty harsh. Everyone has to start somewhere.
 
Purple shoulder said:
But these comments are pretty harsh. Everyone has to start somewhere.
Click to expand...

Yes they do but after a while it is okay to figure things out on your own. I have loaded ammo with no data as well it isn't hard. There are burn rate charts to look at and see. If you are safe about it the possibilities are endless. Heck some members even use lvr powder in 243. There isn't data for it.
 
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