27.5gn CFE 223 Under 55 LC FMJBT. Pressure Signs?

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GunfighterAlpha

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Hey guys,

I've worked up a load to 27.5gn of CFE 223 under a 55gn LC FMJBT seated to 2.255. According to the data I can find, this should be a safe load. However, I either going crazy, or my primers look a little flat. I'm using CCI #400 in mixed headstamps. Rounds are being fired out of a 20" Colt Comp HBAR. Am I nuts? Or could this load possibly be producing too much pressure. I'll grab some pics of the primers ASAP.

Also, I've resized some of the brass that was used. It doesn't appear to be over stretched and a new primer seats snug. I'd rather be OCD with this load than lose part of my face. Any comments are appreciated.
 
If you are questioning that you are crazy, then they are probably not flat enough to be an over pressure sign.
A little flatness can be normal, but it does mean you load is getting hot.

You're probably also FL sizing. When you fire the round, the primers can get pushed out, then as the brass stretches it slams the head back against the bolt, pushing the primers back in, and sometimes flattening them out a bit.

Meanwhile, I've been pushing 75g pills with 26.5g of CFE223 with no red flags, so one grain more for a 55 should be fine.
Hottest I've loaded 55g with that powder is 26.9g @ 2.2". Chrony'd at 2850fps thru a 16.5" bbl.
 
GunfighterAlpha said:
Also, I've resized some of the brass that was used. It doesn't appear to be over stretched and a new primer seats snug. I'd rather be OCD with this load than lose part of my face. Any comments are appreciated.
Click to expand...

You would rather be OCD but you are shooting mixed headstamp brass? Throw some of these on your scale and see what the weight difference is.
 
Most primers flatten out a little, if you see that the primer actually looks to be flowingout of the pocket, then it's time to worry
 
I gone up to 30.5 grs ( full case) with 40gr bullets in several 223's. My TC Contender is easy to open with this load, and it's the first gun to show pressure via sticky extraction. The published data is conserative.
 
That is why you start below max and work up to your rifles max or the powder manufactures recomended max. There are no promises that every rifle can use the maximum load listed. As others have stated a bit of flattening may not indicate a max load either, it`s a judgment call on primer condition. I compare to some factory loads as well as 40+ years of loading experience, try some other primers as well and use 1 make of case, it`s tough enough working up safe loads without mixed brass.
 
I loaded up some .223 rounds today for the Kimber Montana today using CFE 223 and 55gr Sierra Game Kings, the accuracy node was at 28.5 grs. 29 grs showed no pressure, but the groups opened up.
 
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