223 & a 16.5" barrel?

[shakeyjake]

So I bought some 70g Barns TSX for my Ruger American Ranch with the 16.5" tube & 1-8 twist. It hated PMC Bronze 55g rounds (2-3) inch groups at 100 yards. Then I shot 5 rounds of PMC Green Tips weighing 62g and the group was down to 1.25". Anyways I was wondering how much I could load up the case before I start wasting powder that's not burnt by the time the projectile leaves the short barrel? I plan on using Varget.

 

[bigedp51]

Use AR15 load data, I have a AR15 carbine with a 16 1/2 inch barrel 1 in 7 twist, a AR15 A2 HBAR with a 20 inch barrel 1 in 9 twist and a Savage bolt action .223 with a 26 inch barrel 1 in 9 twist.

223 Remington/5.56 NATO, velocity versus barrel length
http://rifleshooter.com/2014/04/223-remington5-56-nato-velocity-versus-barrel-length-a-man-his-chop-box-and-his-friends-rifle/#prettyPhoto

Handloading The .223 Remington For The AR15
http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammo/ammunition_st223_120606/

Reloading the .223
http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-education/reloading-beginners/reloading-223

 

[Ganderite]

I would load 23 to 25 in 0.5 gr increments, 10 of each, and test for groups. Pick whatever load shoots best. Barrel length is not an issue, except for lower velocity.

 

[supernova]

Don't worry, your short barrel isn't going to cough out a puff of unburnt powder. Use regular load data and work up. Your velocity will be quite a bit lower than book velocity unless they list velocity for sub 18" bbls. You're going to see a velocity increase all the way up for the most part unless you start hitting serious pressure, just like with a long barrel but at a lower velocity.

 

[shakeyjake]

Thanks for the info, the press is ready to run!