trying to get some data for 55gn hornady FMJBT, all my load manuals have are 55gn FMJ or BTHP (with chrages out more than a gn in some cases), and on the Hodgdson data centre there is quite the error for those tips, and quite a spread for this bullet weight. I'm looking at using IMR 3031(because i already use that for .45/70) or BL-C2, and possibly Varget (because i use that for .308 Win) has anybody got some wisdom/advise for my here? does the boat tail make a big difference for powder charge, or would just using the data for FMJ work fine? any recipies you guys use would also be appreciated.
.223 rem question...
- Thread starter rayisametalkid
- Start date
What gun? 3031 is awesome in 223 for a 55g load. I wouldn't use anything slower unless I had a specific reason too.
Varget is a waste cause that bullet won't group, I've tried. BL-C2 is great if your running an AR action and need extra cahonas to drive a 20" rifle, or a Piston SBR.
3031 will cycle any typical DI AR Carbine all day long and you save money by needing to use less powder.
Buy yeah, I've burned tonnes of 3031 behind 55g FMJ bullets. It's a great combo.
Any FMJ data should work fine for that bullet. Most FMJ's are BT's. Remington FMJ's are the only ones I've met that are not BT's.
If I recall correctly, that particular bullet seated 2.2"oal with a cannalure crimp. I was running it behind 24g of 3031, BUT, IMPORTANT, that was a HOT load for a 5.56 chamber in an AR. That's pretty close to max so don't load that up willy nilly for your 223.
When referencing your load manuals, pay close attention to the COAL/OAL they list. Look for data with a bullet of the same weight that seats 2.2" and you'll be fine.
You'll notice that a BTHP will probably seat longer, like 2.25, this makes quite the difference in the max, and a 2.2" FMJBT will generate higher pressures.
The Boat tale is not going to make that big a difference. It will be slightly longer, so seating slightly deep in the case, causing slightly higher pressures.
As mentioned, it's the OAL that you have to watch out for, that's the piece of the data that will make a BIG difference.
Varget is a waste cause that bullet won't group, I've tried. BL-C2 is great if your running an AR action and need extra cahonas to drive a 20" rifle, or a Piston SBR.
3031 will cycle any typical DI AR Carbine all day long and you save money by needing to use less powder.
Buy yeah, I've burned tonnes of 3031 behind 55g FMJ bullets. It's a great combo.
Any FMJ data should work fine for that bullet. Most FMJ's are BT's. Remington FMJ's are the only ones I've met that are not BT's.
If I recall correctly, that particular bullet seated 2.2"oal with a cannalure crimp. I was running it behind 24g of 3031, BUT, IMPORTANT, that was a HOT load for a 5.56 chamber in an AR. That's pretty close to max so don't load that up willy nilly for your 223.
When referencing your load manuals, pay close attention to the COAL/OAL they list. Look for data with a bullet of the same weight that seats 2.2" and you'll be fine.
You'll notice that a BTHP will probably seat longer, like 2.25, this makes quite the difference in the max, and a 2.2" FMJBT will generate higher pressures.
The Boat tale is not going to make that big a difference. It will be slightly longer, so seating slightly deep in the case, causing slightly higher pressures.
As mentioned, it's the OAL that you have to watch out for, that's the piece of the data that will make a BIG difference.
Oh yeah, 3031 will run that awesome. BL-C2 and Varget will cause more aggressive cycling.
For an AR, if it's a 5.56 chamber, find a setting on whatever powder dropper your using that will drop a charge the most consistent between 23 to 24 grains.
The exact charge you're going for is not important as you're not loading for accuracy, just "price is right rules" up to 24g.
If you're ever looking for another powder to try, and want to trim off a bit more bottom line. About 20g of IMR4198 will also work awesome for that application.
For an AR, if it's a 5.56 chamber, find a setting on whatever powder dropper your using that will drop a charge the most consistent between 23 to 24 grains.
The exact charge you're going for is not important as you're not loading for accuracy, just "price is right rules" up to 24g.
If you're ever looking for another powder to try, and want to trim off a bit more bottom line. About 20g of IMR4198 will also work awesome for that application.
Have you got a min/max weight for imr 4198?
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- big sky country
Tough to beat H335 with a 55 gr bullet in 223.
rayisametalkid
If you start at the suggested starting load and work up you will not have any problems.
If you start at the suggested starting load and work up you will learn more about reading a fired primer and pressure signs.
As you can see at the link below for Sierra loading of the AR 15 service rifle boat tail and flat base loads of 55 grain bullets are grouped together.
I load the 55 grain Hornady FMJBT with two different loads, one load is 26.5 grains of 748 or a max load listed here and 24.7 grains of H335 which is a mild practice load and easy on brass.
NOTE: 26.5 grains of 748 is also listed as max at the Hodgdons website "BUT" the military loading is actually hotter.
Duplicating NATO cartridges (cloning)
http://www.223reloads.com/home/223-5-56-info/223-5-56-reloading/duplicatingnato
223 Remington (AR-15 Sierra load data)
http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf
Always remember loading data is "ball park" information and as an example your Norinco AR is not the same rifle used for the load testing done above. Also civilian commercial .223 brass is not made to military .5.56 standards and it is better to load lighter or to a lower chamber pressure for any practice and be able to use your brass "LONGER".
If you start at the suggested starting load and work up you will not have any problems.
If you start at the suggested starting load and work up you will learn more about reading a fired primer and pressure signs.
As you can see at the link below for Sierra loading of the AR 15 service rifle boat tail and flat base loads of 55 grain bullets are grouped together.
I load the 55 grain Hornady FMJBT with two different loads, one load is 26.5 grains of 748 or a max load listed here and 24.7 grains of H335 which is a mild practice load and easy on brass.
NOTE: 26.5 grains of 748 is also listed as max at the Hodgdons website "BUT" the military loading is actually hotter.
Duplicating NATO cartridges (cloning)
http://www.223reloads.com/home/223-5-56-info/223-5-56-reloading/duplicatingnato
223 Remington (AR-15 Sierra load data)
http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf
Always remember loading data is "ball park" information and as an example your Norinco AR is not the same rifle used for the load testing done above. Also civilian commercial .223 brass is not made to military .5.56 standards and it is better to load lighter or to a lower chamber pressure for any practice and be able to use your brass "LONGER".
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I"m still looking for some blue dot, but henry at budget shooter's supply told me taht a load that works great for him in 13.5 grains of bluedot over a 55 grain jacketed bullet. Says that his barrel doesn't heat up, and it's accurate to minute of gopher at 200 yards...
Waiting to order some powder until I see some recipes, I was going to order some of the z-max 55 grain bullets so if anyone has a load for those bullets that would be awesome and greatly appreciated.
23.5 gr of 3031 with federal primer and brass worked pretty good for me with a 55gr fmj/bt
i know that varget isn't affected much between 35 and -30 degrees from my .308 if you can get your hands on it, i've since witched to benchmark because of availability.
I run IMR3031 22grain with Hornady 55gr FMJBT. 1/2 MOA at 200 yards out of my Marlin XS7. OAL i dont have handy right now.
A bit on the low side power wise but works good and shot the best when i did my ladder testing.
A bit on the low side power wise but works good and shot the best when i did my ladder testing.
I use 21.6gr of 3031 under a 55gr bullet (have tried several bullet types) seated at 2.200" fairly regularly in my norc 14.5 no issues works really well. (this is the start load that comes printed on the LEE data sheet with .223 dies, cycles just fine didn't feel the need to work up)
I switched to 748 cause it meters really well in my lyman 55 but I may switch back, the 3031 is cheaper per pound, and you use less per charge.
I use 24.5gr of 748 if you were wondering, I don't waste varget in my AR15 anymore.
I switched to 748 cause it meters really well in my lyman 55 but I may switch back, the 3031 is cheaper per pound, and you use less per charge.
I use 24.5gr of 748 if you were wondering, I don't waste varget in my AR15 anymore.
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