Not sure if this should be in the handloading section, or if anyone cares for that matter, but here it goes.
I have been working on a load for the CSA in 5.56/.223 and with the 1 in 7" twist, I have been trying the heavier slugs. My trip to the range today answered a few questions.
My CSA is outfitted with a Vortex SPARC on the excellent NEA rail, so accuracy wasn't going to be exactly precision, but the exercise was to just see if there was a clear winner. Loads tried were 69 grain PRVI BTHP, 60 grain Hornady soft points and 55 grain Hornady FMJ's. All groups were five round groups. OAL was all proper magazine length.
Please work up to my loads in your gun if you choose to try them. Reduce 10-12% to start.
Range was about 80 meters. First up was the ball ammo. I wanted to use it as a baseline. My "ball" load is a Hornady 55 fmj over 25.1 grains of WC735. This load printed a nice cluster just above the bull in about a 2" group. Plenty accurate for a red dot and I could have probably just left it at that. Good for 3100 fps too. No pressure signs at all.
The second load tested was the one I was holding out the most hope for as it has been deadly in any .223 I have tried it. The 69 grain load was 23.8 grains of WC735 and the aforementioned PRVI bullet. It shot about 2.5" higher than the previous group and about 4" grouping. Almost 2900 fps across the chrony. No pressure signs.
Third up was the 60 grain Hornady softpoint. Stoked by 24.2 grains of WC735, it crossed the chrony at just over 3000 fps. Grouping put the others to shame with three rounds easily hidden by a quarter and the other two only a hair outside the other three. This one would be great for coyotes out as far as one would dare to shoot with a 2MOA red dot. The real interesting thing is that they virtually printed to the same point as the 55 grainers - to the point that a person could interchange them without adjusting zero. No pressure signs at all, in fact I may warm this one up a little more and see what happens.
Your mileage may vary, but if you are working on that elusive load for your new CSA and want something that performs and is still economical, these may fit the bill.
BTW, cases were various and the primers were WSR. Bullets were lightly crimped with a Lee crimping die.
I have been working on a load for the CSA in 5.56/.223 and with the 1 in 7" twist, I have been trying the heavier slugs. My trip to the range today answered a few questions.
My CSA is outfitted with a Vortex SPARC on the excellent NEA rail, so accuracy wasn't going to be exactly precision, but the exercise was to just see if there was a clear winner. Loads tried were 69 grain PRVI BTHP, 60 grain Hornady soft points and 55 grain Hornady FMJ's. All groups were five round groups. OAL was all proper magazine length.
Please work up to my loads in your gun if you choose to try them. Reduce 10-12% to start.
Range was about 80 meters. First up was the ball ammo. I wanted to use it as a baseline. My "ball" load is a Hornady 55 fmj over 25.1 grains of WC735. This load printed a nice cluster just above the bull in about a 2" group. Plenty accurate for a red dot and I could have probably just left it at that. Good for 3100 fps too. No pressure signs at all.
The second load tested was the one I was holding out the most hope for as it has been deadly in any .223 I have tried it. The 69 grain load was 23.8 grains of WC735 and the aforementioned PRVI bullet. It shot about 2.5" higher than the previous group and about 4" grouping. Almost 2900 fps across the chrony. No pressure signs.
Third up was the 60 grain Hornady softpoint. Stoked by 24.2 grains of WC735, it crossed the chrony at just over 3000 fps. Grouping put the others to shame with three rounds easily hidden by a quarter and the other two only a hair outside the other three. This one would be great for coyotes out as far as one would dare to shoot with a 2MOA red dot. The real interesting thing is that they virtually printed to the same point as the 55 grainers - to the point that a person could interchange them without adjusting zero. No pressure signs at all, in fact I may warm this one up a little more and see what happens.
Your mileage may vary, but if you are working on that elusive load for your new CSA and want something that performs and is still economical, these may fit the bill.
BTW, cases were various and the primers were WSR. Bullets were lightly crimped with a Lee crimping die.
