SL8 Reloading

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hend238

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Does anyone have any data regarding what the slowest powder is that can be used to reload for the SL8? I'm talking about port pressure here and to ensure it's not exceeded. My searches have yielded nothing. Perhaps the same cautions that apply to the AR15 can apply to the SL8? Thanks.
 
That's not the info I'm looking for. I won't be shooting factory ammo, whether 223 or 556. I'm talking about reloading cartridges, not the rifle. Thanks though. :)
 
i haven't found anything that i can't shoot for loads on out of my sl8.. i tend to use the lowest powder for the target, but use 60gn and you'll see what your sl8 can do.
 
The thing with port pressure is, if the wrong powder is used (too slow) you can get into some dangerous conditions and not even know it. There will be no signs of excessive chamber pressure yet port pressure can be through the roof. Perhaps I'm overthinking this but I'm accustom to reloading for the M1A and port pressure is an important consideration. A slow powder for a 223 bolt action may be too slow for a semi auto - damaging your rifle.
 
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I use data from hornady reloading manuals. They gave specific data for service rifle and 5.56. Service rifle is semi. I use 8208 xbr with 69gr smk. Hornady data is usually conservative so double check with powder manufacturers data. Go by bullet weight if not using their bullets. I've used varget as well, have some cfe 223 to experiment with next.

Use bullets 60gr or heavier for best results, I've had no luck with lighter.
 
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Two of my SL8's and two SL8's owned by friends of mine have all liked Nosler 60gr Varmageddon over CFE 223 (MOA or better from all of them)
Since CFE223 was designed for use in 5.56 semi auto's you should be fine with your port pressure concerns.
 
cr5 said:
Two of my SL8's and two SL8's owned by friends of mine have all liked Nosler 60gr Varmageddon over CFE 223 (MOA or better from all of them)
Since CFE223 was designed for use in 5.56 semi auto's you should be fine with your port pressure concerns.
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Thank you. That's the kind of answer I'm looking for.
 
I had really good loads using HDY 52g bthp match with IMR 4320. Don't have the power load here with me, but can post when I can.
 
With the 1/7 twist I could not shoot the 55's worth beans ..... jump to the 62's and heavier ...... well holy Hanna we are talking like .. 12 mm to about 15..17 mm groups ..... I nearly filled my pants when I went down range to look at the targets!!!!
H4895...imr 4895....... win 748 ya it liked the win 748 I'd have to go back and look at my notes but those powders I do remember
The hornady 68 and 75 grain loaded ammo is scarry accuracy in mine
The 1/7 twist will fa or the 62's to the 80 or 90 grain bullets
Remember this it is the g36 in civi form .... was developed for the 62 ap or green tip the 77 sierras .... what ever the army calls there ammo mark ii 77 blab blab
And it's the best of German engineering what a joy to shoot ... that's what my girlfriend says
 
hogie said:
I use data from hornady reloading manuals. They gave specific data for service rifle and 5.56. Service rifle is semi. I use 8208 xbr with 69gr smk. Hornady data is usually conservative so double check with powder manufacturers data. Go by bullet weight if not using their bullets. I've used varget as well, have some cfe 223 to experiment with next.

Use bullets 60gr or heavier for best results, I've had no luck with lighter.
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cr5 said:
Two of my SL8's and two SL8's owned by friends of mine have all liked Nosler 60gr Varmageddon over CFE 223 (MOA or better from all of them)
Since CFE223 was designed for use in 5.56 semi auto's you should be fine with your port pressure concerns.
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These two guys helped me out big when I was working out loads for my SL8. I had great luck with SMK 69gr and 60gr Nosler Varmageddon and Varminters. I had lots of AA2230 powder on hand so I used that but CFE223 and Varget have good reports.

In the end I was usually shooting 1 to 1.25 MOA. Was quite happy. I miss that rifle every time I hit the range but my back doesn't.

Moe
 
Thanks everyone for your input. I look forward to start reloading. I have plenty of projectiles 60g and up in both the varmint and target variety to get me started. Semi auto reloading of this design is new to me but I'm not a stranger to reloading in general. Been loading my own for 22 years for every firearm type except shotgun.

I've read that Varget and RL15 are popular with the AR crowd in my search to answer my port pressure question. Can anyone here comment based on personal experience? It seems kinda slow for a gas gun but must work well otherwise so many wouldn't recommend it. It surprises me there is no info out there on the world wide web regarding port pressure and the AR15. Do a google search on the same topic for the M1A and there are countless warnings about which powder is the absolute slowest you should eve use.
 
I think that there isn't much about port pressure because they operate differently. M1 M1A use op rods, need to be careful with bullet weight and powders. Sl8 AR other semis not as important. Hornaday, Sierra both have reloading info specific to service rifle and semis.

I have used varget in my sl8 but found 8208 worked well and metered better on 550b press.
 
This is a good read for this type of reloading.
It's a link to a PDF from Sierra.

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sour...ggdMAA&usg=AFQjCNGWiIBlRtFrfuB7JZr9D6BQcsBiRw

This article has some published data with various powders and bullet weights that were tested in an AR.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammo/ammunition_st223_120606/

I think as long as you don't use a fast powder with heavy bullets or slow with light you should be fine, I always refer to service rifle data if it's available or compare the listed powders in my manual for a bullet weight to my burn rate charts and pick something middle to slower (and also for powders I currently have at home) for my initial testing.
 
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hend238 said:
Does anyone have any data regarding what the slowest powder is that can be used to reload for the SL8? I'm talking about port pressure here and to ensure it's not exceeded. My searches have yielded nothing. Perhaps the same cautions that apply to the AR15 can apply to the SL8? Thanks.
Click to expand...

Issues Port pressure ( actually more importantly dwell time ) on DI gun are not present in G36 / SL-8 SELF REGULATING short stroke piston system

Very little of propellant gas is used to cycle , rest vented off . This is a good read explaining this with pictures

http://w .hkpro.com/forum/teufelshund-tactical/208680-notes-g36-armorer-course.html

My SL-8 cycles verything I feed it from whimpy Wolf stuff to my MK262 clone load, and all my other reloads


To answer your question regarding load / powder choices

Burn Rate

To answer your question regarding burn rate, you would generally stay faster than BL-C(2)

Having said that, its not because of pressure in gas system for two reason

1. See above regarding SL-8 gas system

2. Due to the very limited case capacity of 223 / 556 case , especially with the heavies , you often can't actually get enough powder in the case to get the pressure you high enough

For example, lots of old load data shows Hodgdon H380 , which is on the very slow side for 223 . The pressures and velocity are not that impressive ...up to 300 fps slower !

IF you look at current Hodgdon data doesnt even recommend H380


Plinker : I load this on progressive so I have used ( from 50gr to 62Gr projectiles ) use from H335 , BL-C(2 ) , CFE 223 , Ramshot Tac

I have used more BL-C(2) than all others ...having said that I have been very happy with the new CFE-223

All these powders meter great in powder drop since spherical

Varmint / Target : I have only used Varget . I have never found a reason to change and has great results with all bullet weights

Only issue with Varget is when loading the heavies ( 69gr ) or even the lighter longer polymer tip varmint bullets it can be compressed charge

Nothing wrong with being compressed ( within reason ) but keep in mind some seating dies don't like that ( Redding competition ) and often put ring on bullet

Drop tube style funnel helps

Also if you are not using bushing dies , make sure your brass / sizing die is getting good neck tension

Please note that I am not saying Varget is more accurate compared to CFE223 etc , its just if I am loading target loads / varmint I am generally weighing each charge, so I would't load on progressive anyways

Since I'm not loading on progressive being extruded stick vs spherical makes no difference to me

I just haven't bothered to try the CFE etc with these target loads yet
 
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I've had good luck with 24 GN of H335 with Nosler Ballistic tips in 55 GN, and was shooting dime sized groups at 100 with Hornady 75 GN on 24 GN of Varget.
 
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