.223 compressed load? IMR 4064

[SARuger]

I'm working up a ladder load for my .223 bolt gun using IMR4064 and Sierra 69g HPBT Matchking's

Sierra says 21.8-25.7 as a range and a OAL of 2.26

I worked the load starting at 22.0-25.0 in .5g increments.

When I get to the 24.0g loads the case is almost full! I stopped at 24.5g

Here is a pic of 24g of IMR 4064.

Should I be worried?

Also, I'm not crimping, I can't push the bullet into the case so I'm not bothering.

 

[Reloadron]

Working from the Sierra 50th Anniversary Edition I can't find a 60 grain match king bullet? There is a standard 60 grain HP and the load data for IMR 4064 ranges from 22.4 to 24.8 grains. The OAL suggested is 2.250".

Also looking at the Sierra lineup of Match King Bullets I do not see a 60 grain match king in the family.

Where are you getting this data from and what is the Sierra Number for the 6o grain bullet you have? If you have #1375 they are a varmint hunting bullet. .22 CALIBER (.224) HIGH VELOCITY 60 GR. HP. If this is the bullet you have where are you getting those numbers for load data?

Ron

 

[jwrowland77]

Looks like Hodgdon data shows you can used a compressed load.

I actually prefer slightly compressed loads.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[SARuger]

Sorry guys, typo. 69g HPBT MK

 

[Metal God]

Looks to me you need to poor the powder in slower or use a drop tube . . I have a 25gr IMR 4064 load using the 69gr SMK that works just fine . It's compressed but I don't remember 25gr even filling my case that much .

4064 has some pretty long sticks and they can bridge in the case actually leaving open space in the case . Take a 24gr case and cover the mouth with a finger and lightly tap the edge of the head on the bench about 10 or 15 times real quick . You will see that the powder will have settled some leaving more room for the bullet .

If you use a drop tube of at least 6" or poor slower into the case . That will reduce the bridging of the sticks in the case leaving you more room for the bullet .

FWIW . that 25gr load using the 69gr smk , I can hear the powder crunch a little when I seat the bullet . Compressed loads are safe but you don't won't them so compressed that seating the bullet bulges the case or the compression actually pushes the bullet back out a little .

This is the drop tube I use when needed I get an extra grain or so using it .
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/293879/forster-blue-ribbon-powder-funnel-with-long-drop-tube

EDIT

I just realized who the OP is . If you are using your Lee auto drum to drop your charge . That's the reason your filling the case so much . The powder is being dumped in the case to quickly .

oh and those look like some working mans fingers . I'd say concrete or other masonry work ? maybe landscaping , could be drywalling ??

 

[SARuger]

Thanks MG! I tried that and it worked! I tapped the case on the table and the sticks dropped to the neck

I'm a diesel mechanic.

 

[Reloadron]

Sorry guys, typo. 69g HPBT MK

Now it makes sense. The 69 grain Sierra Match King shows an OAL of 2.260 as you mentioned and the Sierra 50th Anniversary manual calls out 23.0 to 24.2 grains of IMR 4064 and I doubt exceeding that by a little will hurt anything. I agree with Metal God as to charging the cases. When I get into situations like this I use a 4" or 6" drop tube on an RCBS Uniflow powder measure. Without using an extended drop tube tapping the case will get the powder to settle.



Glad tapping the case worked for you. The idea is to get the powder to settle and tapping the case heel on a table top is a good way to go.

Ron

 

[Hardtarget]

If the "tap to settle" hadn't worked I would have suggested to re check your scale settings. Re-calibrate. Just to be sure. You wouldn't be the first to find the scale is not where you wanted . Just to take that possible glitch of the table.

I'm glad you found the fix.
Mark

 

[conrad427]

Glad it worked. Let us know how it shoots.

Im a diesel mechanic too. Its funny how a person works with their hands all day, then wants to go home and........work some more with their hands!

 

[conrad427]

Geeze Ron, those are some nice looking drop tubes. Where did you get them?

 

[Reloadron]

Geeze Ron, those are some nice looking drop tubes. Where did you get them?

Brownells or Sinclair and maybe about 20 years ago. They should still have them. I used them with compressed loads on 6PPC.

Ron

 

[SARuger]

Im a diesel mechanic too. Its funny how a person works with their hands all day, then wants to go home and........work some more with their hands!

I'm 100% a "do it yourself" kind of guy. I refuse to pay anyone for anything I can do myself. I grew up on a farm and thats how we did things. The profit margins were to tight to hire out work of any kind.

I can do HVAC, electrical, plumbing, welding, framing, concrete and block/rock. If my transmission blows in my Jeep, I fix it myself, The Powerstroke needs a repair, I'm on it! Right now my Jetta is in my home garage from being side swiped while sitting in front of my house on my street. Insurance totaled it, I bought it back for $200. Since there was no structural damage, I'm rebuilding it myself for less than $500. Insurance paid me $3000. They only totaled it because it was "an older car". Yep, an older 98 Jetta with only 70k "well cared for miles" on the odometer. I'm not giving the junkyard that one!

It amazes me how much people pay other people to do things for them. I just can't do that. I had to get my driveway repaved last month. It damn near killed me to write that check. If I could have rented the equipment, i would have done that myself too.

So reloading just fits for me, 100% DIY!