Hornady load data-223 55Grain Bullet?

First Hornady's data is in a bolt action rifle with a longer barrel. However I fault Hornady for not testing the most popular AR 15 bullet in the most popular .223 rifle, the AR 15, and using this SAME data in their newest manual as this data for H335 has just been copied for years in manuals 10,9,8,7, and maybe older manuals? Plus that load maximum seems to be anemic even in a bolt action rifle. I don't believe 23.2 grains in a bolt rifle will even show 3100 fps. I like Hornady bullets and other data for other bullets in .223 and other calibers seems to be realistic. Just not their data for 55 FMJ's or Spire Points using H335 powder. This is one example of the need to compare other sources such as the powder company data. Hodgdon is more accurate but still you should work up to Hodgdon's maximum. Again, Hornady for some reason has just been copying and pasting the same load for H335 and 55 grain bullets for many years and several manuals.

The Lymans 49th Edition lists 55 gr jacketed with a starting load of 24.3 gr and max of 27 gr so I think you are fine at the load you have found. Unless you are seeing signs of pressure I would continue on.

Different test platform than what your shooting. It's all about the details. What they print is what they found in there test. Not your gun. All depends on who book you use as to what your max may be. Your fine and good probably go up some if needed. But I always pick the most accurate node.

I'm also suspicious of Lyman's data for 55 grain jacketed bullets with H335 powder. I believe that Lyman's maximum of 27 grains is possibly much too high. In this case trust Hodgdon's data.

Manuals are just guidelines and you have to do your own testing to find out what makes sense in your firearm.

THR not responsible - use (anything in this thread) at your own risk, etc.

Most, but not all, AR 15's are 5.56
5.56 runs a higher pressure than 223, (55,000 psi vs 60,000 psi)

While Hornady 9 does have a 5.56 section, it does not list any H335 loads,,,,
My Nosler 8 Manual has both a 223 and 5.56 section, and the 5.56 section does have some H335 loads, but, no projectiles under 69 gr.

Where one goes from here is up to the individual and what they hope to achieve.

I'm more concerned w/accuracy than FPS, but, we all have our preferences.

Sierra goes to a max of 25.7gr H335 with 55gr bullets in their service rifle data using a Colt AR-15 and a Rem 7 1/2 primer and Federal case.

What factory round are you comparing your 24.5gr of H-335 loads ?

When I think factory AR loads I think NATO rounds . That’s 3100+fps from a 16” barrel . My test showed 26gr+ of H-335 got me there , 25gr got me right at 3000fps . My results seem to say 24.5gr will not get you anywhere near factory velocities . Hornady’s manual for the 223 Remington using H335 with the 55 grain projectile shows 23.1gr at a velocity of 3100 ft./s but that is with a barrel 10 inches longer than the standard A.R.

But wait there’s more my Hornady Reloading app shows 23.5 g of H335 gives you 2600 ft./s and that’s with the 14 inch barrel . I would say that’s more accurate to real world results . So At 24.5 grains my guess would be you should be somewhere around 2700 ft./s . Maybe 2800 but you shouldn’t be any more than that with a 16 inch barrel . 20 inch barrel you might be getting close to 2900 but you should be nowhere near 3100 ft./s with an AR using 24.5 grains of H-335

I rarely get close to the velocities with the Hornady load data.

My Hornady manual has
223 Remington service rifle
5.56 mm NATO
223 Remington data .

The 223 Remington data was tested using a rifle with a 26 inch barrel . That is why they are getting 3100 feet a second , if they were using a 16 inch A.R. barrel they wouldn’t be anywhere near that . If you’re getting 3100fps using 24.5 grains of H-335 out of a 16 inch barrel there’s something wrong .

I’m looking at my data from 2015

Del-Ton Echo 316 16” heavy barrel
Winchester 55 grain FMJ-BT
H-335 powder
CCI #400 primers
COAL. 2.240
LC brass / no crimp
5 shot average

24gr avg 2803fps
24.5gr avg 2872fps
25gr avg 2936fps
25.5gr avg 3006fps
26gr avg 3120fps

Same specs as above but using magnum primers

23gr avg 2692fps
23.5gr avg 2776fps
24gr avg 2781fps
24.5gr avg 2875fps
25gr avg 2891fps
25.5gr avg 2988fps
26gr avg 3036fps

It was theorized that the magnum primers dislodge the bullet before the powder can really start to build pressure resulting in these lower averages as well as terrible ES/SD with the magnum primers . Crimping the load with magnum primers may result in more consistent ignition . I have not ran another test since which this now makes me want to do LOL

This is why you use multiple sources - check them against each other. I typically find my Hornady manual the most conservative. Depends, sometimes Lyman is, but I've come across a few MAX LOADS in Hornady that are at or under starting in other references.

My load for 55gr is 24.3 gr H335 with SRM primer. I get right @ 2800fps from a 16" AR which is a bit less than most factory, esp 5.56 NATO. No big deal, it's a great shooting load for me & with a 250 yard zero it has very good trajectory out to 300 yds. 1-3" high most everywhere, about 4" low at 300 yds. But this load & that zero, I don't have to think. As long as target is 8" or greater, just aim & shoot

I use 24gr. of H335 for that bullet in my Saiga .223 and have no issues. Primers look good, accuracy is good (for an AK). Have fun.

Hornady is notorious for their light load data. As long as you aren't seeing any pressure indicators , I wouldn't concern myself. When in Doubt, chrono