223 Hornady 55gr FMJ BT Load Ok?

[Mr.Revolverguy]

All,

I am thinking about using 23.5 grains of H335 for this load.
55gr Hornady Boat Tail.

But for some reason Hodgdon does not have a load in their latest manual or on their website for this bullet with H335.

The Hodgdon Magazine says 23.0 to 25.3 of H335 is good for 55grFMJ SP, these are not SP.

What worries me is Hornady only shows pistol powders, tightgroup and clays for this EXACT bullet. Could this be a misprint or the great deal I got on these bullets weren't so great? I usually use 60grvmax from hornady but I got the 55gr FMJ BT for 31 bucks for 500.

 

[rcmodel]

Hornady #6 manual shows H335, with any 55 grain bullet they make:
20.8 Starting load.
23.2 MAX load.

 

[Jim Watson]

I would not worry about using a sub-maximum load for a different style bullet of the same weight. That is what the fine print about "starting loads" and "working up" is meant to cover. You cannot expect them to have tested every possible combination for the purpose of spoon feeding you a "recipe."

What worries me is Hornady only shows pistol powders, tightgroup and clays for this EXACT bullet.

That is just weird. The only purpose for that I know of is subsonic loads hardly more powerful than a .22 lr. Seems like they would show standard loads for a bullet similar to GI M193.

 

[RugerOldArmy]

You should work up a load for your rifle. You want a load that shoots well, so my advice is to make a few ten-round batches, and see what shoots. Don't make a big batch, based on a hunch, and only later find a load that shoots better.

23-ish Gr of H335 is a sensible place to start. It is good to see you're not looking to 'replicate M193', as seems all too often to be a goal.

Published loads likely show only what is tested, with those specific components. Note that BTFMJ varies (Hornady for example seems much more consistent in construction and weight than Winchester, and has a thicker Jacket), as does the ogive of the bullet. So different pressures with different brands of FMJ are likely.

That said, loading .223 Rem with H-335 and 55 FMJ is likely very common, you're likely to get more feedback on this.

Don't expect your best accuracy with 55 FMJ, but the Hornadys shoot MOA-ish.

 

[Otto]

Are you using military brass or commercial...it makes a difference and can effect pressures. Be suspicious of anyone that says otherwise.

 

[JDGray]

23.5gr H335, was the sweet spot in my AR15, with 55gr fmjbt. But only expect about 2800fps

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

99% of my brass is once fired LC brass, the other is once fired PMC commercial I purchased before I started reloading 223.

I am not trying to hot rod them I just want good accurate loads for range practice.

I am not new to loading 223 I have just always used 60grvmax in my bushmaster and M&P.

 

[NCsmitty]

As has been stated, don't worry about specific bullet applications with a mid power load. If it's 55gr, it will be fine, pressure wise. That doesn't mean that it will shoot to your satisfaction group wise though. That's what "working up" a load is about. You may have to change powders, who knows? Each rifle is different and responds differently to component changes.

NCsmitty

 

[SSN Vet]

I'm pushing the Win 55gr. FMJBT with 25 gr of H335 and getting great results......

have loaded up to 25.3 gr H335 with no problems

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

After more research it sounds like the barrel twist should come more into play. I have a 1/8 twist on my bushmaster. It seems you should try to keep 55gr to 2800fps or below for a fast twist. At least that is what some of the highpower shooters at work are telling me.

 

[Evenflo76]

Modern Reloading 2E suggests a start at 23.0 and a max of 25.3 for a 55 grain jacketed bullet in .223 with H335

Velocities are 2940-3203 respectively...

 

[NCsmitty]

You can speculate all day, but I would load up 20 rounds with the very safe 23.5gr of H335 and the Hornady 55gr FMJBT and try them. You may be pleasantly surprised or not. It will not hurt your Bushmaster and you'll learn from your experience. Just remember that the Hornady's are not Berger Match bullets.

NCsmitty

 

[rcmodel]

It seems you should try to keep 55gr to 2800fps or below for a fast twist.

Hogwash I say!

The GI M193 55 grain load gets 3,100 - 3,200 FPS out of a 1/7, 20" M-16 barrel.
And it shoots just perfectly fine, as far as GI Ball goes!

A good rule of thumb is that you cannot over-stablize a bullet.
If it doesn't blow up in the air, it will probably group just fine with the right load of powder behind it.

rcmodel