.223 Load data question

[myFRAGisFUBAR]

Hey everyone. I just got some 61 grain 223 tracer rounds and I was wanting some load data opinions. Right now I only have varget powder. Load manual I have says 24.5 for a 60 grain FMJ. Would I be okay using 25 grains for a 61 grain? Also the tracers are super long bullets. I know it will compress the powder in the case. Is that going to be a bad thing? Thanks again

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Typically you use less powder for a heavier bullet. I'd take the start load for the 60gr reduce it 5% and work up slowly from there. Hope this helps

 

[myFRAGisFUBAR]

Wow. i had that all backwards haha. Thanks for that.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Also, 1gr difference in bullet weight is really no practical difference at all. You might get more than 1gr variation in a 60gr bullet lot.

 

[myFRAGisFUBAR]

Haha I just weighed 10 bullets and got a low of 60.4 and a high of 61.7. Good call on the bullet weights. I guess I will leave my powder around 25 grains because that is on the low side of this load data.

The bullet packing the powder tight in the case wont be a problem will it?

 

[cfullgraf]

Also the tracers are super long bullets.

Bullets of the same construction, such as lead core and copper jacket, and weight can share starting load data with the knowledge that it will be safe.

Different construction such as solid copper vs jacketed lead core, with similar weights maybe not so much.

If the tracers are significantly longer than the jacket lead core data, i would approach using the jacketed lead core data with caution. Personally, I would do some more research.

 

[myFRAGisFUBAR]

Here is a picture of the bullets. My regular 55 grain FMJ is on the left. 61 grain tracer is on the right.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Military bullets are usually a little longer than commercial bullets so that's not a fair comparison. Comparing an SS109 bullet to that one would would be a better example. (used in the US M855 ammo)

 

[rg1]

The very long M856 orange tipped tracer takes up a lot of case volume and powder charges have to be reduced. The military data using the same powder for both the 62 FMJ bullet and the 62 grain M856 tracer, they reduce the powder charge for the tracer by 1.4 grains. That's 1.4 grains less than the 62 fmj using the same powder. I'd reduce your charges by 1 to 1 1/2 grains from 60-62 grain data for Varget.

 

[myFRAGisFUBAR]

The very long M856 orange tipped tracer takes up a lot of case volume and powder charges have to be reduced. The military data using the same powder for both the 62 FMJ bullet and the 62 grain M856 tracer, they reduce the powder charge for the tracer by 1.4 grains. That's 1.4 grains less than the 62 fmj using the same powder. I'd reduce your charges by 1 to 1 1/2 grains from 60-62 grain data for Varget.

Using the Lyman 49th, a 60 grain .223 using varget has a min of 24.4 grains and a max of 27.2+. So to be safe as well as start towards the min, I will give loading 23.5 grains of varget a go. Thanks for the help!

 

[joustin]

Don't expect them to light, some may but who knows. The military uses WC844 for the 5.56x45 ammo but use WC844T for tracers, it is a little hotter and lights them better.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have found they don't light under 200 yards for the most part and they do need good velocity to light. That 200 yards holds true for the factory loaded military tracers too. (for me)