.223 Rem IMR3031 Starting load

[hsiddall]

BUllet is 55 gr hornady sp
Acording to page 5 of the complete reloading manual for the .223 Remmington, Starting load is 20.5 and max is 22.8(hornady)
On page 57 it states that 3031 max is 25.0 (per IMR)
You may have seen my problem posted about .308 loads as well. Need input before I fire any of these. I shot a few That seemed fine at 20.5 but now IM a bit nervous as I have over 900 at the low charge...Just plinkin ammo for the wife and I...

 

[Walkalong]

Speer #13 shows a start load of 24.0 grains and a max load of 26.0C for 3031 and 55 Grain bullets. (C is for compressed)

 

[rcmodel]

Hornady #6 says 20.5 starting.
22.8 Maximum.

Hornady #4 says 21.6 starting.
25.0 Maximum.


rcmodel

 

[hsiddall]

So, if it is printed does it mena that it is safe???

 

[rcmodel]

Yes!
If it is printed in a Reloading Manual for the brand of bullet you are using, the starting load is perfectly safe in any rifle in good condition.

Can't say the same for everything that is, or has been "printed" on the internet though.


rcmodel

 

[Walkalong]

Just one more reason everyone always says "get a reloading manual" in these threads.

 

[GooseGestapo]

FWIW:I've never gotten that good of accuracy in the .223 with Imr3031. It could have been the bullets or the lot# of powder, though.

I've gotten much better accuracy with H335, BL-C2, or Reloader 15. Much higher velocities, too....

You'll run out of room in the .223 Case with bullets lighter than 55gr before you run up against excessive pressures. IMR3031 is bulky and doesn't meter well through a powder measure...

Had a LOT better results with H322 which is very close in burning rate, but a bit less bulky....

 

[armoredman]

rcmodel, that is not always true - I had some loads using AA#2 and an older Hornady manual, that were supposed to be medium, but felt like +P+. it turned out they were! The manufacturer had changed the powder formula since the Hornady manual had been printed, and the new data was far differant. So, get the newest manual put out by your powder manufacturer, and use that.

 

[PTK]

rcmodel has just demonstrated one of the issues I've found in reloading manuals. Two editions with a few grains difference in loads make me question which one is correct. Many times I'm now noticing that newer manuals have higher maximum loads, as well.

 

[Mel Taylor]

I've achieved excellent accuracy out to a couple of hundred yards (I seldom shoot beyond that) in my HandiRifle using 23.5 gr 3031 behind 55 gr Hornady VMax bullets with both CCI & Winchester primers. Full length sizing, OAL 2.227.

Been shooting this same load for at least 8 years with no sign of high pressure or anything to indicate that the load is excessive.