55gn Vmax powder charge?

[robfromsc]

Looking for some data for the 55gn Vmax pushed with H335. Can I use my load, 24.6gn as a starting/reference point ? The Vmax 55gn is slightly longer .83" vs .71" than the typical fmj I load for.

This will be for a AR. Not looking for a tack driver as this load will need to work acceptably in 4 AR's.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

Looking at Hodgdons data, thats a little too much. www.hodgdon.com Check it out.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

55gr vmax is about all I shoot in my AR's but I use IMR8208 (25.0 and 25.5grns)

 

[robfromsc]

Yeah, I don't see the 55gn vmax listed on the hodgdon site?

 

[MtnCreek]

IMO, as long as you're comparing jacketed to jacketed, differences in bullet shape is not a big deal for rifle cartridges.

 

[robfromsc]

Even if seating to the same oal, which I have to cause of magazine lengths, it won't Jack up the pressure?

 

[MtnCreek]

IME, rifle cartridges are not as sensitive to seating depths as many pistol cartridges are. I use generic data as a guide and haven’t had any issues. Use the starting charge and work up from there and all will be fine.

 

[cfullgraf]

Even if seating to the same oal, which I have to cause of magazine lengths, it won't Jack up the pressure?

Hornady's eighth edition reloading manual lists the 55 grain V-Max and the 55 grain FMJBT on the same page for 223 Remington. (there are 4 or 5 other 55 grain bullets on the same page as well)

Range of charges for H-335 is 20.8 grains to 22.4 grains.

From the manual...

COL 55 V-Max = 2.250".

COL 55 FMJBT = 2.200".

If I use somebody's bullet, I like to have their reloading manual if it exists.

 

[robfromsc]

That's a huge difference than 55gn fmj. Huge.

 

[MtnCreek]

Assuming same test receiver, powder lot and brass, it is a big difference.

 

[robfromsc]

I've posed this question on a couple different forums and get vastly different answers. I've got guys that swear they load this, for a AR, with 25gns of h335.

 

[788Ham]

Let me swear something here to you, get yourself a couple of reloading books and read them, then re-read them, in your spare time, read them again. I'm not being smart here, the other gents have expressed their opinions, possibly years of reloading experience, listen to whats been said here, they didn't answer your questions because they ran out of coffee and had nothing else to do. COL has many defining rules, just as powder selection and amount used will also, not abiding by these rules can cause some serious side effects, once a rifle comes apart in your hands because these rules weren't followed, its too damned late! YMMV !

 

[cfullgraf]

That's a huge difference than 55gn fmj. Huge.

Difference from what?

If you talking about the COL being different, the base of the two bullets are probably at the same place inside the case so that the internal volume is the same. The shape of the bullets are probably the same with the polymer tip of the V-Max making them longer than the FMJBT.

I do not use H-335, but with the powder I use, I load about the same charge with the 55 grain V-Max and the 55 grain FMJBT and shot in ARs.

If you talking about the difference in charge weights, many factors affect this shuch as different tester, different atmospheric conditions, different lawyers, different firearms, different primers, different powder lots, and many others.

As mentioned, investment in a couple of reloading manuals can be helpful and enlightening.

 

[robfromsc]

Thanks, Ive got 3, but none show the 55gn vmax.

The overall legnth of the projectile is longer than any 55gn projectile I have, or have loaded for. Hence the question. Sorry to bother...I'll figure it out

 

[joustin]

I use 24.5 of H335/WC844 for 55 anything and for the ss109 surplus. Works fine for me.

I am a master typist, my Kindle fire goes out of its way to make me look bad.

 

[joustin]

Sierra lists 23.6-25.7 for all of their 55 grain bullets.

I am a master typist, my Kindle fire goes out of its way to make me look bad.

 

[hentown]

Just loaded a bunch of 55gr. fmjbt bullets with 26.2gr. of 844. Have loaded thousands with 25gr of 335. (also have loaded a bunch of 55gr. v-maxes.

 

[straight-shooter]

COL is something i find what my rifle needs. I insert the projectile into the chamber and then push a cleaning rod down the barrel to the projectile. Then mark the rod. Take the bullet out and reinsert the rod with the bolt closed and mark the rod again. Measure between these two marks and you have your Max COL. Reduced that by .010 and your good to go. Adjust your powder charge accordingly to your COL.

55gr projectile with H335, I load 25.1gr.

 

[fireflyfather]

That works fine in a bolt gun. Not always in a mag-fed AR.