Another 223 Loadout question

[Steelslinger]

I'm loading some 223 ammo and have a question.

Specs:
LC Brass, Once fired
Rem Small Rifle primers
Varget Powder
Hornady A-Max Moly coated bullets

Will be fired from an AR15/M4gery with a 16" barrel marked 5.56.

I'm loading approx 24 gr of powder into the case, using a 75gr A-Max bullet. It says the COL is 2.250" (info from Hodgdon's website). When I seat the bullet, I can hear it crunching powder and seems the taper on the bullet is such that when seated, there is more of a lip on the mouth of the brass. Is either of these a problem?

I'm only loading 10 rounds as a test, but want to make sure there isn't a problem first.

Thanks in advance.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

A couple of things:

1. Instead of picking a load, start at the bottom of your reloading manual's range and work your way up in half grain increments until you reach a point you're close to "filling the case" and compressing the load. I wouldn't suggest shooting a "full case/compressed load" with any powder. You're risking blowing up your gun and hurting yourself due to excessive pressures. As you're working your load up, Keep an eye on your primers and watch for signs of excessive pressure, such as primer cratering or flattening with square edges. You may be suprised your most accurate loads are not where you thought they would be as far as powder quantities go. The trick is to find a balanced load, not necessarily a hot one if you're looking for top notch accuracy.

2 Second, it sounds like you have a die or dies that isn't set up quite right. I would go back through and check them. I would use an overall length from the manufacturer of the bullets website. I do want to note, however, that you'll get best accuracy with the bullet seated out closer (wiithin 2 thousands) to your rifle's lands. The information on how to set up for seating bullets out like this is contained in Metallic Cartridge Reloading and other good books on more advanced reloading.

I certainly would NOT shoot a compressed load without working up the powder and having a chronograph to monitor velocities. You're putting yourself at risk.

Take care,

Dave

 

[Doug b]

Like Dave said

"start at the bottom" with military brass being of heavier construction your load appears to be over max.But if you must or for future needs a drop tube will help with compressed loads.

 

[BsChoy]

I wouldn't suggest shooting a "full case/compressed load" with any powder. You're risking blowing up your gun and hurting yourself due to excessive pressures.

I have to tend not to agree with that statement Dave, although my reloading experience is limited (only been about 2 years now) I have seen in 223 and 308 rounds that compression will happen more often especially with longer bullets and I have yet to get signs of pressure with standard compressed loads. Not to say there isn't truth to your statement as there are oodles of diff powders with different burn characteristics, my findins with Varget, RE15, and IMR 4064 have show me good results more often than not without pressure signs. But as always your results may and most likely will vary to some degree.

 

[ocabj]

I wouldn't suggest shooting a "full case/compressed load" with any powder.

This is often not feasible with regards to .223 and 75gr and heavier bullets. 24.0gr of Varget/RL15/N140 is very common in Service Rifle High Power loads and you will get some compression of powder with either of the three.

Shooting a compressed load is not unsafe in itself.

 

[rino451]

Varget's max load is a 27gr compressed load for a 55gr FMJ if I recall correctly. I wouldn't worry too much about it at least with Varget. I use 26 gr Varget compressed (usually anyway because it depends on the case) for my 55gr FMJ loads w/ no problems.

 

[tikkat3]

I have used Varget with both 55gr V-MAX and 75gr A-MAX. My brass is Lapua (either once fired factory loaded brass or separately purchased Lapua Match Brass). 27.5gr Varget was the best load I achieved with the 55gr. With the previously factory loaded brass there was compression (the powder was just about overflowing), a hefty recoil for a .223, but no signs of excessive pressure. The Match brass allowed the bullet to be seated to the lands with as good as no compression - just a light touch in some rounds. However, I did not have good accuracy results with Varget with any 55gr loadings.

When I moved over to try 75gr A-MAX I found between 24.0gr and 24.2gr to be most accurate. Here there was no compression at all. I again seated the bullet just off the lands (with a modified magazine to take the length). Off the top of my head the OAL was approx 2.350" - I do not have the exact data with me.

Steelslinger I would suggest trying to seat to the lands using the powder levels (24.0gr) that you have mentioned, but single loading the rifle by feeding the round by hand into the breech, rather than using the magazine. I have only been able to modify my magazine as it is plastic, and has a generic design to fit all Tikka T3 rifles, but with different backplates.

All loads were worked up from minimum suggested loadings.

 

[mc223]

The A-Max bullet cannot be seated to mag length due to the longer ogive. Ok, let me rephrase that. You can seat the A-Max bullet wherever you want. At mag length the accuracy will suck and the intrusion into the case capacity may generate some very unpredictable pressures.
Seat the A-Maxs .010 to .030 off the lands and single feed them. I use a grain and a half more with moly A-Maxs in a Wylde chamber and a 26in barrel. Varget is good, V-V N540 is better in my application. RE-15 is good also.

 

[redneck2]

Above post is correct.

Also, you can use a common lead pencil to tap the side of the case. This will settle the powder some. Try it and see how much of a difference it makes. If you're pushing the bullet that hard, you'll probably lose a lot of accuracy.

Typically, the heavier bullets should be single fed.

 

[tikkat3]

As you say. single feeding is best unless you have a plastic magazine that can be modified with a Dremmel etc. (Tikka rifles etc.). Standard magazines will give no accuracy for the reloader.