Anyone loading 223/5.56 with H 335, 55 gr bullets??

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Rule3

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I have been shooting a lot of these Hornady 55 FMJ BT w/c using 24.0 gr H335

These work well in any of my rifles and have no issues,

Hodgdon (different bullet) lists 23.0 to 25.3 same COL Speer bullet

Hornady lists 20.8 with a max of 23.2 COL of 2.20

Speer #14 shows 24.9 to 26.0 and uses a MAG primer??(it should be the same as Hodgdons??)

Essentially Hornadys max is Hodgdons start?? Speer start is over Hornady MAX?

I have not chronograph these but it seems some of this data is out of whack?

:confused::confused:
 
These work well in any of my rifles and have no issues,
So what's the problem? It's a plinking load, right? Your not going to be doing serious target work with a FMJ. IIRC, I used 25.0 and a mag primer (From the Speer #11 manual) years ago, and like you, it worked well for me. I had no idea of the velocity, it just felt good, shot well enough, and I was happy.

Just looked, it was 24.0 grs, the max in #11. I do believe 25.0 Grs is popular though. Could be remembering wrong.
 
I load 55gr FMJ at 24.5gr of H335. 24gr wasn't all that great for accuracy from my AR15, and 24.5 was better. I have since loaded a series of 5 (I think, been awhile) rounds in .2gr increments all the way up to 25gr to see if I can hone it a bit more on the 'perfect' load.
 
Per Walkalong as long as what you are loading works for you stay with it. What you are seeing with different sources of load data is not unusual. Many will also mention that older manuals had heavier charges than newer of the same manufacturer.

As to primers. Hodgdon H335 is in their Spirical Rifle Powder family. The discussion becomes that a magnum type primer will better insure ignition with powders of this type. Both Hornady and Hodgdon recommend using WSR (Winchester Small Rifle) primers. Winchester does not make Small Rifle Standard and Magnum primers, they only make one, the WSR and that primer is suitable for both standard and magnum loads (powders). Sierra and Lyman will suggest a Remington 7 1/2 and again the Remington 7 1/2 BR (Bench Rest) is suitable for both magnum and standard loadings. The Speer load data uses CCI primers (no surprise there :) ) and does distinguish between using a magnum SR primer CCI 450 or a standard SR primer CCI 400 depending on the powder. There are countless pages of primers and primer brisance discussions on the web. I always enjoyed the images in this link.

Ron
 
I realize that data will vary based on the source. Different tests, day, equipment. Actual firearm VS test barrel etc. It's just that I found this example extreme in how much it varies.

I recall a thread here where I posted I used the start load in the Hornady manual and was pretty much laughed at that it would not cycle the rifle (believe it was a Mini 14) as it was so low and did not match Hodgons data.

So I was curious as to what others were using.

Guess I will post a query on best lube or best cleaning media to use.;)
 
I use 25.3gn of H335 with the Hornady 55gn fmjbt. CCI 400 primers. Very accurate.
 
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I've loaded a lot of 55 gr FMJBT with 25.5 gr of H335 and it functions my M16 quite well. I use a slightly lower load, 24.5 to 25.0, in other AR platforms and a Mini 14. The higher load in the M16 assures good functioning. It seems that the lower loads don't always cycle the M16 as reliably. But use whatever works for you.
 
24.5g of H335 shoots well for me with a 55gFMJ

Interesting. I went back and looked at my load work-up results and, although 25.3gn gave me my best results, the second best load, of the ones I tried, was 24.7gn. Pretty close to your 24.5gn. I started at 23.8gn and stepped up by 0.3gn to 25.3gn.
 
Thanks. I will try some bumped up 1/2 grain and see if it groups any better. Groups pretty well at an even 24.0gr
 
I'm late to the party as usual!

My standard AR ammo is made with a CCI#41 or CCI450 primer with a 55gr FMJ bullet over 25.0gr H335. (like a few others above) I have found that load to be very accurate and completely reliable. When I can't get either of those primers I use a CCI400 primer instead.
 
Interesting. I went back and looked at my load work-up results and, although 25.3gn gave me my best results, the second best load, of the ones I tried, was 24.7gn. Pretty close to your 24.5gn. I started at 23.8gn and stepped up by 0.3gn to 25.3gn.
I have shot a bunch at 25g as well. My POI went up a little bit, and I also load a lot of CFE223 as well. My CFE load and H335 with 24.5g load match up nicely for POI. No other reason why I shoot 24.5g. 25g was just as good. Just didn't feel like adjusting my sights or compensating.
 
For those that keep more detailed records than I do;), was there much difference noted between 24 and 25 grains?
 
For those that keep more detailed records than I do, was there much difference noted between 24 and 25 grains?

My notes are at home, but the FPS were definatly faster and POI changed. But not by much. I think the higher charge burned a bit cleaner if i can remember correctly.
 
I use 24.3gr of H335 with the Hornady 55gr FMJ w/c.

I found 24.3gr of H335 cleaner than 23gr and functioned perfectly with better accuracy in my two heavy barreled ARs (both with 1 in 9 twists). The cases ejected consistently to the same area. At 25gr the cases were flying all over the place but they were cleaner.

I have a nephew who shoots the same load but with Everglades Ammunition and Reloading version 2 55gr FMJs.
 
Once I hit 25 grs I never looked back. That's pretty much all I load in 223 anymore.
 
I just bought my first pound of H335 yesterday because that was what they had in stock. Plan on a 25 grain charge under a 55 gr hp. Then see what happens
 
24.7 H335, 55gr VMax, worked real nice for me. I was at a local gunshow over the weekend, saw an 8lb jug of H335, $198, seemed high till I got home and checked, used Powder Valley for a reference. Once I figured in the price, hazmat, shipping, not so bad.
 
24.7 H335, 55gr VMax, worked real nice for me. I was at a local gunshow over the weekend, saw an 8lb jug of H335, $198, seemed high till I got home and checked, used Powder Valley for a reference. Once I figured in the price, hazmat, shipping, not so bad.
$25/lb used to be too high when buying bulk but since powder is now over $30/lb in the stores so that's not so bad...
 
I used 23.5gn of h335 with 55gn vmax and had 3 holes touching at 100 yds with my ar.
24gn was close to it but opened up with 24.5 and 25
 
I use 25gr of H335 for all my 55gr Pills. all in AR15 rifles
All with CCI400 primers, col 2.23.... Tried from 23-26gr and liked the 24.5-25gr loads the best... so just stuck with 25gr

As for FMJ... I have never been able to get the Accuracy from the Hornady FMJBT of any consistent nature. tried COL from 2.20-2.25, higher and lower powder loads... bullet crimp and no Crimp.... Even stood on my head, leaned against my Truck... Both eyes Closed.. and still the same patterns:uhoh:... maybe its just me....:cool:

I can group 5 shots in a quarter size pattern, at times ;), at 100yds with 55gr Dogtowns.... but will have 5 within a Dollar Bill size area with the FMJ, so not as consistent at all with the FMJ's... So use those for my Short Range plinking Fun now.... think i still have about 3k of the FMJ's...:p


So try 24.5-25gr and see if that helps at all for accuracy. But if yer looking for accurate Inexpensive bullets try the Dogtown HP's, or Varmint Nightmare HP's. Very accurate Bullets and very good $$$$.
I like the V-max and V-max knockoffs as well... loved the Z-Max but they dont make em anymore:fire:

Good luck and Safe shooting
 
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