First Time Loading .223/5.65 AR

[red rick]

I have Hornady 55gr. FMJ-BT bullets and will be using H-335 powder .

My Hornady book list the starting load @ 20.8 gr. & max. @ 23.2 gr.

The H-335 bottle list a 55gr. SPR SP bullet max. @ 25.3 gr. & starting @ 10% off max.

Lee book , 55gr. jacketed bullet , start @ 23.0gr. & max. @ 25.3gr.

Sierra book , 55gr. FMJ-BT , start @ 23.6gr. & max. 25.7gr.

My question is would you stop at the Hornady max. load or work up to the Sierra max. load ?

 

[MtnCreek]

May want to pm a mod to get this moved to reloading.

Lee uses Hodgdon's data.

IMO, the data is a guide. You need additional info (like pressure signs and velocity) to know where you must stop. Your # of powder is not the same lot they tested, your barrel and chamber is not the same as the one used for their testing. FWIW, I load that bullet using different Hodgdon/IMR powders and have gone a little beyond their stated max.

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Nosler book states 23.0-25 with H335, for all 55gr bullets.

Are you a new reloader? Are you using .223 cases or 5.56?

 

[Reloadron]

My Hornady book list the starting load @ 20.8 gr. & max. @ 23.2 gr.

Yes, and the Hornady manual for their bullet list a OAL 2.200".

Sierra book , 55gr. FMJ-BT , start @ 23.6gr. & max. 25.7gr.

Yes, and Sierra list a OAL of 2.250" for their bullet.
* Actually my Sierra 50th Anniversary Edition for their 55 grain FMJ bullet list a start at 22.9 gr and a max of 25.9 gr of H335

Even with the differing COL I doubt that COL would make much difference. However, it can be worth noting in some cases. Anyway, I would work from the Hornady data for starters. The differences you see aren't unusual. Matter of fact in some cases an older manual will show heavier charges for the same bullet by the same manufacturer. Many manufacturers have reduced the charges in their manuals over the years.

Work from the Hornady manual and see what you get both for accuracy and signs of excessive pressure in your rifle. Yes, I would exceed the Hornady max loads but won't tell you to do it.

Just My Take....
Ron

 

[BYJO4]

It's not unusual to find variations in loading data from one source to another. Seating depth and type of weapon used for test results also play a factor in the loading data shown. Start with the Hornady info and work up to obtain the accuracy you want while looking for any negative signs as you increase the powder charge.

 

[HOOfan_1]

I have loaded those bullets with 25 grains of H335 and CCI small rifle primers and Federal brass. Worked just fine but I stepped it back to 24.5 grains anyway

 

[sappyg]

My question is would you stop at the Hornady max. load or work up to the Sierra max. load ?

For some loads I have gone way beyond recommended max with no ill effects only to determine that the starting load proved more accurate in my rifle.

25 gr. of H335 with 55 gr. Hornady FMJ has worked fine in my rifle. Haven't bothered to see how far I can push it. In my case there's no need really.

 

[Louca]

This is not answering your question really, but I just finished testing the Sierra BlitzKing 55 gn (#1455) with several powders and of all the powders tested, H335 turned in the best group size and burned the cleanest.

My best load was 24.5 gn. Group size was 1.35 in @ 100 yds. (see below). I also tested 25.0 gn but the group was slightly larger.

Other powders that did not do as well were W748, IMR 4895, Hodgdon Benchmark, Accurate LT-32, and IMR 8028 XBR.

Other info if anyone is interested:
RRA A2 National Match upper
20-inch SS bbl, 1:8 twist
Aperature sights (NM .040 rear aperature)
Stock trigger
100 yds
Sand bag rest

 

[valleyforge.1777]

Someone up above asked if he was using 223 cases or 5.56 cases. i am also new to reloading 223. Does it matter which cases one is using? I thought we can use either case.

 

[ugaarguy]

May want to pm a mod to get this moved to reloading.

Done.

 

[KingM]

Rem233 & 5.56mm is the same case. I have heard the differences are in the chamber. I don't know if that is myth or truth.

I read one time in a Hornady manual that loads noted as accurate loads were the most accurate of the loads they tested in the gun they used. So in other words YMMD. Max means where they stopped & min means where they started.

 

[Gadawg88]

Check out the load data on the Hodgdon website. I would default to what they list there in this case. Start at the min. and work upwards in steps of 0.3 gn to 0.5 gn increments.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Someone up above asked if he was using 223 cases or 5.56 cases. i am also new to reloading 223. Does it matter which cases one is using? I thought we can use either case.

There is as much difference between one brand of .223 case and one brand of 5.56 case, as there is between any two brands of .223 cases.

That's why you work up your loads with specific components.

 

[steve4102]

I have Hornady 55gr. FMJ-BT bullets and will be using H-335 powder .

My Hornady book list the starting load @ 20.8 gr. & max. @ 23.2 gr.

The H-335 bottle list a 55gr. SPR SP bullet max. @ 25.3 gr. & starting @ 10% off max.

Lee book , 55gr. jacketed bullet , start @ 23.0gr. & max. @ 25.3gr.

Sierra book , 55gr. FMJ-BT , start @ 23.6gr. & max. 25.7gr.

My question is would you stop at the Hornady max. load or work up to the Sierra max. load ?

Lee data is not their own, they copy data from the Powder manufactures/distributors package it a sell it. This is why you bottle (Hodgdon) and the Lee data are the same.

Sierra does not have pressure testing equipment to test their loads and data. They test their loads in regular rifles and read the brass case just like you and I do. In other words, they guess. Sierra data is the last place I would look and the last data I would trust.

That leaves Hornady and Hodgdon.
I would use Hodgdon data, I would start at 23gr and work up to 25.3gr. IMO, starting at Hornady's 20.8gr will cause feeding issues and prolly unburned powder issues.

 

[MR__X]

What I would do, is fallow the manufactures of your bullet to their manual. Not all FMJs are the same. Watch for pressure signs and go from there. When in doubt always start low and go up.

 

[Potatohead]

Ive found Hornady to be the most conservative data source.( for 9mm and 223 at least)

 

[GT1]

Someone up above asked if he was using 223 cases or 5.56 cases. i am also new to reloading 223. Does it matter which cases one is using? I thought we can use either case.

The difference is in the head stamp, about it. As far as the myth about 5.56 being different volumes(heavier brass), it is that, a myth. You'll find some .223 that is heavier and less volume than some 5.56.
Don't worry about it until/unless you get serious as a BR shooter or similar.

Anyway, it depends what you are doing.
I load 55 gr plinkers(MG or Hornady fmj) and since my range is indoor 27 yards, I only need to cycle the AR to have my fun. 21.5 grains of A2230 works great, and the brass lasts a long time.

 

[red rick]

Thanks for all the help .

I started at 21gr. and worked up to 24gr. in .5gr. increments . I then loaded some 24.3 , 24.6 , 25gr. and stopped .

The brass I am using is once fired range brass . How I know it was once fired ? I was shooting with friends on private land . They let me have all of their brass .

The LC brass is not stamped with the caliper . The rest of the brass is stamped 223 , most being PMC .

I have some that I don't know what brand they are. They are stamped , FC , R . P and C C 1 3 .

The LC and the C C 1 3 brass has the military crimp , but it was only about 100 rds. of it . The PMC , Winchester , FC and R . P brass do not have a military crimp that I can tell , about 320 rds. of it .

I am going to be shooting it out of a S&W M&P with a 1/8 twist and a Savage bolt action .223 .

 

[RussellC]

Ive found Hornady to be the most conservative data source.( for 9mm and 223 at least)

This answer +1. I have among others, the Hornady book. Very nice book, but like Potatohead and others in many other threads have noted, the Hornady book is more conservative than other data.

Russellc

 

[grubbylabs]

What I would do, is fallow the manufactures of your bullet to their manual. Not all FMJs are the same. Watch for pressure signs and go from there. When in doubt always start low and go up.

I have found this to work the best.

Hodgdon seems to run a little hot.

However as it turns a out, my M&P with a 1-8 twist shoots a Hornady FMJ really well with 25g of H335. The pulled bullets I buy from RMR equally well.

 

[FastCut]

I am another shooter using 25gr.'s H335, CCI SR and Hornady 55 gr FMJ-BT in Mil Brass. I have loaded this for years with no problems but every shooter has to work up their own load. Best of luck, enjoy and be safe and keep asking good questions....it helps everyone.

 

[Level10]

I personally have always referenced back to Nosler(also shows 25grs of H335 under a 55 grain pill being the most accurate) for various calibers including 223/5.56, free load data on their site too, whether I am loading nosler/hornady/sierra/speer/surplus projectiles. Nosler seems to pretty spot on for me and my firearms. Not sure if anyone has had "issues" with Nosler's data??

Each manufacturer's jacketing and core is different in thickness and density so seating depth, neck tension and/or crimp etc. will come into play, which also makes every hand loader/reloader's "loads" unique.

As everyone knows and has stated, loading from minimum and working your way up is the ONLY way to go. Be Safe and enjoy yourself!