Hornady Load Data 9th Edition

[pcallahan1984]

Is it me or is Hornady load data a bit on the conservative side? My 9th edition manual shows 23.2 grains of H335 under a Hornady 55gr fmjbt projectile. I see some loaders loading up to 26 grains. Also what are your Hornady 55gr fmjbt over H335 ? Would like the input. Thanks.

 

[Wil Terry]

YOUR question makes no sense as written...

 

[pcallahan1984]

Interesting. No one in any other forms had an issue with the question. I don't know any other way to state that Hornady published data is conservative when other people are loading at higher weights for the same load. Sorry if I confused you.

 

[OilyPablo]

I cannot say in general if Hornady in particular is on the light side, but in general most all books have been MORE conservative since, I dunno, 2XXX, maybe 1990's. I don't reload .223, but tonight I will compare Hornady with my other manuals, since I own at least 2-3 editions of all the manuals popularly available.

 

[LiveLife]

Often different published load data derive results from different testing variables like bullet/barrel/OAL etc.

I used to ponder about higher Lyman #49 40S&W load data compared to powder manufacturers' load data until I realized Lyman used .401" groove diameter test barrel instead of more typical .400". So when question comes up now, I suggest slugging of barrel and if groove diameter is .401", then to use Lyman load data but if .400", to use more conservative powder manufacturers' load data.

 

[pcallahan1984]

Thanks OilyPablo. Someone made the statement in another forum that because it is .223 Remington data 23.2gr is about correct. people loading upward towards 26gr are maybe loading at a 5.56 spec. which would make sense. But I would like to hear what the data has been over the years in the Hornady books.

 

[rcmodel]

Forth edition, 1993, shows 21.4 Start, 25.4 Max H335.

Sixth edition, 2003, shows 20.8 Start, 23.2 Max.

FWIW, Speer #13, 1998, shows 24.0 Start, 26.0 Max.

Speer #10, 1979, shows 25.0 start, 27.0 Max.

rc

 

[ArchAngelCD]

For my rifles I charge 25.0gr H-335 under most 55gr bullets. I never see any signs of excessive pressures in my guns. That may not hold true for you and your guns. Like already mentioned, many different outside factors will effect the charge range. The tested OAL in the Hornady manual my be different than those other sources you referred to but did not identify.

 

[rsrocket1]

25.0g H335 under a 55g FMJBT has been my load for a long time and it's been working well as my most accurate load. Just about everywhere I've read in the past had confirmed this so it hasn't even been a question for me.

I understood that question pretty easily.

 

[tonyjr]

For / to me Speer is the best - but I like Hodgdon - then Sierra [ both are 3 ring binder type . ]
Not sure which is worse Nosler or Barns .
I go by what I have and reload - Nosler does not sell any for the 50 AE - O K not listed
but Barns does - not listed in their manual either
Anyway , I generally get the latest manual when I see it .
Hornady must have something in it - I found a note - " going snow boarding with Adam ,
I took the extra Lee and 3 Hornady manuals and the automatic pistols with me , will call tonight . "
I up grade my books - hoping more loads for the desert eagle .
If you care - every batch of bullets is different . The copper is the same , softer / harder
It gets hot outside - turn on air - it gets cold turn on heat - just changing the humidity changes the weight of the same volume of powder .
Even the shell case changes size with temp - increasing / decreasing pressure .
I load in the middle of minimum and max.
My loads are mine - but I make a note to each charge of what book - page and when it was printed .
Since I have 4 nephews and 2 nieces that shoot , I reload from 25 ACP to the 50 AE .
Rifle wise 223 to 308 .
Something else to remember is powder like everything has a minimum and max of what is O K to sell .

 

[rg1]

Hornady's data was tested in a 26" 1/12 twist bolt rifle. Maybe that's ok for a max load in that rifle but it's anemic in the AR rifle. If loading for an AR rifle then trust Hodgdon's data. I would consider Hodgdon's data at 25.3 grains safe with all primers and cases. BUT work up to that level. Any data like Speer's 27 grain maximum is way too hot and should not be used. Again I trust Hodgdon data for 55 gr. loads in AR's. My opinion of Hornady's data that has been the same 23.2 in the last few manuals is that they should test the most popular bullet, 55 grains, in the most popular .223 rifle the AR-15. It's lazy for them to not test this load in AR's. Other Hornady data in my calibers is close to my results.

 

[tcook90]

I load 24 gr H335 with 55 gr Soft points, using a magnum SRP (CCI 450). Seems to be the sweet spot for my rifle.

 

[OilyPablo]

I checked a couple of my new xxxx (caliber not relevant) loads in Hornady 9th, and I agree with the OP, Hornady is way light, even compared to the specific powder company recommendation.

 

[Blue68f100]

I had though that too, till recently. I was testing loads for my 223R was using LC brass and started getting pressure signs 0.2 gr before their listed max. This load is over a grain lighter than Sierra or Hodgdons. So it all depends on what your case volume is. The crony numbers matched pretty close to what Hornady reported. Did not need to go to max to find the sweet spot. This is why you work up your loads. A change in components have a great impact on the results.

 

[tcoz]

24.8gr H335 under 55gr FMJBT