Is this load safe? Hornady 55gr FMJ w/ CFE223

[SpentCasing]

Hey guys, this last weekend I tested my first 223 loads. I used Hornady 55gr SP and FMJ bullets over CFE223. I used Hodgdons online data which showed a 55gr SPR SP with a min of 26.0 and max of 27.8

I worked up a ladder and got the FMJ to shoot well at 27.5
The SP shot well at 26.4

Yesterday I purchased the Hornady 9th manual and they show a max charge of 27.4

I didnt see any evidence of overcharge on my cases. No flattened primers, ejector swipes, etc. It seemed hot, yeah, but no issues. (I can post pics of cases if anyone would like)

Is this load safe? Hornady book has me kind of spooked now, and Im about to load a giant batch of FMJs at 27.5

Info:
bbl: FN 5.56 16" middy 1:7
case: LC 1x (by me) trimmed to 1.750
powder: CFE223
bullet: Hornady 55gr FMJ
primer: CCI 400
COAL: 2.200

 

[Robert101]

It is not uncommon for the Hogden website to show loads well over Hornady published data. My personal opinion is to do just as you have done - work up the load and check for signs of excessive pressure. From what you have stated that load seems fine. My only other suggestion is to watch your brass from these firings and see how much life (# of reloads) you get from this load. My general rule is that if I get over 6 loadings then all is fine. In my 308 loads I generally get upwards of 12 loads on new brass.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I find that with some bullets you have to push CFE223 pretty hot to get decent accuracy. With 55gr V-Max I didn't see primers start to flatten until 27.0gr, at 27.5gr they were about as flat as I'd ever want to see and caused cycling issues, meaning it was cycling too fast to get proper ejection and feeding. But I was also seating to 2.200" +/- .005", so that may or may not have something to do with the pressure signs. Hornady books are supposedly notorious for being on the conservative side. I don't use Hornady books though so I wouldn't really know.

 

[SpentCasing]

I find that with some bullets you have to push CFE223 pretty hot to get decent accuracy. With 55gr V-Max I didn't see primers start to flatten until 27.0gr, at 27.5gr they were about as flat as I'd ever want to see and caused cycling issues, meaning it was cycling too fast to get proper ejection and feeding. But I was also seating to 2.200" +/- .005", so that may or may not have something to do with the pressure signs. Hornady books are supposedly notorious for being on the conservative side. I don't use Hornady books though so I wouldn't really know.

Was this a .223 or 5.56 chamber? Which primer? I ask cause, my primers look exactly the same as the 26.4s @ 27.5

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Well it's a Bushmaster, supposedly with a 5.56 chamber. Tula .223 primers. I definitely need to do some more testing with the CFE223.