Use a long drop tube, or agitate the case after dropping the powder.
Loading the Sierra 69 gr Match King for AR15
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Varminterror
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I wear nitrile gloves when loading, I stick my thumb over the mouth, and flick the case a couple times with my other hand index finger. It finds its way down into the case a little further. When running my turret press, or loading one by one on the Co-ax, usually it tamps itself pretty well without help, but I have the muscle memory to "seal and tap," so I do.
Wreck-n-Crew
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Varget is a compressed load over most bullet weights in 223 for max loads.
Second target looks good.
Second target looks good.
Thanks, I just have never filled a case that full, wanted to make sure that is just the nature of the powder.
Thanks!
Russellc
Many people I know, including myself, use 24.5 grs. Varget with 69 match bullets in NM AR15's. Some drop down to 24.0 with 77's.
I just checked a LC13 sized and primed case and 27 grs. (loose) filled it to the top.
There is another current thread that discusses Varget loads with 55 gr. bullets where I dispute Hodgdon's starting load. Their 27.5 max would overflow the case. I've never had to do that with any other cartridge.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/223-reload-primers.818491/page-2#post-10498871
I don't know, but it seems to me that the usually conservative Hodgdon loading data is pretty aggressive with their .223 Varget data. The online Nosler 5.56 x 45 data starts at 23.0 and maxes at 25.0 with Varget and their 69 gr. custom competition.
I just checked a LC13 sized and primed case and 27 grs. (loose) filled it to the top.
There is another current thread that discusses Varget loads with 55 gr. bullets where I dispute Hodgdon's starting load. Their 27.5 max would overflow the case. I've never had to do that with any other cartridge.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/223-reload-primers.818491/page-2#post-10498871
I don't know, but it seems to me that the usually conservative Hodgdon loading data is pretty aggressive with their .223 Varget data. The online Nosler 5.56 x 45 data starts at 23.0 and maxes at 25.0 with Varget and their 69 gr. custom competition.
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Nature Boy
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And 25.3 of Varget is the accuracy load in Sierra's manual for 69g MKs under the AR section.
I don't find Hodgdon data to be conservative. Actually, I've found that it skews toward the hot side. I'm sure there are expections
That's why the ubiquitous advice of, "pick a published load, start low and work up" is always the right answer
Blue68f100
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My Serria book shows Varget 24-26C for the 69gr SMK @ 2.260" for AR's. My best loads have been around 25.7-25.8gr (not compressed) with Lapula and LC-15 brass.
Work up your load and find what your gun likes.
Work up your load and find what your gun likes.
Sierra shows their 53 grain Match King at 27.5 as well...at max. That has got to be full. Others here have suggested it will settle a little if coaxed...
Russellc
35 Whelen
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A few years ago I picked up a 500 piece box of these in the moly coated version because they were CHEAP...I mean something like $80 cheap. Then I bought what was supposed to an 8 lb. jug of H-335 that arrived on my doorstep as H-322. The guy refunded half my money so now I have cheap powder and cheap bullets. I know H-322 is a little on the fast side for heavy bullets, but I loaded some anyway.
23.0 grs. ran the 69 gr. MK right at 2700 fps out of my 16" mid-length AR. But the real surprise was when I zeroed it at 200 yds. with the issue sights. I built this rifle from a Delton kit and it is in everyway shape and form "as-issued" right down to the crappy trigger pull.
My 20" AR is also a kit build from an inexpensive kit, but I did manage to work on the trigger and get a crisp, light pull on it. The load chronographed 2780 out of this rifle and shot even better than it did with the mid-length.
The 16" grouped 3" or a little less, which would equate to 1.5" @ 100 yds. while out of the 20" the load grouped 2.5" or roughly 1.25" @ 100 yds. Given that these nice groups were fired with issue wights, I can only imagine how well they'd do out of a scoped rifle.
35W
Dill
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The 52's are little laser beams out of my 16" RRA bull barrel. Thumb nail sized groups at 100 yards is the norm. 27 grains of TAC, CCI BR4 primer, 2.55 COAL, RORG 93 NATO cases.. My 69 grain SMK load did not fare nearly as well this weekend, back to the drawing board on that one. I think I have just enough Varget left to load up 50 rounds of test ammo to give that a try instead of the TAC.
27.0 Grs TAC and a 52/53 Gr bullet is over the Western Powder PDF max, and it doesn't show 5.56 pressure loads with TAC and bullets lighter than 62 Gr. Where did that data come from? I am shooting 25.2 Grs TAC and the Hornady 52 Gr Match HP for about 3050 from a 16" barrel. What kind of velocity are you getting?
Blue68f100
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26.2 gr TAC behind a 52gr HPBT-M from Serria are tack drivers out of my match barrel AR, 1:10 twist. Their averaging 3250 out of my 24" bull barrel. This is with LC-15 brass. If I hand sort my brass or use the Lapula brass the grouping is less than 1" at 100 yrds. I get slightly higher velocities with the Lapula Brass.
Ive had great luck with 8208 XBR to the point I stopped buying H335 and CFE 223. Its a bit more expensive, but I can drop 2 powders off my to buy list and just keep one around that covers any bullet I shoot in 223 and even some of my 308 loading. Ill be switching even 55gr blaster fodder for my ARs to it once my H335 is gone. I tried Varget in my AR loads, was never impressed by it. Too long burning to take full advantage in sub 20" barrels, and kind of hard on gas systems due to high port pressure. Not to mention the volume I shoot in an AR makes loading it on a single stage press a complete PITA. In a bolt gun though, where you have enough barrel length (20"+) and no gas system, it probably works fine.
I only keep 8208 XBR and Varget on hand anymore for my 223 and 308. Once my CFE 223 and H335 are gone, no more. I have been thinking about a 6 or 6.5 caliber bolt gun, so Ill buy H4350 for that. And a 300 WinMag might be in my future, which will require something even slower than H4350. But then again, Im interested in building a couple more ARs this year too, a 458 SOCOM and a 6.5 Grendel are a possibility. Too many irons in the fire....
Nature Boy
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Good luck finding it
Dill
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yup, 5.56 loading from the newest pdf. Max load listed at 27.4 I believe. I have not chrony'd this load (I hate setting it up when it's winter), I want to say about 2900 with a 26.2 grain load but I'd have to check my spreadsheets which are on another computer.
I have, and now its gone
Should have bought it when I had the chance. Luckily I know people that work where I can get it, and they will hold it for me when they get some in.
Here you go:
http://bullets.com/products/H4350-Rifle-Powder-1lb/BL7021
Whoops, "Not available for immediate shipment"
russellc
http://bullets.com/products/H4350-Rifle-Powder-1lb/BL7021
Whoops, "Not available for immediate shipment"
russellc
I buy all powder and primers local. I happen to have a great shop that keeps stuff in stock.
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