My second .223 reload results, and some ??'s

[Tomekeuro85]

I reloaded my second .223's and shot them yesterday. Average of all the groups was about .6, smallest being about .3 and largest being about .9.

I loaded 50gr Sierra blitzking with 25.5, 26, 26.5, and 27 gr of H335.
I didnt get to shoot all of the 27's because the primers were cratering after the first 2 shots so I stopped. My question is, the load data for sierra blitzking said that max was 28gr of H335, while Hodgdon said max was 26. I averaged and made it 27. Howcome sierra's was so high. Perhaps they used a different rifle and got different results?

 

[dodge]

You answered yuour own question. Every rifle is a law onto it self. What is max or shots well in my rifle maynot be for your rifle. Most reloading manuals will give you different max chargesdue to the simpole fact that the manufacturers use different rifles or a universal reciever. What I do when selecting or working up a new load is look at which powders give the highest velocities and use the lowest max charge out of the several manuals that I have and use that as my max. If I don't get any signs of high pressure with that charge only then will I go higher if needed. Usually I get my best accuracy with a couple of grains below max.

 

[Bacchus]

It sounds like your reloads were pretty accurate, at least the ones that were safe to fire. The only thing that I would like to add is that it's NOT a good idea to average loading data and essentially make up your own. You're very lucky that the only thing that happened was cratered primers. Start low and work up based on what's in the manual.

 

[taliv]

i could be wrong, but it's my impression that bullet mfgs consistently list hotter max loads than powder mfgs

 

[Tomekeuro85]

Perhaps I had it backwards or something, but I know one max was 28 and one was 26. Either way, I'm happy wiht my groups.