Need Opinions on this .223 load

[HKGuns]

Here is what I loaded last night. I had some load data that suggested 25.7 was max charge for 69gr SMK's. I've since looked at other data that conflicts.

Is there anyone who could say if this is safe or do I need to pull these 50 rounds?

Brass: Lapua .223
Primer: CCI 400
Bullet: 69gr SMK
Powder: H335
Charge: 25gr
Rifle: 16.5" 1:7 AR

 

[Bush Pilot]

Which manual did you get the original load from? It doesn't sound too hot in my experience.

 

[HKGuns]

Thanks,

It was in the Siera manual, but under the bolt section, not the AR section. I was looking for the 69 gr bullets and not paying enough attention to which section I was in I suppose. I don't even own a bolt action .223 so shooting it from a bolt gun isn't an option.

Those 69's seat pretty far down in the case so pulling them will be a royal PIA but I want to be safe.

 

[kerreckt]

Can't say whether it is safe or not for your rifle. The max amount for that bullet is 24.0g or 24.5g according to two different sources. Did you not work your way up looking for clues that you were at or near max for your rifle.

 

[edfardos]

Looks safe.

Fwiw, speer calls for a mag primer with h335, you might get some doubles with cci400.

I use 23.5grains of h335, accurate with 1/8 twist, easy on the brass, cycles perfectly.

R,
Edfardos

 

[horseman1]

Well, I'm no old pro, but have done a lot of 223 lately.

I usually start at the bottom and work up when I use a new combination of components. According to the information I have found, this load would be a bit hot to start with and may be to be too hot period. YMMV and I would suggest starting lower and finding a sweet spot. Maybe 25 is the sweet spot . But you wont know until/if you get there.

A few places you can check on the internet in addition to the manuals for this load:

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Hope this helps

 

[HKGuns]

Did you not work your way up looking for clues that you were at or near max for your rifle.

No I did not. I "thought" I was well below the max charge when I loaded it but didn't realize I was in the damned bolt section of the manual.

Not the first mistake I've caught, but this one will likely waste 50 bullets.

 

[horseman1]

You could keep them for now, and make more using incremental powder increases starting at a lower powder charge. If 24.8 doesnt show signs of pressure, you could give them a try. If you find they would be unsafe, pull them and recycle the components. Recycling is very chic these days.

 

[steve4102]

24gr is Max according to Hodgdon, starting with an over Max load is bad ju-ju.

Hodgdon pressure tests their load, Sierra does not. Sierra fires their loads out of regular firearms and then they guess what is safe and what is not. Their data should be taken with a Huge grain of salt.

Your loads are HOT, are they unsafe, maybe. Not gathering data from several sources then not starting low and working up can get you in real trouble real fast.

Toss the Sierra data and use pressure tested data.

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

 

[HKGuns]

24gr is Max according to Hodgdon, starting with an over Max load is bad ju-ju

Yep, which is why they are getting pulled. Pisses me off as I have at least 6 manuals but not all of them list 69gr bullets so I went to the Sierra book found it and stopped there. I normally cross reference at least three sources and for some reason I did not.

I suppose I was just in the groove and wanted to keep on going. Oh well, cheap lesson learned.

 

[Otto]

23.8gr. is the max according to Sierra's 5th edition (AR-15 section). Starting load is 21.2gr.

 

[Rule3]

Per Lyman 49th. 25.5 gr of H335 is Max with regular SR primer. With the 69 gr Bullet

H335 data is all over the place, only Speer calls for a Mag primer. Most other sources have the max lower than Lyman

So you are on the edge. Your call to shoot or pull

 

[HKGuns]

So you are on the edge. Your call to shoot or pull

Yes, I saw that one as well....Which only makes it more confusing as to what is correct.

 

[RussellC]

What oal are they set to?

Russellc

 

[Rule3]

What oal are they set to?

Russellc

Who are you asking? If me. Lyman has them at 2.260. The bullet is actually the Sierra HPBT 69 grain. Remington Brass.

Perhaps some of the differences in test data other than the usual stuff, is the brass used,?? commercial vs Military and the slight difference in internal case volume.?? Just a WAG.

 

[243winxb]

The CCI 400 primers flow at midrange pressure,for me. Rem 7 1\2 dont.

 

[gamestalker]

They shouldn't be a problem to pull with either a kinetic, or collet puller, and then reuse the components, at least in my experience.

As for the charge, considering you are shooting them from an AR, it would be wise to pull them, and then work up from a published start charge. I would seriously doubt you will be picking up pieces of the firearm, but you could experience a catastrophic case failure, which isn't at all healthy for an AR, or any other firearm for that matter.

GS

 

[witchhunter]

It is always a wise choice to pull anything that you think is suspect rather than chance it. You can pull the bullets and there is no loss. Save the bullets, powder and primers and just do it all again. When you pull bullets, dump the powder, resize (carefully) and save the primers. Bingo, start over.

 

[balderclev]

Load some lower and work up to your current load. That will tell you if they are safe to shoot or not

 

[stavman11]

In agree also

Load some Lower Charges... Say 24gr 24.5 Gr... Shoot those and see how they go...

If those chart fine... Try a couple of yer Currents.... If the Others seem Hot at 24.5 then Pull the 25gr Ones...

I think those are Fine at 25gr.... ive loaded a LOT of H335 rounds, But I have not done any 69gr Bullets..

Good Luck... be Safe

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

How do you resize without popping the primer out? Only way I can thing if is splitting the sizing into two steps where you take the mandrel/decapper out and size it then put the mandrel back in and run it just up onto the mandrel. Is this basically the only way to do it?

 

[Rule3]

How do you resize without popping the primer out? Only way I can thing if is splitting the sizing into two steps where you take the mandrel/decapper out and size it then put the mandrel back in and run it just up onto the mandrel. Is this basically the only way to do it?

Depends on the brand of dies, Easy with LEE dies, just lososen the top nut and remove the deprimeing pin.

Or if you just hammered out the bullet, just neck size as the rest of the case was already sized.

Using the inertia hammer you can certainly save the powder also, no need to toss it.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Just to add to the mess i took a look at the Hornady .223 Service Rifle load data they list a Max charge of only 23.8gr of H335 with a 68gr bullet, well under your charge weight. In their 5.56mm NATO data they don't even list H335, they use all slower powders. IMO those loads are HOT. I usually charge 25.0gr H335 under a 55gr bullet, not a 69gr bullet.