Powder charges

[njsportsman]

I guess I am a little confused with powders and their charges for certain bullets. Here is my dilemma. I am using H335 for 62 grain M855 ammo. The Hodgdon site only gives one bullet type and that is SFT SCIR which is swift scirocco. What is that and what is it similar to? If i get my Speer manual and look up H335 it gives me a 62grain fmj boat tail which is what I have from Rocky Mountain Reloaders and the charges are about 4 grains higher for the FMJ Boat tail. Now is Speer giving me data for speer bullets or a boat tail is a boat tail which is what I believe? Then if that is the case then why does Hodgdon's webpage only show the swift sciricco and not the boat tail? This maybe a easy answer for most but i am fairly new and this is a new round for me. My philosophy is simply " when it comes to firearms there is no dumb questions". Thanks

 

[Fire_Moose]

I've seen some company's load data awkward to read before, it's possible other option may be listed in a different area of the pdf?

The bullet you mentioned may be longer or have a larger bearing surface. Also, 4gr isn't very much even in .223, and you will find different numbers at different sources. Hornady's book is notoriously conservative.

 

[njsportsman]

I've seen some company's load data awkward to read before, it's possible other option may be listed in a different area of the pdf?

The bullet you mentioned may be longer or have a larger bearing surface. Also, 4gr isn't very much even in .223, and you will find different numbers at different sources. Hornady's book is notoriously conservative.

Yes I would agree in most cases but the 21.4 grain which is the max for the swift bullet which is not even the minimum in the FMJ BT. I loaded a few with the 21.4 and they preformed well and I loaded 150 more before stumbling onto this and i wonder if the performance would be better with the Speer load data. I will load about 20 with the speer data and see if there is any difference then decide if I want to pull and reload the 150. Any recommendations on pulling bullets quicker than the hammer type.

 

[FROGO207]

I will start with this: All loads are worked up with the exact components listed and THE barrel they tested it from. Other sources use different batches of components and lots of primers/propellant as well as a different barrel. This is why we start 10% below charges unless the particular propellant says not to use it that way. All same weight bullets can have different total lengths due to different materials they are made of , if they have a hollow point, etc. So some projectiles even though they weigh the same have to be pushed into the brass further to feed and this would raise the pressure when fired. So we compensate by using less of, or a different propellant entirely. As the above post #2 the percentage is what matters and 4 grains difference is a lot less in 223 than in say a 9MM round. I usually try to find several sources that use the same TYPE/WEIGHT projectile to use and average that data and start at 10% below the max. If all else fails us the data you can get from the bullet maker or the propellant distributor/factory. Just email them and ask.

I own the Hornaday cam lock bullet puller with the 224 collet and it works well with rifle rounds in 223 and with other collets it works with any rifle round.

 

[dgod]

I have the Hornady Bullet Puller as well, I have not used the Hammer Puller since.

 

[Walkalong]

The bullet you mentioned may be longer or have a larger bearing surface.

Very good point.

Also, 4gr isn't very much even in .223

If it's 4 Grs over it is a great deal. If it's under it will be weak and dirty.

 

[243winxb]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/5-56-nato-62gr-load-info-m855.767163/

Bullet construction makes a difference, along with bearing surface. Longer bearing surface and thicker jackets raise pressures.

Brass used comes into play also. http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/ Old but a good read. Sierra data if you click there photo. Note bolt and auto data are different.