What happened?

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I would guess this applies to reloads, loaded to higher 5.56 pressures.

5.56 isn't loaded to higher pressures. The only difference is the throat on the chamber. The pressure is stated as higher for 5.56 because the military measured it in CUP and listed it as PSI.
 
5.56 isn't loaded to higher pressures. The only difference is the throat on the chamber. The pressure is stated as higher for 5.56 because the military measured it in CUP and listed it as PSI.

No.

308 vs 7.62 NATO, yes. 223 vs 5.56, No.
 
These next few pics hopefully will set the score straight on the " 25gr over maxed" I have been loading for over 40 years and do not rely on any one particular manual. I work up all loads as I have for years and the 25gr of AA2230 under a 55 gr FMJ bullet is not over maxed. And yes I do have them all and they are very different to say the least, lets just say the Acurate manual's. They have the same bullet load in different books stating different max charges. You can see in some of the pics. Takes too long to upload and download all the books so here is a few.


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I guess I should have just asked has anyone had bad relations with the PMC brass. lol Thanks anyway as always it looks like I don't have enough post's to know anything. lol
 
Jaxson, you are missing one very important point.

Your manuals are old. Accurate change 2230 back in 2007 and is now the same as Ramshot X-Terminator. The only tested and up to date load data is from Western Powders. At this point in time, their data is the only data I trust. YMMV
 
I found a 55gr load...

Accurate Arms online Edition 5.0 (2010)

223 Remington (not NATO)

using 2230 powder


55 HDY BT-FMJ 22.4 2,976 24.9 3,278 54,466 2.200

I still say the OP's original powder load was within specs. If the data is no longer vaild, someone needs to contact Western Powders.

M
 
I still say the OP's original powder load was within specs. If the data is no longer vaild, someone needs to contact Western Powders.

Not really, Western Has updated their data, it's the rest of the data out their that needs to be updated.

I would agree that the OP's load may well be within specs, but not with the bullet jammed into the lands. That requires a "start low and work up" no matter how old the data is.
 
Jaxson, you are missing one very important point.

Your manuals are old. Accurate change 2230 back in 2007 and is now the same as Ramshot X-Terminator. The only tested and up to date load data is from Western Powders. At this point in time, their data is the only data I trust. YMMV
I was not aware of that. But also the powder I have was bought long before that so that should not be a factor. JMHO. I'm an old dog and love to learn new tricks but these have worked for me and others I know for many years.:)
 
Accurate 2230 for a 223 Rem Chamber.

AA2230Powder.gif Different bullet = Different Pressure. or reduce the powder. The 5.56X45MM Nato load > 55 HDY BT-FMJ 23.7 3,133 26.3 3,452 61,380 2.200 Not to be fired in a 223 Rem. Chamber.?? :evil:
 
Bullet is not jammed! .... The powder I have was bought I believe in the late 1990's or very early 2000..... the manuals are for that era and newer. ...If the powders changed and some of you are looking into those manuals with the new powder ratings, that's fine and dandy. I believe what you are saying and printing, but keep in mind ... my old powder and old manuals are what I went by. Not new powder and new ratings. I'm not going to get into a scit slinging festival on here and I do appreciate the one or two who tried to understand instead of attacking without understanding. I will remove all PMC brass, drop charge with that powder, not load that close to the land's [jammed lol ] and probably want have this problem again. I'm getting to old for having any more kbooms. Yaw have fun, :)
 
You said it happened more than once. Did the other piece of brass blow out just like that one? Does any more of your PMC brass show signs of over pressure?
 
Not meant as a silly remark, apologies extended. Given only the info in the original post, what advice would you give to someone with 3 case failures in 3 different rifles in an unknown time frame and round count, who wondered what was wrong with the brass?
I would submit the possibility of a, often-fired case getting mixed in with the once fired brass. Resulting in a thicker case neck and increased pressure.
Since you have so much time and treasure invested in this load, perhaps you could get it pressure tested.
 
Bullet is not jammed!

Sure they are. You are loading .006 off the lands. That is less than the thickness of a human hair, give or take. Your bullets and press can vary OAL buy at least that much. You are jammed, make no mistake. .006 with a max load is your problem.
 
Brass that is heavy walled and a compressed charge which would not normally be compressed in another manufacturer's case... That IS a max load.
 
make no mistake. .006 with a max load is your problem.

That does appear to be the issue. Even on quality FMJ bullets, the ogive can vary up to .010" in batches, and that's what ultimately contacts the leade initially. You can have consistent COAL, but if there is more variation in the ogive than your set COAL, and you're pushing the envelope on the load, the resulting pressure spike can do exactly what you have experienced. The case is the weak link.
My target ammo gets no less than .020" off the lands, and I check and mark each box of bullets that I open.
I'm glad that you apparently suffered no injury, and can continue to enjoy a great hobby. Rock on.


NCsmitty
 
One thing I haven't seen brought up and am in no way accusing you of doing it wrong. How was your powder stored since it has obviously been around for a decade or more. If it has degraded any that will definitely cause higher pressures especially in double base powders (have no clue if 2230 is single or double base). Once again not an accusation just trying to throw something out there that hasn't been suggested yet.
 
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