What's your H335 Load for .223/5.56?

[Harriw]

Hey folks,

I have a question, but first some background...

Just shot my first .223 reloads this morning. I bought a new optic for my AR since my cheapo red-dot bit the dust (saw that coming, but *had* to try it anyway...) and had to zero that first. Was having a hell of a time, as the LC 5.56 factory loads I was using produced fliers every few shots that I thought were legitimate misses. Thought I was doing something wrong, or scope mount was moving, etc.....

Anyway, finally got things zeroed to my liking, grabbed my loads, and produced this:



These were Hornady 55 Gr. SP's (Hornady # 2266) seated to 2.180" in LC19 cases, using H335 and Remington 7 1/2 small rifle bench rest primers. Starting top left and ending bottom right, powder charges were 20.8, 21.6, 22.4, and 23.2 Gr.

They were shot with a PSA AR15 w/ 16" freedom barrel (lower built up from a kit, upper purchased complete) and a 1-6x lpvo, at 50 yards from a bench rest.

Picture turned out a bit dark, but those are a penny and dime for size reference. 21.6 Gr did best, with a spread of ~0.6" so about 1.2 MOA. I'm quite happy with these results - particularly how the fliers I was getting with factory rounds just completely disappeared.

I was a bit surprised at how soft these loads felt though. I know these are .223 loads and I'm comparing them to full-throttle 5.56, but was still a bigger difference than I expected. So I did a little searching, and discovered that a lot of you are putting something in the neighborhood of 25 Gr. under similar 55 Gr bullets? That caught me a bit by surprised since Hornady's max load was 23.2, and Hodgdon's data seems to top out around there for most 55 Gr. bullets (though they do list a "55 GR. SPR SP" that goes up to 25.3 Gr.... My Lyman manual takes a Speer 55 Gr. all the way up to 27 Gr., but that seemed like an outlier compared to most of the data I was seeing, so I stopped my ladder at 23.2.

Anywho... I was curious what most of you load H335 to with 55 Gr. bullets? Honestly, is there anything to be gained by increasing beyond where I'm at? Can I expect better accuracy (out of a cheap AR) if I go higher? Otherwise I'd just be hitting my shoulder harder and burning up more powder for zero gain?

I don't have a chrono, but the Hornady data puts that 23.2 Gr. load at 3100 fps (2900 for the 21.6 Gr load). They call for 2.200" COAL so I'm seating a little shorter to hit mid-cannelure (freshly trimmed cases). These are really just for plinking and training, but I'd like my loads to be suitable for HD duty should the zombies (or any other 2-legged threats) show up. With these bullets available for $0.10 each they're a no-brainer (forget the price - just the fact that THEY'RE AVAILABLE right now makes them attractive). Is 2900 fps with these 55 Gr. Hornady's "good enough" to get decent expansion? 2800? Just want to make sure I'm not missing a reason to push these harder before I settle in on a load.

Thanks a lot!

 

[peels]

The 3100fps for the 23.2gn load is prob when using a test barrel that is longer in length.

For a 16inch barrel, at your favorite load of 21.6gn of h335, I suspect you are prob getting less than 2500fps. 21.6 of h335 is below the min for a 55gn bullet according to Hodgdon.

I load Hornady 55gn FMJ using 23.5gn of H335. It was chronoed at 2560 on a 80deg day out of a PSA freedom 16" upper

 

[Harriw]

The 3100fps for the 23.2gn load is prob when using a test barrel that is longer in length.

For a 16inch barrel, at your favorite load of 21.6gn of h335, I suspect you are prob getting less than 2500fps. 21.6 of h335 is below the min for a 55gn bullet according to Hodgdon.

I load Hornady 55gn FMJ using 23.5gn of H335. It was chronoed at 2560 on a 80deg day out of a PSA freedom 16" upper

Ah, good point on barrel length. I do recall checking the books to see if anybody specified test barrel length, but apparently forgot all about it after finding that they don't. I do see that Hodgdon lists a 24" test barrel in their online tool.

So maybe I do need to increase the charge a bit. Any idea what speed I should be aiming for with these SP's? Hornady has this to say (emphasis is mine):

The Hornady® line of traditional Varmint™ bullets features a streamlined design for flat trajectory. Its lead core and match-grade jacket represent the original standard created by Joyce Hornady for classic varmint hunting. Primarily comprised of spire point profiles and flat base designs, the bullets perform extremely well even at low velocities and deliver excellent performance in many classic varmint rifles.
​

I'll play with their balistic calculator a bit and see what I can find as well.

Thanks!

-Bill H

 

[rg1]

In this instance trust Hodgdon's data for 55 gr jacketed bullets Their maximum is 25.3 grains of H335. and I believe you'll find the best loads somewhere between 24 and 25 grains. My load with Hornady 55 grain FMJ's and Spire Points is 25 grains in LC and RP brass using RP 7 1/2 primers. No need to seat them shorter than 2.200" and no longer than 2.230". Hornady doesn't test their most popular bullets, 55 grain FMJ's and SP's. for the most popular rifle, the AR. They've been copying and doing a paste in the last several editions of their manual. Same data using a 26" bolt rifle an I don't even think the data they list is realistic? Don't use Lyman's 27.0 grain maximum either as in most instances it's way too hot and could even be dangerous. Trust Hodgdon's data for their H335 powder. Another example where it's good to compare powder company and bullet company data.

 

[peels]

Any idea what speed I should be aiming for with these SP's?

I load the FMJ for plinking at ranges between 50 and 100 yards. It is fast enough for my purpose and accurate enough to consistently hit clay pigeons at 100 yards. That is good enough for me...you will have to answer what you intend to do with the loaded rounds to find a velocity that is suitable.

 

[Charlie98]

That's one of the reasons I like the Hornady manual better, it has service rifle data in it, using, in the 5.56mm's case, an actual 20" AR. Unfortunately, because 55grn bullets are typically not match fodder, they don't have any info on the 55grn, or even the 62grn. I'm hoping they will fix that in the next edition. What's odd, is Hornady's standard .223 loads max H335 with 55grn bullets at 23.2grn, but the service rifle data maxes H335 with a 69grn bullet at 23.8... so you just never know.

Like peels, my standard 55grn FMJ load is 23.5grn H335... for blasting ammo. I don't really do accuracy testing with the 55grn bullets... they are cheapo mass-produced bullets. That may very well explain your fliers with factory, because they are loading the same cheapo bullets, too.

 

[kerreckt]

I load 24-25grns H335 (WC844) with 55gr. projectiles. H335 and WC844 give me the same performance in the lots I have used. I get best accuracy in this range.

 

[mmb617]

Well this is a timely post as I just had my M&P Sport II with a 16" barrel at the range yesterday for some chrono work. I use 55 grain FMJ bullets over 23.7 grains of H335. My average velocity was 2724 fps early in the day with the temp in the 70's. I usually shoot this gun at 100 yds and this load gives accuracy that's acceptable to me shooting off a bipod. I use 2.20 for my COAL and run all rounds through the crimp die.

The lightest charge of H335 I've tried with these bullets is 22.7 grains which chronoed at 2600 fps, but I thought that was too slow. I haven't tried anything over 23.7 grains because that seems to be working well for me.

 

[gifbohane]

I had a similar question about why I was getting so little FPS with much smaller loads (as compared to the Hornady manual) and someone here pointed out that the barrel that Hornady used was like 10 inches longer than mine. I looked their data over more than once and never saw the length of the barrel that they used. My barrel is 16 inches. Anyway I use your setup and tested from under 20 grains of 335 and settled on 24.5 grains. Load them at 2.200. Not the most but fine for me.

 

[Allen One1]

I have been using 21.9 gr H335 with 55 gr FMJ from xtreme. 2.20 COAL. I don't have current chrono data but it seems to shoot well. I don't think you will see any great increase in accuracy by pushing the bullet faster.

 

[SlowFuse]

Not a 55 grain, but one of the best loads ive found using light bullets and H-335 is with a Hdy V-Max 53 grain. 25.3 grain of 335 was the most accurate for me in more than one barrel.

I found an even more accurate load with this projectile specifically in a bolt rifle using H-322, 23 grains even. Can't tell enough difference between the two until you get past 200 yards.

 

[Harriw]

Thanks for all the input guys! I have nothing to lose, so I figure I'll load up a few more rounds ranging from where I left off at 23.2 Gr. up through 25 - 25.3 Gr. Thanks!

 

[Charlie98]

I don't have a chrono, but the Hornady data puts that 23.2 Gr. load at 3100 fps (2900 for the 21.6 Gr load).

I've found that most book velocities for .223/5.56mm have been overly optimistic... and as long as velocity isn't your primary goal, it's a non-issue. I think you will find an accuracy node within the 23-25grn range, and certainly the true velocity would be adequate for everything to work right.

 

[brasscollector]

I've almost always been able to find an accuracy node up around 2900-2950 FPS from a 16" barrel using 55gr bullets in an AR15. Load data for a traditional 223 chamber (say for a bolt action) is always more conservative than what you can typically get away with in a WYLDE/5.56 chambered AR15. I would also be surprised if your current load gets any more than 2500-2600 FPS. Accurate and easy on brass for certain, but also considerably more drop at distance. If 100yd plinking is in order the load holds up fine. When I was testing and briefly using H335 I believe my load was somewhere in the 24-25gr under a 55gr, and fairly accurate. YMMV.

 

[Harriw]

Thanks guys. Forgot to mention that yes, the gun does have a 5.56 chamber. I did see the service rifle data in the Hornady manual, but as Charlie98 mentioned, it doesnt contain any 55 Gr. Load data.

Went to load up some more rounds last night and realized I was short on prepped LC19 brass... guess I'm doing some brass prep today

 

[offthepaper]

I've been shooting the 55 gr Hornady FMJ with 25 gr of H335 for years.
A good accurate load for the 55 gr bullet (55's not the most accurate bullet ) that also cheap to shoot .
The SMK's are a much better choice for accuracy, however for cost, the Hornaday's allow for more trigger time.

 

[Lennyjoe]

25 grains here as well. Patterns great in my 10” pistol, 16” and 18” AR’s.

 

[jkhammer]

24.5 grains of H335 with a 55 gr FMJ BT Hornady at a 2.250 has been my go to round. Fired out of 20”, 16” and 7.5” - all shoot great. H335 works good in 308 win. as well.

 

[Charlie98]

H335 works good in 308 win. as well.

Not to completely derail the OP's thread... but.

I posted a question about this over on the M14 forum... using H335 in .308... and got very little response. There is data for it, but I only came up with one poster who actually used it for any length of time. The burn rate of H335 is right next to BL-C2... and many people use BL-C2, and I was wondering why one and not the other.

Because I use H335 almost exclusively in 5.56mm, I'd love to use it in .308 blasting ammos for my M1a...

 

[Metal God]

25gr for Hornady FMJ-BT right at 3000fps

25.5gr for Winchester FMJ-BT , never chronoed .

Both were best accuracy for each bullet in same rifle .

 

[CMV]

At work & don't have my notebook to reference, but 21.x is real light I think. 24.6gr I think is where I am with #2266 bullet (but would have to verify by looking at notes), Just below mag length and able to FCD over cannelure with 1.750" trim. That's still a slightly lighter load compared to most commercial .223.

 

[brasscollector]

using H335 in .308

Not to derail also, but I have tried H335 in a 308W with an 18" barrel. Never have I had so much muzzle blast from a 308 before or after. I gave the test a full try but neither of my rifles liked that combo, YMMV.

 

[JCSC]

I’m running hornady 55gr fmjbt #2267. 24 gr H335 2.215 oal. Any brass full length sized and CCI 450.

This shoots good in 3 ARs.

 

[breeze15]

I know this thread is old, but I'm slightly confused. Most are loading 23.5 to 25.5 with H335. I have 5 reloading books they have a low of 24 gr, up to a high of 27 gr. am I missing something? I've been loading 223 for 15 Yrs mostly with varget and 4064. First time using H335. Thank You.
breeze15

 

[Charlie98]

I know this thread is old, but I'm slightly confused. Most are loading 23.5 to 25.5 with H335. I have 5 reloading books they have a low of 24 gr, up to a high of 27 gr. am I missing something? I've been loading 223 for 15 Yrs mostly with varget and 4064. First time using H335. Thank You.

Depends on what you are loading them for. Most load data is not for service rifle (gas gun) actions, some load data is specifically for gas-operated actions like the M1, M1a, and AR-15 (5.56mm.) Generally speaking, service rifle charge weights are lower than standard load data. The Hornady load manual, for example, has specific pages for service rifle data.