whats a safe load for 223

bcm1315 · September 23, 2012, 08:17 AM

I am new to reloading ,I am using a Dillion55b press for reloading
I have been doing 9mm. and 45acp..no issues ..Now I am ready to do some .223 for my sig556 and I have 500 of nosler ballistic tip varmint 60grain bullets .what suggest starting and max load for this ...

bluetopper · September 23, 2012, 08:20 AM

Published reloading data abounds on the net and reloading manuals for the most common of all rifle calibers....the 223. Don't rely on some guy on an internet forum.

603Country · September 23, 2012, 09:13 AM

Buy a Lyman 49th edition reloading book and after you read the part about reloading practices, they'll have all the powder charge info you need. It's money well spent.

steve4102 · September 23, 2012, 09:32 AM

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

http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con...d_data_3.5.pdf

http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/up...dgun_rifle.pdf

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

Good Read here.
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/re...sgunreload.cfm

Adamantium · September 23, 2012, 02:46 PM

People will have their preferences on what powder to use but max load should always come from a published source and should always be worked up to while watching for pressure signs.

Edward429451 · September 23, 2012, 04:04 PM

BLC-2 meters very well thru a 550B measure. I use 26.0 gr with a 55 gr bullet and they shoot great. Do you have a load data manual?

hk33ka1 · September 23, 2012, 11:01 PM

http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data...60-Grains.aspx

I like Noslers BT bullets so I bought their manual. You can use the data for any of their bullets that are the same weight/calibre that you are loading. There are more powders/loads in their manual than on the free website.

bcm1315 · September 24, 2012, 06:20 AM

I do have a lyman handbook..I just did not see a load using those bullets.. I thought but am not sure about if you have a 60grain bullet if the load data in the lyman was specific to that bullet in manual or any 60grain bullet for loading.

hk33ka1 · September 24, 2012, 07:55 AM

The load data is specific to that bullet, but is generally close enough you can use the starting load to a similar bullet of same weight and work up from there. Differences like cast to jacketed bullets, or Barnes solid coppers require their own load data.

Edward429451 · September 24, 2012, 08:03 AM

Yes you can. You can use the most similar bullet to the one you're loading and use the start load. The difference in bearing surface of the bullet and perhaps the length of it could potentially make pressures higher than intended for the load from whats in the book...but not so much that a start load would get you into trouble.

I don't think I've ever followed a recipe to the letter (except shotgun shell reloading!). The manuals are a guide, a start point. Use the start loads and be confident.

Huh. My 1996 Nosler book doesn't list 60gr BT's, only 55 gr. Go ahead and use the data for the 60 gr V-Max bullet in the Lyman book. As you progress in your experience reloading you will become used to the different powders and learn what to expect from them so extrapolating data will become easier for you.

Woody55 · September 24, 2012, 09:48 AM

I agree with whoever said don't rely on some guy on the internet. Including me.

Get a manual. They usually give maximum and minimum loads for various weight bullets and different powders. Pick a load in the middle for your bullets and powder. That way you minimize the chance of screwing something up in either direction.

I have also used the maximum and minimum charges on the container of propellant to check the manual. There isn't as much information on the container as they is in a manual though.

I don't worry about accuracy when I am trying something new. I just make sure I can do it safely. Later, when I have some experience, I'll start making adjustments.

bcm1315 · September 24, 2012, 01:45 PM

thanks for the info and the advise.

Marco Califo · September 24, 2012, 04:44 PM

Walmart has good prices on safe factory loaded ammo. I tested it, and it goes bang every time!

droptrd · September 24, 2012, 10:38 PM

The Lyman book and the Lee book are great.

I load 223 for my AR's. I like Varget and Tac best. Currently getting great results with CFE223. Just as accurate as my Varget and Tac loads but its a very static'y powder. Kinda bugs me.

September 23, 2012, 08:17 AM	#1
bcm1315 Junior Member Join Date: September 12, 2012 Location: florida Posts: 7	whats a safe load for 223 I am new to reloading ,I am using a Dillion55b press for reloading I have been doing 9mm. and 45acp..no issues ..Now I am ready to do some .223 for my sig556 and I have 500 of nosler ballistic tip varmint 60grain bullets .what suggest starting and max load for this ... __________________ BCM

September 23, 2012, 02:46 PM	#5
Adamantium Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 1999 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 1,021	People will have their preferences on what powder to use but max load should always come from a published source and should always be worked up to while watching for pressure signs. __________________ New gun, same ol' shot.

September 24, 2012, 06:20 AM	#8
bcm1315 Junior Member Join Date: September 12, 2012 Location: florida Posts: 7	I do have a lyman handbook..I just did not see a load using those bullets.. I thought but am not sure about if you have a 60grain bullet if the load data in the lyman was specific to that bullet in manual or any 60grain bullet for loading. __________________ BCM

September 24, 2012, 01:45 PM	#12
bcm1315 Junior Member Join Date: September 12, 2012 Location: florida Posts: 7	thanks for the info and the advise. __________________ BCM

September 24, 2012, 04:44 PM	#13
Marco Califo Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: LA (Greater Los Angeles Area) Posts: 2,598	Walmart Walmart has good prices on safe factory loaded ammo. I tested it, and it goes bang every time! __________________ ............

September 23, 2012, 08:20 AM	#2
bluetopper Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Location: Northeast TX Posts: 1,197	Published reloading data abounds on the net and reloading manuals for the most common of all rifle calibers....the 223. Don't rely on some guy on an internet forum.

September 23, 2012, 09:13 AM	#3
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Buy a Lyman 49th edition reloading book and after you read the part about reloading practices, they'll have all the powder charge info you need. It's money well spent.

September 23, 2012, 09:32 AM	#4
steve4102 Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,952	http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp http://www.accuratepowder.com/wp-con...d_data_3.5.pdf http://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/up...dgun_rifle.pdf http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx Good Read here. http://www.exteriorballistics.com/re...sgunreload.cfm

September 23, 2012, 04:04 PM	#6
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	BLC-2 meters very well thru a 550B measure. I use 26.0 gr with a 55 gr bullet and they shoot great. Do you have a load data manual?

September 23, 2012, 11:01 PM	#7
hk33ka1 Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2010 Posts: 275	http://www.nosler.com/Reloading-Data...60-Grains.aspx I like Noslers BT bullets so I bought their manual. You can use the data for any of their bullets that are the same weight/calibre that you are loading. There are more powders/loads in their manual than on the free website.

September 24, 2012, 07:55 AM	#9
hk33ka1 Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2010 Posts: 275	The load data is specific to that bullet, but is generally close enough you can use the starting load to a similar bullet of same weight and work up from there. Differences like cast to jacketed bullets, or Barnes solid coppers require their own load data.

September 24, 2012, 08:03 AM	#10
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Yes you can. You can use the most similar bullet to the one you're loading and use the start load. The difference in bearing surface of the bullet and perhaps the length of it could potentially make pressures higher than intended for the load from whats in the book...but not so much that a start load would get you into trouble. I don't think I've ever followed a recipe to the letter (except shotgun shell reloading!). The manuals are a guide, a start point. Use the start loads and be confident. Huh. My 1996 Nosler book doesn't list 60gr BT's, only 55 gr. Go ahead and use the data for the 60 gr V-Max bullet in the Lyman book. As you progress in your experience reloading you will become used to the different powders and learn what to expect from them so extrapolating data will become easier for you.

September 24, 2012, 09:48 AM	#11
Woody55 Senior Member Join Date: June 19, 2012 Location: East Texas Posts: 407	I agree with whoever said don't rely on some guy on the internet. Including me. Get a manual. They usually give maximum and minimum loads for various weight bullets and different powders. Pick a load in the middle for your bullets and powder. That way you minimize the chance of screwing something up in either direction. I have also used the maximum and minimum charges on the container of propellant to check the manual. There isn't as much information on the container as they is in a manual though. I don't worry about accuracy when I am trying something new. I just make sure I can do it safely. Later, when I have some experience, I'll start making adjustments.

September 24, 2012, 10:38 PM	#14
droptrd Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 342	The Lyman book and the Lee book are great. I load 223 for my AR's. I like Varget and Tac best. Currently getting great results with CFE223. Just as accurate as my Varget and Tac loads but its a very static'y powder. Kinda bugs me.