Reduced Load

SBR256 · January 22, 2013, 06:31 PM

Looking for a reduced load for .223/5.56. Really want to stretch my powder, I think it's going to be tough to come by. Plus all I am doing is three gun comp practice so the cheaper I can shot for the better. I'm using 55 gr FMTBT Lake City, and have IMR4064 powder. It's a pain to use it but I got it for my .308 which I'm not shooting a lot right now. Thanks for the help gents.

PA-Joe · January 22, 2013, 06:39 PM

Look up James calhoon gopher loads.

jwrowland77 · January 23, 2013, 06:35 AM

Look up Hodgdon reduced loads using H4895. I had great results with the reduced loads I did for my daughter and her .223.

L_Killkenny · January 23, 2013, 10:08 AM

The only rifle powder I've ever seen, heard or personally used for light loads is H4895. Look over at Hodgdon's sight for formula. I personally wouldn't use any other rifle powder for reduced loads.

Pistol powders however are another story. I've personally used Trailboss, BlueDot and SR4759, Unique is also popular but I've never tried it. If you go over to the forums at 24hourcampfire there has been many threads concerning reduced loads with pistol powders in the past few years. It may take some work to find em but may be well worth your time. Look under Reloading: Varmint Rifles.

No matter what you're gonna need a different powder but it may well be worth the effort. Keeping things simple is Trailboss and H4895. Both have formulas of at Hodgdons.

SBR256 · January 24, 2013, 05:28 PM

Thanks guys for all the info. In my SPEER reloading book they have a reduced load for .223 with 5744. Guess I'll just bite the bullet and buy some new powder..just trying to avoid that

243winxb · January 24, 2013, 05:51 PM

Quote:

.223 with 5744

Will that load work the action of an auto?

m&p45acp10+1 · January 24, 2013, 08:30 PM

So far from what I have seen powder supply is not what is hard to come by. Even in the last shortage powder was easy to come by. Primers are another story altogether. I also advise practice with the same load you compete with.

H-335 is a good one for 55 grain bullets is my go to. It is standad among many that compete with 55 grain bullets for a reason.

SBR256 · January 24, 2013, 08:52 PM

That's a really good question, I'm not sure if it will produce enough recoil to cycle the weapon system..can anyone comment?

SBR256 · January 24, 2013, 08:58 PM

But now that I think about it, a lot of SF boys run suppressors with reduced loads, no?

snuffy · January 24, 2013, 11:11 PM

IMR-4064 is a slow burning powder for .223. It's okay for 65 grains on up, but marginal for 55 grainers. Now you want to reduce the load? it will be very erratic with reduced loads, may not ignite at all. Or just enough to stick a bullet halfway down the barrel.

Recoil energy has nothing to do with operation of an AR-15. It's gas pressure at the gas port in the front of the barrel. Those reduced 5744 loads will NOT operate the action. Neither would any reduced load with IMR-4895.

Not many choices for reduced loads for an AR type rifle. The gas system needs port pressure to operate properly.

SBR256 · January 25, 2013, 08:33 PM

Stuffy, well said. Guess I'm just stuck paying for ammo like everyone else..

January 22, 2013, 06:31 PM	#1
SBR256 Junior Member Join Date: January 22, 2013 Posts: 5	Reduced Load Looking for a reduced load for .223/5.56. Really want to stretch my powder, I think it's going to be tough to come by. Plus all I am doing is three gun comp practice so the cheaper I can shot for the better. I'm using 55 gr FMTBT Lake City, and have IMR4064 powder. It's a pain to use it but I got it for my .308 which I'm not shooting a lot right now. Thanks for the help gents.

January 24, 2013, 08:30 PM	#7
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	So far from what I have seen powder supply is not what is hard to come by. Even in the last shortage powder was easy to come by. Primers are another story altogether. I also advise practice with the same load you compete with. H-335 is a good one for 55 grain bullets is my go to. It is standad among many that compete with 55 grain bullets for a reason. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

January 24, 2013, 11:11 PM	#10
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	IMR-4064 is a slow burning powder for .223. It's okay for 65 grains on up, but marginal for 55 grainers. Now you want to reduce the load? it will be very erratic with reduced loads, may not ignite at all. Or just enough to stick a bullet halfway down the barrel. Recoil energy has nothing to do with operation of an AR-15. It's gas pressure at the gas port in the front of the barrel. Those reduced 5744 loads will NOT operate the action. Neither would any reduced load with IMR-4895. Not many choices for reduced loads for an AR type rifle. The gas system needs port pressure to operate properly. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

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January 22, 2013, 06:39 PM	#2
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	Look up James calhoon gopher loads.

January 23, 2013, 06:35 AM	#3
jwrowland77 Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2012 Location: Conway, Arkansas Posts: 1,398	Look up Hodgdon reduced loads using H4895. I had great results with the reduced loads I did for my daughter and her .223.

January 23, 2013, 10:08 AM	#4
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,676	The only rifle powder I've ever seen, heard or personally used for light loads is H4895. Look over at Hodgdon's sight for formula. I personally wouldn't use any other rifle powder for reduced loads. Pistol powders however are another story. I've personally used Trailboss, BlueDot and SR4759, Unique is also popular but I've never tried it. If you go over to the forums at 24hourcampfire there has been many threads concerning reduced loads with pistol powders in the past few years. It may take some work to find em but may be well worth your time. Look under Reloading: Varmint Rifles. No matter what you're gonna need a different powder but it may well be worth the effort. Keeping things simple is Trailboss and H4895. Both have formulas of at Hodgdons.

January 24, 2013, 05:28 PM	#5
SBR256 Junior Member Join Date: January 22, 2013 Posts: 5	Thanks guys for all the info. In my SPEER reloading book they have a reduced load for .223 with 5744. Guess I'll just bite the bullet and buy some new powder..just trying to avoid that

January 24, 2013, 08:52 PM	#8
SBR256 Junior Member Join Date: January 22, 2013 Posts: 5	That's a really good question, I'm not sure if it will produce enough recoil to cycle the weapon system..can anyone comment?

January 24, 2013, 08:58 PM	#9
SBR256 Junior Member Join Date: January 22, 2013 Posts: 5	But now that I think about it, a lot of SF boys run suppressors with reduced loads, no?

January 25, 2013, 08:33 PM	#11
SBR256 Junior Member Join Date: January 22, 2013 Posts: 5	Stuffy, well said. Guess I'm just stuck paying for ammo like everyone else..