223 remington loads help

decapp · January 29, 2012, 09:08 AM

I want to work up some loads this morning for my DPMS AR it has a 16" inch barrel with a 9-1 twist. I planned on loading 5 rnd batches starting with 21 gr. up too 24 gr. moving in 1 gr. increments. I'm using H335 I am planing to load up with 55 grain sp w/c hornady bullets and also with some 55 grain dog town spitzers. I planned on setting my c.o.l. at 2.200 as my manuals suggest. However my Hornady 8th edition manual has a different start and max load (Which is 20.8 gr. start load and a 23.2 gr. max)for this load than my modern reloading manual 2 edition which is a 23.0 gr. and a 25.3 max which mirrors what the Hodgon data has on its website. I am new at reloading. So my ? is why is there such a difference between Hornady and my other 2 resources and with all this being said do any of you think the 24 gr load will be unsafe? P.S I also plan on factory crimping my loads.

amathis · January 29, 2012, 09:17 AM

Typically when there is a discrepancy between manuals, I go with the lower number. It is always safe to be safer. Start low and work up watching for pressure signs. They will be a little harder to see in a semi-auto, but with some close attention you should be able to see it.

Don't be so quick to jump up in 1 Gr. increments. Think more along the lines of .5 gr. and if you notice the group close up then open back up odds are you've passed the sweet spot. Take the 2 tightest groups and start at the lower grained load and work up in .1 or .2 gr. increments.

One other thing you may want to watch for is the max length in your mag. I loaded some test rounds for my DPMS yesterday and was within .100 of an inch from being longer than my mag.

Welcome to TFL. Hope you stick around and we can learn more together.

FatWhiteMan · January 29, 2012, 09:38 AM

My 55gr load is 25gr H335 and I have had no problems with it in a 1:9 16" Bushmaster with IMI FMJ. Hodgdon says 25.3 is max on their online guide for one bullet and 22.8 for another, both the same weight. It sure doesn't hurt to start in the basement and work up.

55 GR. SFIRE Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.220" 21.4 2969 47,000 PSI 22.8 3099 51,800 PSI

55 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.200" 23.0 3018 40,800 CUP 25.3 3203 49,300 CUP

David Bachelder · January 29, 2012, 09:45 AM

If I'm using Hodgdon Powder, I prefer to use Hodgdon data. Same with Winchester, IMR or any other.

decapp · January 29, 2012, 11:10 AM

Thanks for your help...I wil go up in .5 gr measures like you suggested. well off to the basement to get this started.

decapp · January 30, 2012, 02:44 AM

ok- My next ? is this..... How will the tempature effect accuracy. I'm using
H335 and the temp where I'm loading is around 65 degrees. Its about 10 degrees outside right now and planned on trying out my rnds when it gets to be above 35 degrees. If I find a load that works in my AR. will that same load work (for accuracy) when its say 80 degrees outside?

mrawesome22 · January 30, 2012, 02:54 AM

Double based powders are more temp sensative than single based.

They will have more velocity as temp goes up.

Jim243 · January 30, 2012, 11:25 AM

My standard load for the Hornady A-Max 55 grain 223 bullet is 25.0 grains of H-335 (0.3 under Max). When in doubt go with the powder mfg information on load data. 24 grains of H-335 will work too, but not as accurate.

One thing to keep in mind is that an AR requires a bit more punch to work the bolt. Personally, I think that 21.0 grains is starting too low and will provide problems in cycling the bolt on your gun (specially a new AR and new spring). I would start at 23.0 grains and work your way up.

As to temp senitivity, it will depend on if you weigh each load or load by volume (powder measure). You will get more sensitivity by leaving your mags sit out in the sun on a bench than at what temp they were reloaded at. Keep your rounds out of the sun and you should not experience a signifigant change in pressure when you use them.

Just my 2 cents. Welcome and stay safe.
Jim

m&p45acp10+1 · January 30, 2012, 01:26 PM

Every .223 rem I have loaded for, (bolt action, and a few AR rifles.) Have shot very well with 25.0 grains of H-335, using whichever Small Rifle primer I could get at the time I bought them. The load will shoot better than most people (myslef included) can milk out of it.

**Unclenick** · January 30, 2012, 06:49 PM

Decapp,

QuickLOAD shows that the Hodgdon maximum load of 25.3 grains getting 3203 fps at 70°F, will run 2900 fps from your 16" tube. That's at the default 70°. It shows it will run about 3000 psi lower pressure and about 2839 fps from your gun at 35°F. At 80° the pressure goes up 1000 psi, and velocity goes to 1218 fps. It's just an estimate, but should give you some idea.

Will this affect accuracy? It could be enough to move you off a sweet spot.

A good rule of thumb is to work up loads in 2% increments when testing for pressure. That would be 0.5 grain steps. If you are working to find accuracy sweet spots, Dan Newberry recommends 0.7% to 1%. That's going to be just 0.2 grains. Bigger steps could skip over a sweet spot.

January 29, 2012, 09:08 AM	#1
decapp Junior Member Join Date: January 19, 2012 Posts: 4	223 remington loads help I want to work up some loads this morning for my DPMS AR it has a 16" inch barrel with a 9-1 twist. I planned on loading 5 rnd batches starting with 21 gr. up too 24 gr. moving in 1 gr. increments. I'm using H335 I am planing to load up with 55 grain sp w/c hornady bullets and also with some 55 grain dog town spitzers. I planned on setting my c.o.l. at 2.200 as my manuals suggest. However my Hornady 8th edition manual has a different start and max load (Which is 20.8 gr. start load and a 23.2 gr. max)for this load than my modern reloading manual 2 edition which is a 23.0 gr. and a 25.3 max which mirrors what the Hodgon data has on its website. I am new at reloading. So my ? is why is there such a difference between Hornady and my other 2 resources and with all this being said do any of you think the 24 gr load will be unsafe? P.S I also plan on factory crimping my loads.

January 29, 2012, 09:45 AM	#4
David Bachelder Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2011 Location: Trinity, Texas Posts: 636	If I'm using Hodgdon Powder, I prefer to use Hodgdon data. Same with Winchester, IMR or any other. __________________ David Bachelder Trinity, Texas I load, 9mm Luger, 38 and 40 S&W, 38 Special, 357Magnum, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 223, 300 AAC, 243 and 30-06

January 30, 2012, 11:25 AM	#8
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	My standard load for the Hornady A-Max 55 grain 223 bullet is 25.0 grains of H-335 (0.3 under Max). When in doubt go with the powder mfg information on load data. 24 grains of H-335 will work too, but not as accurate. One thing to keep in mind is that an AR requires a bit more punch to work the bolt. Personally, I think that 21.0 grains is starting too low and will provide problems in cycling the bolt on your gun (specially a new AR and new spring). I would start at 23.0 grains and work your way up. As to temp senitivity, it will depend on if you weigh each load or load by volume (powder measure). You will get more sensitivity by leaving your mags sit out in the sun on a bench than at what temp they were reloaded at. Keep your rounds out of the sun and you should not experience a signifigant change in pressure when you use them. Just my 2 cents. Welcome and stay safe. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

January 30, 2012, 01:26 PM	#9
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	Every .223 rem I have loaded for, (bolt action, and a few AR rifles.) Have shot very well with 25.0 grains of H-335, using whichever Small Rifle primer I could get at the time I bought them. The load will shoot better than most people (myslef included) can milk out of it. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

January 30, 2012, 06:49 PM	#10
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Decapp, QuickLOAD shows that the Hodgdon maximum load of 25.3 grains getting 3203 fps at 70°F, will run 2900 fps from your 16" tube. That's at the default 70°. It shows it will run about 3000 psi lower pressure and about 2839 fps from your gun at 35°F. At 80° the pressure goes up 1000 psi, and velocity goes to 1218 fps. It's just an estimate, but should give you some idea. Will this affect accuracy? It could be enough to move you off a sweet spot. A good rule of thumb is to work up loads in 2% increments when testing for pressure. That would be 0.5 grain steps. If you are working to find accuracy sweet spots, Dan Newberry recommends 0.7% to 1%. That's going to be just 0.2 grains. Bigger steps could skip over a sweet spot. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

January 29, 2012, 09:17 AM	#2
amathis Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2009 Location: Champlain Valley, Vermont Posts: 161	Typically when there is a discrepancy between manuals, I go with the lower number. It is always safe to be safer. Start low and work up watching for pressure signs. They will be a little harder to see in a semi-auto, but with some close attention you should be able to see it. Don't be so quick to jump up in 1 Gr. increments. Think more along the lines of .5 gr. and if you notice the group close up then open back up odds are you've passed the sweet spot. Take the 2 tightest groups and start at the lower grained load and work up in .1 or .2 gr. increments. One other thing you may want to watch for is the max length in your mag. I loaded some test rounds for my DPMS yesterday and was within .100 of an inch from being longer than my mag. Welcome to TFL. Hope you stick around and we can learn more together.

January 29, 2012, 09:38 AM	#3
FatWhiteMan Member Join Date: June 10, 2007 Location: Appalachia Posts: 96	My 55gr load is 25gr H335 and I have had no problems with it in a 1:9 16" Bushmaster with IMI FMJ. Hodgdon says 25.3 is max on their online guide for one bullet and 22.8 for another, both the same weight. It sure doesn't hurt to start in the basement and work up. 55 GR. SFIRE Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.220" 21.4 2969 47,000 PSI 22.8 3099 51,800 PSI 55 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H335 .224" 2.200" 23.0 3018 40,800 CUP 25.3 3203 49,300 CUP

January 29, 2012, 11:10 AM	#5
decapp Junior Member Join Date: January 19, 2012 Posts: 4	Thanks for your help...I wil go up in .5 gr measures like you suggested. well off to the basement to get this started.

January 30, 2012, 02:44 AM	#6
decapp Junior Member Join Date: January 19, 2012 Posts: 4	ok- My next ? is this..... How will the tempature effect accuracy. I'm using H335 and the temp where I'm loading is around 65 degrees. Its about 10 degrees outside right now and planned on trying out my rnds when it gets to be above 35 degrees. If I find a load that works in my AR. will that same load work (for accuracy) when its say 80 degrees outside?

January 30, 2012, 02:54 AM	#7
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Double based powders are more temp sensative than single based. They will have more velocity as temp goes up.