.223 - Acceptable tolerances?

Lilswede1 · December 14, 2010, 03:11 PM

Using a Dillon 550b Progressive loader - loading .223 with 26 gr. of Accurate 2230 using a 50 gr Sierra Blitzking bullet.
I notice a variance of .002" + in my OAL using a LNL OAL tool.
My powder charge will vary from 25.9 gr. to 26.1 gr.
Just wondered if the more experienced reloaders out there find these vairances acceptable?
How anal should I get?

demigod · December 14, 2010, 04:14 PM

That sounds pretty good. I don't measure my rounds at all after getting the seating die set up. Bullets are seated off the ogive, not the tip. So it's natural that some variance in OAL will occur.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · December 14, 2010, 04:23 PM

I would be more worried about the powder charge discrepency. For all my target rounds, I trickle that last couple tenths of grains of powder. Your OAL discrepency s not that critical (and really your powder discrepency is not that critical either, but it may depend on the rifle). You may find that your barrels "sweet spot" may be at 25.9 grains and NOT at 26.1 grains. I have found accuracy differences in .3 grains, but never checked it in .2 grain increments. I may be completely wrong. It would be the first time!

Check this link out http://www.rifle-accuracy.com/harmonics.htm

P-990 · December 14, 2010, 06:15 PM

Sounds like everything is ticking along just fine. You will find that much OAL variation using premium match hollowpoint like Sierras and Hornadys, so that's a none issue.

Powder charge variation? You'll see as much shot-to-shot variation with every charge being EXACT as you get from .1 grain of increment in a .223. A .5gr change is worth about 40-fps, therefore you can extrapolate a .1gr variation being worth a whopping 8-fps. For reference, my Highpower match load with 69gr Noslers produced a SD of 30-fps last time I checked it, and it will shoot MOA out to 300 yards. If you drop the first-shot outlier it drops to a 10-fps standard deviation, with thrown charges. I refuse to trickle weigh charges, even for 600-yard ammo. And I use extruded powder (Varget and RL-15).

Just keep plugging along and shoot what you got!

medalguy · December 16, 2010, 02:56 AM

I agree. Those variances are not worth concern.

December 14, 2010, 03:11 PM	#1
Lilswede1 Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2008 Location: NW Wash State Posts: 216	.223 - Acceptable tolerances? Using a Dillon 550b Progressive loader - loading .223 with 26 gr. of Accurate 2230 using a 50 gr Sierra Blitzking bullet. I notice a variance of .002" + in my OAL using a LNL OAL tool. My powder charge will vary from 25.9 gr. to 26.1 gr. Just wondered if the more experienced reloaders out there find these vairances acceptable? How anal should I get?

December 14, 2010, 04:23 PM	#3
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	I would be more worried about the powder charge discrepency. For all my target rounds, I trickle that last couple tenths of grains of powder. Your OAL discrepency s not that critical (and really your powder discrepency is not that critical either, but it may depend on the rifle). You may find that your barrels "sweet spot" may be at 25.9 grains and NOT at 26.1 grains. I have found accuracy differences in .3 grains, but never checked it in .2 grain increments. I may be completely wrong. It would be the first time! Check this link out http://www.rifle-accuracy.com/harmonics.htm __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

December 14, 2010, 06:15 PM	#4
P-990 Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2002 Location: SWNH Posts: 1,331	Sounds like everything is ticking along just fine. You will find that much OAL variation using premium match hollowpoint like Sierras and Hornadys, so that's a none issue. Powder charge variation? You'll see as much shot-to-shot variation with every charge being EXACT as you get from .1 grain of increment in a .223. A .5gr change is worth about 40-fps, therefore you can extrapolate a .1gr variation being worth a whopping 8-fps. For reference, my Highpower match load with 69gr Noslers produced a SD of 30-fps last time I checked it, and it will shoot MOA out to 300 yards. If you drop the first-shot outlier it drops to a 10-fps standard deviation, with thrown charges. I refuse to trickle weigh charges, even for 600-yard ammo. And I use extruded powder (Varget and RL-15). Just keep plugging along and shoot what you got! __________________ NRA Master, Highpower Rifle, Across-the-Course NRA Expert, Highpower Rifle, Mid-Range Prone

December 14, 2010, 04:14 PM	#2
demigod Junior member Join Date: March 13, 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 1,129	That sounds pretty good. I don't measure my rounds at all after getting the seating die set up. Bullets are seated off the ogive, not the tip. So it's natural that some variance in OAL will occur.

December 16, 2010, 02:56 AM	#5
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,033	I agree. Those variances are not worth concern.