New .223 loads OAL ?

jdwilson0906 · February 24, 2011, 07:55 PM

Just worked up some new loads for the howa and shot amazing. Went in 1/2g increments from 24 to 26g and here is the load data and results.
Speer 52g bthp match #1036, benchmark, Rem 71/2 match primers, OAL 2.286 and pmc brass

24grs 2.115 24.5grs 2.457 25grs 1.267 25.5grs 1.447

and finally 26grs .553

I was shocked and didn't know that me nor the gun was capably of that. My main question is the bullets are .020 of the lands at this length and everybodys telling me to set the bullet back to max length so i measured the bullets today at max length and theres not even .224 of the bullet touching the case with the boat tail included in length. I loaded an empty sized case with these bullets at 2.286 and put a slight crimp on it with a lee crimp die just like the test loads and i cannot get the bullet pulled out or beat in any better or worse than a correct length shell. Am i safe to keep them this length? I have no pressure signs, they fit in the mag, and they shoot awesome.

Jim243 · February 24, 2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

24grs 2.115 24.5grs 2.457 25grs 1.267 25.5grs 1.447

Are those typos, I am sure you didn't use 1.267 or 1.447? Or are those your groups?

The book calls for a COL of 2.200 for that bullet so you maybe just a bit too far with a COL of 2.287. Most of my bolt rifles like a jump of 0.050 to lands so my suggestion would be to set the COL to 2.257, that should give you a bit more of the bullet in the case.

I would not crimp them (for a bolt gun) and make up a dummy round at 2.257, turn the bullet face down on a block of wood and see if you can push the bullet into the case with your thumb. If yes then crimp, if no then no crimp needed.

Jim

PA-Joe · February 25, 2011, 07:12 AM

You also have to check if the longer col will feed from the magazine. I have found the magazine to be the limiting factor.

IllinoisCoyoteHunter · February 25, 2011, 07:16 AM

Yup, you are fine.

4runnerman · February 25, 2011, 07:40 AM

Yes i agree you should be fine. I shoot 2 loads out of mine

60 gn V-Max-2.29 COL

75 A-Max- 2.475 COL

The 75 is a single load,but is very dead accurate at 300 yards and beyond.

February 25, 2011, 07:16 AM	#4
IllinoisCoyoteHunter Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 1,527	Yup, you are fine. __________________ ~~IllinoisCoyoteHunter~~ ~NRA LIFE MEMBER~ ~NRA CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR~

February 25, 2011, 07:40 AM	#5
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Yes i agree you should be fine. I shoot 2 loads out of mine 60 gn V-Max-2.29 COL 75 A-Max- 2.475 COL The 75 is a single load,but is very dead accurate at 300 yards and beyond. __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional

February 24, 2011, 07:55 PM	#1
jdwilson0906 Member Join Date: March 17, 2010 Posts: 18	New .223 loads OAL ? Just worked up some new loads for the howa and shot amazing. Went in 1/2g increments from 24 to 26g and here is the load data and results. Speer 52g bthp match #1036, benchmark, Rem 71/2 match primers, OAL 2.286 and pmc brass 24grs 2.115 24.5grs 2.457 25grs 1.267 25.5grs 1.447 and finally 26grs .553 I was shocked and didn't know that me nor the gun was capably of that. My main question is the bullets are .020 of the lands at this length and everybodys telling me to set the bullet back to max length so i measured the bullets today at max length and theres not even .224 of the bullet touching the case with the boat tail included in length. I loaded an empty sized case with these bullets at 2.286 and put a slight crimp on it with a lee crimp die just like the test loads and i cannot get the bullet pulled out or beat in any better or worse than a correct length shell. Am i safe to keep them this length? I have no pressure signs, they fit in the mag, and they shoot awesome.

February 25, 2011, 07:12 AM	#3
PA-Joe Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: NEPA Posts: 909	You also have to check if the longer col will feed from the magazine. I have found the magazine to be the limiting factor.