75 gr Hornady Loads

Raven223 · October 2, 2009, 01:41 PM

I have read many sites and I am preparing to begin reloading (with help from an experienced friend) and am trying to narrow down which powders I would like to try. I have three primary concerns:

(1) temperature (in)sensitivity and its effect on velocity. I have read that temp insensitive powders lose velocity in the cold. Is this true? for all powders? I live in a climate with four seasons and would like a powder that performs similarly in hot and cold weather (within reason, nothing has the exact same performance in extreme conditions).

(2) velocity. I would like to develop a load that will maintain at least 2250 fps out to 300 meters (330 yards).

(3) cleanliness. I would prefer a powder that can shoot more rounds before cleaning if possible.

(4) burn rate(?). I read some slower powders can shorten the life of a barrel and I would prefer to not burn up my barrel too soon.

I am shooting a 5.56 chambered rifle with a 1 in 8 twist rate. I will be shooting 75 gr Hornady OTM bullets with Win Sm Rifle primers and a variety of brass. The last two are what I have on hand as I begin to learn.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

QBall45 · October 2, 2009, 02:00 PM

I've had outstanding luck with RL 15 & 55gr fmj.
H335 is what use in my hunting loads. Consistant late summer through the dead of Minnesota winter.

BTW welcome to TFL. Your among friends here.

NWPilgrim · October 2, 2009, 02:28 PM

The best powders for top velocity with a 75 gr. bullet are usually Varget, IMR/H4895, IMR4064 and Reloader15. Varget and H4895 are a couple of Hodgdon's "Extreme" powders specifically made to reduce variability under extreme temperatures. You should be able to get 2800 fps out of a 20" barrel.

The 75 gr OTM has a ballistic coefficient of 0.395.
Assuming a 20" barrel and muzzle velocity of 2800fps, at 300 yds you will have about 2130fps.

To achieve 2250fps at 300 yds with the 75 gr OTM, you would need a muzzle velocity of about 2950fps. The best you can do is maybe 2900fps with max loads of Varget or H4895 http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp. Do NOT start with max loads. Start lower and try that out.

The small .223 bullets shed velocity very quickly. If you have a 16" barrel you can subtract 150-200fps from these stated here.

Why the need for 2250fps at 300 yds?

ETA: If you need 2250 at 300 yds, then you need a longer barrel. No max loads that I can find in 55 gr - 75 gr have enough initial velocity to retain 2250fps at 300 yds from a 20" barrel.

Raven223 · October 2, 2009, 02:51 PM

NWPilgrim said:

"The best powders for top velocity with a 75 gr. bullet are usually Varget, IMR/H4895, IMR4064 and Reloader15. Varget and H4895 are a couple of Hodgdon's "Extreme" powders specifically made to reduce variability under extreme temperatures. You should be able to get 2800 fps out of a 20" barrel."

I have also heard that RL15 is extremely similar to Varget. Is RL15 also a stick powder like Varget?

NWPilgrim · October 2, 2009, 03:13 PM

Re15 is very close to Varget and should give similar velocities. I have not used it personally so I don't know if it is a ball or stick powder. However, one study I read about temperature effects on powder showed some variability with Re15 (maybe a 100fps difference form -20 - 120F) which is slightly more than Varget.

I don't think the OP is likely to see any difference between H4895, Varget or Re15. I shoot mainly Varget in .223.

QBall45 · October 2, 2009, 03:25 PM

RL 7, RL 10x, RL 15 all are stick type powders.

One thing I noticed is that max loads for 55gr bullets ya have to compress the charge.

Using RL 15 you'll end up compressing the charge at about 26-26.5gr. Am not sure what charge will be needed for 75gr otm's.

Raven223 · October 2, 2009, 05:44 PM

NWPilgrim stated,

"I shoot mainly Varget in .223."

Do you end up having to compress the loads or is it possible (if feasible) to load near the maximum recommended loads (assuming the rifle allows) without compressing the load? I am cautious enough to build up the load slowly and not want to over pressurize the chamber.

NWPilgrim · October 2, 2009, 06:05 PM

A maximum load of Varget often requires slight compression, which has nothing to do with chamber pressures.

However, I normally load about 1.0 grains below max, and that is usually just below the seated bullet or very slight compression.

Raven223 · October 2, 2009, 07:13 PM

Thanks for your insight and information, especially you NWPilgrim. I will be around.

October 2, 2009, 01:41 PM	#1
Raven223 Junior Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Posts: 4	75 gr Hornady Loads I have read many sites and I am preparing to begin reloading (with help from an experienced friend) and am trying to narrow down which powders I would like to try. I have three primary concerns: (1) temperature (in)sensitivity and its effect on velocity. I have read that temp insensitive powders lose velocity in the cold. Is this true? for all powders? I live in a climate with four seasons and would like a powder that performs similarly in hot and cold weather (within reason, nothing has the exact same performance in extreme conditions). (2) velocity. I would like to develop a load that will maintain at least 2250 fps out to 300 meters (330 yards). (3) cleanliness. I would prefer a powder that can shoot more rounds before cleaning if possible. (4) burn rate(?). I read some slower powders can shorten the life of a barrel and I would prefer to not burn up my barrel too soon. I am shooting a 5.56 chambered rifle with a 1 in 8 twist rate. I will be shooting 75 gr Hornady OTM bullets with Win Sm Rifle primers and a variety of brass. The last two are what I have on hand as I begin to learn. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

October 2, 2009, 02:28 PM	#3
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	The best powders for top velocity with a 75 gr. bullet are usually Varget, IMR/H4895, IMR4064 and Reloader15. Varget and H4895 are a couple of Hodgdon's "Extreme" powders specifically made to reduce variability under extreme temperatures. You should be able to get 2800 fps out of a 20" barrel. The 75 gr OTM has a ballistic coefficient of 0.395. Assuming a 20" barrel and muzzle velocity of 2800fps, at 300 yds you will have about 2130fps. To achieve 2250fps at 300 yds with the 75 gr OTM, you would need a muzzle velocity of about 2950fps. The best you can do is maybe 2900fps with max loads of Varget or H4895 http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp. Do NOT start with max loads. Start lower and try that out. The small .223 bullets shed velocity very quickly. If you have a 16" barrel you can subtract 150-200fps from these stated here. Why the need for 2250fps at 300 yds? ETA: If you need 2250 at 300 yds, then you need a longer barrel. No max loads that I can find in 55 gr - 75 gr have enough initial velocity to retain 2250fps at 300 yds from a 20" barrel. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison Last edited by NWPilgrim; October 2, 2009 at 02:37 PM.

October 2, 2009, 03:13 PM	#5
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	Re15 is very close to Varget and should give similar velocities. I have not used it personally so I don't know if it is a ball or stick powder. However, one study I read about temperature effects on powder showed some variability with Re15 (maybe a 100fps difference form -20 - 120F) which is slightly more than Varget. I don't think the OP is likely to see any difference between H4895, Varget or Re15. I shoot mainly Varget in .223. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

October 2, 2009, 06:05 PM	#8
NWPilgrim Senior Member Join Date: September 29, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,346	A maximum load of Varget often requires slight compression, which has nothing to do with chamber pressures. However, I normally load about 1.0 grains below max, and that is usually just below the seated bullet or very slight compression. __________________ "The ultimate authority ... resides in the people alone. ... The advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition." - James Madison

October 2, 2009, 02:00 PM	#2
QBall45 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: South Central Minnesota Posts: 584	I've had outstanding luck with RL 15 & 55gr fmj. H335 is what use in my hunting loads. Consistant late summer through the dead of Minnesota winter. BTW welcome to TFL. Your among friends here.

October 2, 2009, 02:51 PM	#4
Raven223 Junior Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Posts: 4	NWPilgrim said: "The best powders for top velocity with a 75 gr. bullet are usually Varget, IMR/H4895, IMR4064 and Reloader15. Varget and H4895 are a couple of Hodgdon's "Extreme" powders specifically made to reduce variability under extreme temperatures. You should be able to get 2800 fps out of a 20" barrel." I have also heard that RL15 is extremely similar to Varget. Is RL15 also a stick powder like Varget?

October 2, 2009, 03:25 PM	#6
QBall45 Senior Member Join Date: April 5, 2008 Location: South Central Minnesota Posts: 584	RL 7, RL 10x, RL 15 all are stick type powders. One thing I noticed is that max loads for 55gr bullets ya have to compress the charge. Using RL 15 you'll end up compressing the charge at about 26-26.5gr. Am not sure what charge will be needed for 75gr otm's.

October 2, 2009, 05:44 PM	#7
Raven223 Junior Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Posts: 4	NWPilgrim stated, "I shoot mainly Varget in .223." Do you end up having to compress the loads or is it possible (if feasible) to load near the maximum recommended loads (assuming the rifle allows) without compressing the load? I am cautious enough to build up the load slowly and not want to over pressurize the chamber.

October 2, 2009, 07:13 PM	#9
Raven223 Junior Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Posts: 4	Thanks for your insight and information, especially you NWPilgrim. I will be around.