223 w/ H335 Question

scsov509 · February 11, 2008, 06:35 PM

I was given two boxes of Hornady 60 SP that I decided to load up w/ H335. After checking Speer #13, Lee, and Hodgdon data I loaded up test loads from 22.5-24 in half grain increments at 2.20" OAL. Then last night I'm wandering around in Cabelas and happened to pick up a Hornady manual (which I don't yet own) and notice that Hornady lists 22.9 as a max load in this combination.

I guess I'm just confused at how the data can be so vastly different in Hornady than in these other references. The round is for my 16" Rock River AR, and I thought it best to ask around before firing these off. Let me know if you have any experience with this powder/bullet combination.

rwilson452 · February 11, 2008, 08:46 PM

Is your AR chambered for 223 or 5.56? Wylde?
this data is from the Hodgdon web site. I would trust it. If your rifle is chambered for 5.56 it can handle more pressure than one in .223 anyway.

60 GR. HDY V-MAX 60 H335 .224" 2.250" 22.5 2910 43,700 CUP 24.0 3075 50,600 CUP

amamnn · February 14, 2008, 12:00 AM

Different bullet designs and jacket alloys affect the bearing surface and therefore friction between the bullet and the neck and barrel. Generally speaking, the bullet maker's data should be regarded as the most accurate.

Toolman · February 14, 2008, 08:58 PM

What twist barrel do you have? Generally speaking, faster twist barrels like heavier bullets.

Scorch · February 15, 2008, 01:46 AM

I think the last Hornady manual was written by their lawyers. Several under-max loads I have used for years are now overloads.

FatWhiteMan · February 15, 2008, 07:58 AM

I have to agree with Scorch on that. While I love Hornady's products including their manual, it does seem to err on the side of caution for a significant number of loads. I'm not advocating ignoring their published maximums but it wouldn't hurt to refer to multiple sources.

scsov509 · February 15, 2008, 07:48 PM

Thanks for all the thoughts. After checking into this a little further, I feel more than safe with my selected loads. My rifle is a Wylde chamber so that it can take more pressure than the standard 223. I've consulted a few other sources (Lyman, Nosler) and found that every other manual consistently lists higher data than Hornady.

To top it all off, on a hunch I picked up a box of 60 grain V-Max bullets to compare to the 60 grain SP since Hornady lists the same load data for both in their manual. The thing is however, that the V-Max is .12" longer than the SP, so that loading both at the same OAL as the Hornady manual shows results in the SP being seated .12" higher in the case than the V-Max. All of this in my mind means that the rounds I've now loaded have got to be more than within limits. Right now my hottest load is only .5 grain over what Hornady lists as max, but still well under the other references. So, I figure I'll shoot through them, checking for pressure signs of course as a precaution, and then proceed from there.

February 14, 2008, 12:00 AM	#3
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	Different bullet designs and jacket alloys affect the bearing surface and therefore friction between the bullet and the neck and barrel. Generally speaking, the bullet maker's data should be regarded as the most accurate. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal Last edited by amamnn; February 14, 2008 at 12:01 AM. Reason: mistakes

February 14, 2008, 08:58 PM	#4
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	What twist barrel do you have? Generally speaking, faster twist barrels like heavier bullets. __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

February 15, 2008, 01:46 AM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	I think the last Hornady manual was written by their lawyers. Several under-max loads I have used for years are now overloads. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 11, 2008, 06:35 PM	#1
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	223 w/ H335 Question I was given two boxes of Hornady 60 SP that I decided to load up w/ H335. After checking Speer #13, Lee, and Hodgdon data I loaded up test loads from 22.5-24 in half grain increments at 2.20" OAL. Then last night I'm wandering around in Cabelas and happened to pick up a Hornady manual (which I don't yet own) and notice that Hornady lists 22.9 as a max load in this combination. I guess I'm just confused at how the data can be so vastly different in Hornady than in these other references. The round is for my 16" Rock River AR, and I thought it best to ask around before firing these off. Let me know if you have any experience with this powder/bullet combination.

February 11, 2008, 08:46 PM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	Is your AR chambered for 223 or 5.56? Wylde? this data is from the Hodgdon web site. I would trust it. If your rifle is chambered for 5.56 it can handle more pressure than one in .223 anyway. 60 GR. HDY V-MAX 60 H335 .224" 2.250" 22.5 2910 43,700 CUP 24.0 3075 50,600 CUP

February 15, 2008, 07:58 AM	#6
FatWhiteMan Member Join Date: June 10, 2007 Location: Appalachia Posts: 96	I have to agree with Scorch on that. While I love Hornady's products including their manual, it does seem to err on the side of caution for a significant number of loads. I'm not advocating ignoring their published maximums but it wouldn't hurt to refer to multiple sources.

February 15, 2008, 07:48 PM	#7
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	Thanks for all the thoughts. After checking into this a little further, I feel more than safe with my selected loads. My rifle is a Wylde chamber so that it can take more pressure than the standard 223. I've consulted a few other sources (Lyman, Nosler) and found that every other manual consistently lists higher data than Hornady. To top it all off, on a hunch I picked up a box of 60 grain V-Max bullets to compare to the 60 grain SP since Hornady lists the same load data for both in their manual. The thing is however, that the V-Max is .12" longer than the SP, so that loading both at the same OAL as the Hornady manual shows results in the SP being seated .12" higher in the case than the V-Max. All of this in my mind means that the rounds I've now loaded have got to be more than within limits. Right now my hottest load is only .5 grain over what Hornady lists as max, but still well under the other references. So, I figure I'll shoot through them, checking for pressure signs of course as a precaution, and then proceed from there.