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Old November 28, 2012, 12:18 AM   #1
three-fifty-seven
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Low Velocity .223 Loads

Howdy guys,

I am looking for a .223 load that gives me velocities about 1800-2200 fps with a 55 grain bullet. All the load data I have found is either way too fast (3000 fps+) or extremely slow (titegroup loads @ 1100fps). I did find some load data with Bluedot that would meet my needs but all the data supplied was from online reloaders and I would prefer to use data from the powder companies.

The main reason why I want this load is because I want a .22 WMR/.22 Hornet out of .223 without me having to buy a gun chambered in either of those cartridges. Another reason is that I want something more powerful than my .22LR but not overkill for rabbits and grouse.

Thanks for the advice.
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Old November 28, 2012, 12:23 AM   #2
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Check out the older Alliant load data because they have loads like that using 2400. The .222 loads are closer to what you want than the .223 loads but 2400 loads down just fine anyway.

http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/default.html
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Old November 28, 2012, 12:41 AM   #3
three-fifty-seven
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Quote:
Check out the older Alliant load data because they have loads like that using 2400. The .222 loads are closer to what you want than the .223 loads but 2400 loads down just fine anyway.

http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/default.html
Okay, I just found some 2400 loads in the Alliant 2001 manual. But I am confused; how does the Silhouette load use 15.9grs of 2400 to get 2,430 fps while the regular load uses 14.0grs to get 2,685fps?
(both loads uses a 55 grain bullet)

http://www.castpics.net/LoadData/Fre.../Alliant01.pdf
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Old November 28, 2012, 02:57 PM   #4
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14 inch vs 24 inch test barrel would be my guess. Also remember with 2400 you don't need to use max load. 90%, 80%, 70%, all are going to work just fine because of the type of powder that 2400 is.
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Old November 28, 2012, 03:02 PM   #5
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light load .223 Rem

I use the RCBS 55 SP-GC with 7~8.0 grains of Unique..the lighter charge gives you 1,800 FPS Muzzle Velocity. I find you must seat long so that the bullet just engages the leade when chambered. This caliber with cast is quite finicky when it comes to accuracy. Also shoot the .22-250 with it and have had better luck.
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Old November 28, 2012, 03:39 PM   #6
Brian Pfleuger
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I'll have to check QuickLoad later but if I had to guess I'd say that IMR Trail Boss would be the perfect answer for you.
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Old November 28, 2012, 04:51 PM   #7
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Try looking at pistol loading for the .223.

I did some experimenting with 62 grain steel core GI pulls and had no problem getting down to 2100fps. (Found what I wanted, non stability through a 1 in 12 twist. And still cycled the action.)

Something similar with 55grain FMJs wouldn't eat up too much rabbit.

Safety first,

OSOK
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Old November 28, 2012, 05:27 PM   #8
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Funny you posted this - talk about timing. I just got off the phone with Hodgdon on this very subject. They stated you can safely reduce H4895 by using 60% of the max listed load for any load that is listed with that powder. I asked them because I accidentally bought some hornady 55 gr SPSX (like 300) and meant to buy 55 gr SP's W/C. The SPSX were blowing up before hitting the target. The bullet was designed for 1:12-1:14, not my 1:9. But I will still get to use them thanks to the info from Hodgdon. That puts a safe starting load for that bullet at 15.6 gr of H4895. Max load is 26 gr. I'm guessing that will put my velocity in the 1500-1800 fps range. Just a guess but probably close.
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Old November 28, 2012, 06:23 PM   #9
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Look up James Calhoons Gopher Loads.
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Old November 28, 2012, 06:26 PM   #10
three-fifty-seven
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Thanks for the advice guys. Also, I just sent Lyman an email asking if it is safe to use their lead bullet loading data for 55 grain bullets on jacket bullets.

Quote:
14inch vs 24 inch test barrel would be my guess. Also remember with 2400 you don't need to use max load. 90%, 80%, 70%, all are going to work just fine because of the type of powder that 2400 is.
Yep, that probably was it.

Quote:
Funny you posted this - talk about timing. I just got off the phone with Hodgdon on this very subject. They stated you can safely reduce H4895 by using 60% of the max listed load for any load that is listed with that powder. I asked them because I accidentally bought some hornady 55 gr SPSX (like 300) and meant to buy 55 gr SP's W/C. The SPSX were blowing up before hitting the target. The bullet was designed for 1:12-1:14, not my 1:9. But I will still get to use them thanks to the info from Hodgdon. That puts a safe starting load for that bullet at 15.6 gr of H4895. Max load is 26 gr. I'm guessing that will put my velocity in the 1500-1800 fps range. Just a guess but probably close.
Wow! That could be my ticket as I have a lot H4895 around my house. I am going to google this and see what I get.
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Old November 28, 2012, 09:27 PM   #11
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As I suspected, Trail Boss would be perfect for what you want to do.

It predicts that a 100% load would yield 1,938fps under a 55gr Hornady V-Max.
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Old November 28, 2012, 10:07 PM   #12
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Quote:
As I suspected, Trail Boss would be perfect for what you want to do.

It predicts that a 100% load would yield 1,938fps under a 55gr Hornady V-Max.
What would the weight be in grains?
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Old November 28, 2012, 10:15 PM   #13
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You can develop your load according to IMRs instructions:

http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf
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Old November 28, 2012, 10:44 PM   #14
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Quote:
You can develop your load according to IMRs instructions:

http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf
Thank you for the link. I will have to try this out with some H4895 loads as well.

Last edited by three-fifty-seven; November 28, 2012 at 10:50 PM.
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Old November 28, 2012, 10:53 PM   #15
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According to QL, your max load would be just under 8.0gr.

100% full cases are completely safe, just to the base of the seated bullet. DO NOT compress Trail Boss loads.
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Old November 28, 2012, 11:34 PM   #16
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I have used magnum pistol powders in 223 and 308 for subsonic and other reduced loads. The load data in the book is no good though, it is best to get a chronogrpah.

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Old November 29, 2012, 02:05 PM   #17
three-fifty-seven
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Unfortunately, I do not have a chronograph (yet ) so I will have to do some guesstimating.

Quote:
According to QL, your max load would be just under 8.0gr.

100% full cases are completely safe, just to the base of the seated bullet. DO NOT compress Trail Boss loads.
Thank you for that information as I am still a fairly green reloader and I am still figuring things out.

Last edited by three-fifty-seven; November 29, 2012 at 08:03 PM.
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Old November 30, 2012, 04:09 AM   #18
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~ 2003 I loaded up a couple thousand rounds of 13 gr Blue Dot and 60 gr tactical and police Hornady soft point bullets for my .223.
The surplus bullets cost me ~ 3 cents each.
I went ground squirrel hunting 500 miles from home.

I had no data and I had never shot a rifle round with Blue Dot.

I got ~ 2500 fps.

It was way better than the 17HMR I took with me, and cheaper.
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