I'm just getting into reloading and am working up loads for 5.56 nato using H335 and a 62 grain bullet. I've reached the maximum charge shown in the Hornady manual, but the velocity is 200 fps below that shown in the manual. Is there something I'm missing? I spoke to someone who said the Hornady manual was super conservative, but that doesn't seem like it would explain why my velocity is so low at the maximum charge weight.
Maximum powder charge for 5.56
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Ikarus1
Avtomat Krishna-kov
velocity in manuals is usually from a 24" fixed single shot test barrel. You won't get that in a 16, 18, or 20 inch semiauto gas operated AR.
Be careful at maximum or near, ask me how I know this.
Be careful at maximum or near, ask me how I know this.
OP
My barrel is the same length and twist as the one in Hornady. I don't expect for my results to match theirs, but being off by 200 fps seems excessive. The fact that I'm low is what really has me stumped.
A lot of variables will go into what Hornady shows and your results. As mentioned above, the barrel length is one and a big one. Other variables will include the difference in elevation, temperature, seating depth, primer used, powder/primer lot numbers, etc. 200 fps less is what, 10% or less than what they show? Don't sweat it.
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This is exactly why I refer to as many sources for load data as I can. I have found the Hornady data in many (not all) cases to be conservative. I have gone slightly above the Hornady data before, but only after I became comfortable reading pressure signs.
Screw the 200 fps, what's the accuracy like?? Doesn't matter how fast it's going if you miss the side of the barn..
Like BB said, focus on the accuracy rather than trying to match velocity. I promise whatever you're shooting won't notice the 200fps but I will notice whether the shots are accurate or not.
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Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
I also utilize several sources for load data prior to load testing. Maximum loading verses accuracy, I'll take accuracy any day over maximum. Less wear and tear on the gun, brass, and body, especially if you have a major malfunction. Eyesight and fingers are items I'm kind of attached too.
This guy reloads the way I was taught. Chase accuracy. Not book speed.
If you're tuning a long range round on max charge weight and velocity out at 1000 meters, that's a different [pandora's box] subject. For 223/5.56, find the node and tune from there.
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I’m not sure about H335 I run Varget in my handloads and for max loads I’d be running compressed. Are you running the same seating depth as Hornady does in the manual? That will have an effect on pressure and velocity.
I also think that the more you use the brass the slower the bullets will go.
I tried to chromo some 223s last weekend and the few that registered were 15% below what the manual said. Now it was 50 degrees.
I tried to chromo some 223s last weekend and the few that registered were 15% below what the manual said. Now it was 50 degrees.
OP
Yes - I tried them first at the Hornady manual COAL of 2.229". I then loaded up another batch and increased the COAL to 2.250". There was no significant difference in velocity between the two different COAL's.
Say what?? You're kidding right?? And you do know that some powders are more temp sensitive than others, right?? What you drinking Willis??
YES, I did know about temps making a difference in velocity but I can not believe that a difference in 20 to 30 degress would have a 223 round traveling around 2500 ft/sec when the Hornady manual says it should be traveling around 2900 ft/sec. These were just plinking around loads so I did not trickle them. The charges could have varied by .2 of a grn.
The best analogy I can give is skeet and trap shooters that shoot all over the country. They'll use one powder when they know the temps will be about 65 or less and another more consistent powder when temps are above 65 or 70 since the best paying tournaments tend to take place during warmer weather.
Don't worry about what the book says about velocity, there are too many variables that can induce the difference...
Big +1 for everybody pushing accuracy. Speed isn't everything and it's very rare you'll match the book unless you duplicate ALL of the conditions under which they achieved that velocity. And yes, temps can dramatically affect velocity and pressure as can seating depth, leade condition, throat erosion, bullet material, primer batch, primer mfg, primer seating depth, flash hole dia, case neck tension, mixed lot of brass, and so on and so on.
Again, work for accuracy. A warp speed miss is still a miss.
Again, work for accuracy. A warp speed miss is still a miss.
Ikarus1
Avtomat Krishna-kov
.223 is so stinking easy to load, it is literally like a no-brainer if you are familiar with handloading for rifles. The hardest part about it is seeing into the case to make sure a charge is there. And handling those tiny little projectiles, particularly if they are flat-based ones.
So this is what I do: I use H335 or WC844 type powders for plinking and general 55gr silliness, and I use H4895 extruded powder for everything else. Those 2 powders do everything I need in .223/5.56
The H4895 is not nearly as temp sensitive, and works well in 64gr and heavier bullet weighs. Sure it meters like coal but I am HANDLOADING not production those types of rounds.
So this is what I do: I use H335 or WC844 type powders for plinking and general 55gr silliness, and I use H4895 extruded powder for everything else. Those 2 powders do everything I need in .223/5.56
The H4895 is not nearly as temp sensitive, and works well in 64gr and heavier bullet weighs. Sure it meters like coal but I am HANDLOADING not production those types of rounds.
I've had pretty good results with CFE223. Rounds for plinking loaded on the Dillon are very capable of moa and stuff I've loaded on my precision stuff shoots sub moa. Neither load is near max load. Actually, more like about 90% of listed max.
If you reload for a while and keep records, you'll find best accuracy is rarely at max loads and accuracy happens for any given powder bullet combo in clusters. For example, my 45/70 likes 3031 and 400gr Speer. Two loads will yield equal accuracy. Only difference is velocity and by extension, powder consumption and shoulder wear n tear.
If you reload for a while and keep records, you'll find best accuracy is rarely at max loads and accuracy happens for any given powder bullet combo in clusters. For example, my 45/70 likes 3031 and 400gr Speer. Two loads will yield equal accuracy. Only difference is velocity and by extension, powder consumption and shoulder wear n tear.