Author Topic: .223 loads  (Read 472 times)

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Offline reflexhunter

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.223 loads
« on: January 03, 2010, 05:14:15 PM »
I'm new to hand loading and tried some 223 loads. loaded 10 with 60gr V MAX bullets with H 322 powder and averaged 2671 FPS that was yesterday.Today I  loaded 10 more with 10 ( 1 )gr more powder and it dropped to 2560 FPS average ??? any ideas? both with the same crony and about the same weather, very cold in iowa

Online Graybeard

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Re: .223 loads
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2010, 05:38:13 PM »
Whoa there fellow. STOP what you are doing rat now and go back and read some reloading manuals. IF you have any of either batch left DO NOT FIRE THEM. There is no way Jose that you can use a load with ten grains difference in powder and both of them be safe. One or both are dangerous loads.

Go slow and jumping ten grains is not only not slow its suicidal.


Bill aka the Graybeard
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I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

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Offline Dand

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Re: .223 loads
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2010, 05:46:50 PM »
HOW much more powder did you put in?  Looking at Hodgdon's data site a max load of H322 for this bullet is 23.5 gr.  

Did you keep the overall length the same? Did the shells sit out in the cold longer for the second test?  Are your chrony screens set the very same every time - some models  the operator has to set up screens and it can be different each time by a little bit (like my old Ohler). Did you clean your barrel between tests? Was the bore oiled? How cold were the batteries in the chrony on each day? Was the first screen exactly the same distance from the muzzle each day? Were you using the same lot of brass from same maker?

I have done chrongraphing down to 0 or even colder - not any more as its no fun.  I had my chrono set up in a box that is insulated from the cold, &/or put a hand warmer in the box to try to keep it from getting too cold. I try to keep the shells inside my coat until placed in the gun to shoot.  But even so there can be some variation depending on if the gun has gotten real cold or is warm/hot from shooting, fouled from shooting or gooped up from cold stiff oil in the bore.

Lots of places for variability to come into the picture.

And that is all ASSUMING you really only raised your load by 1 grain not 10. It appears that currently made H322 is one of the extreme powders and should be relatively lightly affected by cold temps. Is your powder new or could it be old pre extreme stock?  I don't know much about this powder so can't speak to its performance.  I have seen considerable differences in performance over different temps with some older 4831 and 4350, possibly 4895 but I don't think it was 100 fs or a decline with increased powder.

Lots of questions that might help you home in on some sources of variability.
Hope this helps a little but I sure can't answer you more precisely.
Maybe more experienced folks will chime in.
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Offline reflexhunter

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Re: .223 loads
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2010, 05:47:45 PM »
sorry ONE grain not ten. read both hornady and hodgon and I'm not close to a max load yet. Started with 20gr and went to 21gr. same temp bullets, gun, everything. My F1 crony was about 10ft today and about 14ft yesterday. didnt think that would make a difference. Wieghted every charge of powder with digital scale and checked few with a bar type scale. OAL was the same with both loads, every bullet was checked. 

Online Graybeard

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Re: .223 loads
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2010, 06:45:35 PM »
I'm glad that was a typo not a reloading error. One grain when well below max as you say you are won't always show much on the chrono especially when readings are done on different days with different conditions and different spacing of your screens from gun.

Don't worry so much about velocity just find an accurate load.


Bill aka the Graybeard
President, Graybeard Outdoor Enterprises
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I am not a lawyer and do not give legal advice.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life!

Offline possum6

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Re: .223 loads
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2010, 11:29:28 PM »
got exciting there for a minute, reading the first post ;D
I believe everything that happen's, or will happen,was created, or created in the future, GOD knew and created from the very beginning of the foundation of the universe.       Dale

Offline shot1

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Re: .223 loads
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2010, 03:38:38 AM »
H322 is a bit too fast a burning power with 60 gr bullets. Get you some Varget, H335 or W748 and your velocity will increase without getting over pressure. Pay attention to the twist in your barrel also. You are on the ragged edge of being able to stabilize a 60 gr bullet in a 1 N 12 twist. A 1 N 9 twist would be great. The 1 N 12 twist will do really well with 50 to 55 gr bullets. 

Offline reflexhunter

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Re: .223 loads
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2010, 09:27:41 AM »
its a 1 in 9 twist handi rifle with a bull barrel. will keep trying. maybe try some other powder, or recrony the 2 diff loads on the same day. thanks for all the help.

Offline davem270win

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Re: .223 loads
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2010, 03:13:30 PM »
I use H-4895, but I have also had good results with TAC, Varget, and Benchmark, using 50 - 55 gr bullets. I use Federal match primers.