Another newbie reloading question...or two

[Loki_762]

Okay, so there is two questions.  First, does anyone have any experience with the .223 and Hornady SXSP bullets in 55 grains?  I am looking for bullets to load for coyotes and rockchucks, and I am curious how well they work.  My second question has to do with powder.  A very common thing I have read about reloading is to start with 10% less powder than a maximum load and work your way up.  How small should the increments be as I am working up to the max load? Do I go up by a half grain at a time, or should it be less?  Thanks for any input.
Loki

[bigdaddytacp]

Okay, so there is two questions.  First, does anyone have any experience with the .223 and Hornady SXSP bullets in 55 grains?  I am looking for bullets to load for coyotes and rockchucks, and I am curious how well they work.  My second question has to do with powder.  A very common thing I have read about reloading is to start with 10% less powder than a maximum load and work your way up.  How small should the increments be as I am working up to the max load? Do I go up by a half grain at a time, or should it be less?  Thanks for any input.
Loki

I haven't used the sxsp bullets..just the VMax in 55 grain.....and as for the work up rate......it depends on the size of the load that the cartridge takes and for smaller cases such as the 223 a 1/2 grain would be good untill you get to the upper end-close to the max pressure signs in your chamber/gun/brass/load and conditions and then you can try fine tuning the load a couple of tenths but usually seating depth might make more difference in grouping that that .2 difference in powder in a 223 size cartridge........just keep good notes on the changes and only try one change at a time........enjoy the process and good luck and good shooting!!

[hogship]

Okay, so there is two questions.  First, does anyone have any experience with the .223 and Hornady SXSP bullets in 55 grains?  I am looking for bullets to load for coyotes and rockchucks, and I am curious how well they work.  My second question has to do with powder.  A very common thing I have read about reloading is to start with 10% less powder than a maximum load and work your way up.  How small should the increments be as I am working up to the max load? Do I go up by a half grain at a time, or should it be less?  Thanks for any input.
Loki

Loki.....It depends on how many different loads you want to test, how many shots per group, and how many cases you have to do it with.

For example, if you have 25 cases, and you intend to shoot 5-shot groups, you simply space out the powder increments equally between your minimum and maximum loads. Say, your minimum is 26gr, and max is 30gr, you can test five, 5-shot groups at 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30gr.

Once you've done that, you may want to test once more. Say your best group was at 29gr. You can then do it all over again spacing the increments equally between 28gr and 30gr......28.0, 28.5, 29.0, 29.5, 30.0gr.

That'll get you pretty darn close to your optimum powder weight for your rifle using that particular bullet at that seating depth, using that primer.

Depending on how you want to slice hairs, you can further test seating depths, primers, case prep methods, and so forth.....but for general shooting and hunting, the second testing of powders is ususlly good enough to find a decent load for most applications.

(Note that I usually begin experimenting with bullets seated to about .010-.020" ogive to lands, when I can. This is usually pretty close to the seat depth that produces the best accuracy for me.)

HS

[Iowegan]

Hornady SX (super explosive) bullets are a good choice for prairie dogs, rock chucks, and other small critters. For larger game like coyotes, the bullets tend to come apart to quick resulting in a wound instead of a kill.  They will also fragment if they hit a twig or bush.  I used to use them but switched to Nosler Ballistic Tips.

223 Rem is a very established caliber. There are many good powders and loads that seem to work well in about any gun. Unless your gun has a chamber problem, such as excessive headspace, free bore, or throat, you can't go too far wrong with the factory recommended velocity of 3240 fps for a 55 grain bullet.  You'll find factory velocities give the best overall performance with power and accuracy while maintaining safe chamber pressures.

I've become very fond of Varget. It is an "extreme" rated powder which means it will produce very uniform velocities across a wide range of temperatures. This is very important if you are shooting more that one round per minute. Your chamber heats up and transfers to the powder on your next round.  When powder heats up it will increase in chamber pressure and velocity.  

I load 26 grains of Varget with a WSR primer and a 55 gr Ballistic Tip. These loads run very close to factory specs and are very accurate. The load range is 25 to 27.5 grains, so you can start with 25 and work up in 1/2 grain increments.  Another nice thing about Varget in a 223 with a 55 gr bullet, you really can't over charge a case. You'll see that 27.5 gr barely fits in the case without spilling. Even the 25.5 is a compressed load, meaning the powder compresses when you seat the bullet.

When I work up loads, I always stay within the recommended powder charges. I usually start at the lowest tested charge and work up in 1/2 grain increments. I load 5 rounds of each charge, all in the same brand of brass. I use a different container for each load with the charge written on the box. At the range, I shoot a 3 shot group and shoot two over the chronograph. I wait at least 5 minutes between shots so the powder temperature doesn't corrupt the results.  What you are looking for is the best velocity and best accuracy without going over pressure. Check each spent case for signs of excessive pressure. This will usually show up with harder than normal extraction or cratered primers. Case head separation is a bad sign. Always use new or once fired brass so you don't get fooled by the shiny ring where the head meets the case wall (head separation point).

Shoot your weakest loads first. If there's no high pressure signs, go on to your next highest load. If you see pressure signs, stop.  Take a note pad with you and document the results. I like to use a fresh target for each load so I know what the groups are doing. Good luck!!