Crunching powder - new reloader

[hardlyworking]

A) I'm new to reloading
B) I understand this is a dangerous question

Background info
Recently purchased some of the new Sierra TIPPED Match King (TMK) 223, 77gr for stretching out the capabilities of my 20" ARP barrel.

Powder availability being what it is, the best/only powder I have suitable for heavy 223 is Accurate 2495, reported to act similar to 4895 (IMR/Hodgdon I'm not sure). According to Accurate, its good for "NRA High Power shooting disciplines, as well as heavy bullet 223 Rem target applications".

Now, the TMK bullet is new enough that there isn't any load data printed on Accurate's sight for this round. And Sierra doesn't appear to have any load data at all on their site.

So the best option I've come up with is to use the non-tipped 77gr SMK load data for this powder which lists:
Starting: 20.0gr velocity 2,526
Max: 22.2 2,785 pressure 54,364
OAL 2.260 (mag length)

Actual question:
When loading up a 3-shot ladder using admittedly the wrong (but idential weight) bullet's load data using 0.5gr charge jumps I found the following:
20.0gr - seated fine
20.5gr - seated fine
21.0gr - started to hear crunching
21.5gr - more crunching
22.0gr - most crunching

I stopped at 22.0 because 22.2 was listed as max for the 77SMK and honestly the crunching was freaking me out. Since its an AR it is designed for 5.56 pressures (60K), but I don't know enough to know if I should be worried about the crunching of the powder.

Any of you have guidance?

ETA: If I shake the cartridges I can still hear the powder rattling around in all loaded rounds if that helps

[highpower790]

Powder crunching is not a big deal unless the case somehow forms a bulge.USe a book,work up a load as it appears your doing.
LAst week I used the 77tmk seated mag length with 24.5gr of Varget.Yes there was some powder crunching,but not a big deal accurate load that I have been using for a good number of years now.
From powder Valley or Wideners IMR4895 is listed in stock.This powder tested last year in case I could not get Varget.IMR4895 proved to be very good with accuracy and velocity matching my Varget load .
You know the weight of a bullet at 77gr,regardless of it being a tmk or smk it doesn't matter,use load data available.THe only thing to be concerned about would be if using all copper bullets.Here they are less dense than lead making for a much longer bullet.

[J-cat]

It's not a big deal but you'll mangle the bullet while trying to seat it against the resistance of the powder.

A better alternative is to use ball powder because it takes up less room in the case and gives you that extra room for a longer bullet.

[highpower790]

Be carefull when using ball power.It is my experience that ball powder is temp sensitive.Meaning that if you shoot ,lets say early morning when its cool(small group) out,then go to a match where its hot ,Im will to bet the groups will be larger which will not be good for score at end of a match day.
The 100yd plinker can get away with using ball powder ,but the nra highpower shouldn't trust it....my.02!

[J-cat]

So are all AA extruded powders.

[kcheung2]

You see how on some load tables, they mention a compressed load. That what it means.

[JMP]

In the two most common cartridges, .223 and .308, relative to caliber, they do not have very much capacity. Thus, you almost always have a compressed load if you want velocity. A better way to get more velocity is to simply add a few inches to your barrel. That said, generally what works for me is an appropriate stick powder that is a bit compressed. You will find that stick powders tend to have a more uniform load, but that isn't to say you can't use a spherical. I will use stick powders exclusively for precision, but I will use sphericals in my progressive press as they are infinitely better for throwing consistent volume based weights.

Of course, I don't create a load based on compression, it's just that is what tends to work best in those cartridges for me when using an extruded.

With all that said, this is the reason you work UP a load, and you don't work DOWN a load for conservatism. It isn't a problem, just start from the low end and work up.

[hardlyworking]

Thank you so much gang! This is great news and yes, I'll definitely work from the low end up and look for flattened/cratered primers, ejector swipes etc. as I move up to the compressed ones.

[LynnJr]

If your crunching powder keep an eye on your seating depth. You might find your rounds getting longer with time.
You can use a 6-8 inch drop tube on your powder tunnel to get more powder into the case with less crunching.