Question on compressed varget loads 223

[alexisjohnson]

Hey Guys,

So i started to reload some 62 grain barnes loads with varget for the 223. The barnes reloading chart says 23.5 min all the way to 25ish (i can't remember the exact number right now). i started to load several from the minimum, stepping up .5 grains as i went higher. Towards the higher weight...i could hear a crunching sound and so it appears that the powder was being compressed.

I wanted to dblcheck with everyone if this is normal (never experienced it before) and how much compression/crunching is allowed. COAL was 2.25

Thanks!

[incredablehefey]

I'm not a hundred percent sure on the exact load you're talking about but most reloading books will tell you if it's a compressed load or not.

[McGuiver]

Hey Guys,



So i started to reload some 62 grain barnes loads with varget for the 223. The barnes reloading chart says 23.5 min all the way to 25ish (i can't remember the exact number right now). i started to load several from the minimum, stepping up .5 grains as i went higher. Towards the higher weight...i could hear a crunching sound and so it appears that the powder was being compressed.



I wanted to dblcheck with everyone if this is normal (never experienced it before) and how much compression/crunching is allowed. COAL was 2.25



Thanks!

If you look at the load data, the little "c" next to the number shows a compressed load. Yes a little crunching.




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[alexisjohnson]

Awesome^...thank you

i noticed the C but the crunching was very unsettling so i thought it wouldn't hurt to ask

[Full Clip]

I know the calculations in the various books are well-defined and that C stands for compressed, but, yeah, I don't like that crunching sound either.

And I don't like the way Varget flows/meters in my Chargemaster, so I'll always pick TAC or BLC-2 over it...

[rsrocket1]

Crunching is pretty common especially with stick powders. Try covering the case mouth and shaking the loaded case. You'll find that the powder may settle quite a bit. That's what a drop tube is for. Some powders are so bulky that you have to do this to seat the bullet.

The crunching breaks such a small percentage of powder sticks that it won't affect the performance of the powder at all.

[highpower790]

A couple kernels crunched doest indicate a compressed load,if that was the case I've been doing it for a few years and few thousand rounds with 24.7 and 82gr projectile.

[LynnJr]

Use a long drop tube to better stack the powder and reduce the crunching.
The guys loading the heavy bullets like the 90 grain will actually split the seating stem in the Redding Competition seater die and Redding will no longer replace it for free as they know about the compression.

[five.five-six]

I'd stick with .223 brass, 5.56 brass has slightly less displacement and you may see some real pressure with that load.

[alexisjohnson]

^That's a great point brother. I've been using LC brass.. which i assume is 5.56 ..i'll test the 223 brass i have to see if it makes a difference.

[freonr22]

http://www.ar15barrels.com/data/223weights.xls

Depends on brand And year etc

[thmpr]

My reloads are compressed with great results.

[Air]

The crunch is fine on a Compressed Varget load. No worries.

That's why Varget is a great powder for 223, can't really hurt yourself with it.

[JackEllis]

I'd stick with .223 brass, 5.56 brass has slightly less displacement and you may see some real pressure with that load.

Watch for pressure signs as you fire the bigger charges. Based more on book learn in' than practical experience, I'm thinking you'll have a hard time running into pressure problems if you follow the recommended procedure of starting with 10% less than max loads and working up slowly to no more than max recommended load.

[AandO]

A couple kernels crunched doest indicate a compressed load,if that was the case I've been doing it for a few years and few thousand rounds with 24.7 and 82gr projectile.

I agree. For you and I the little c means crunchy not compressed.
.
Geez, I get crunch with 4064 all the time in 223 and 308