How does the pressure look?

[boyguan]

I did my first reloads today

223 coal 2.25 berry bullets 55 grn. General range brass

Group from left to right with varget.

25 grn
25.2 grn
25.4 grn

They look good to me. Cycles perfectly. I did not check grouping as I looked and backed away when I pulled the trigger. Varget did have much more kick than some factory Ammo I was use to shooting.

I believe I can go up to 28 grn max for this setup.

Thanks from the newbie reloader

[pacrat]

No signs of pressure.

Choot Em

[RiskyBusiness]

I did my first reloads today

223 coal 2.25 berry bullets 55 grn. General range brass

Group from left to right with varget.

25 grn
25.2 grn
25.4 grn

They look good to me. Cycles perfectly. I did not check grouping as I looked and backed away when I pulled the trigger. Varget did have much more kick than some factory Ammo I was use to shooting.

I believe I can go up to 28 grn max for this setup.

Thanks from the newbie reloader

how did you come up with coal of 2.250? just curious, still learning.

[boyguan]

It's the max that will fit into an ar magazine. It might be a tad lower but also what most of my factory ammo is

[divingin]

I believe I can go up to 28 grn max for this setup.

Do NOT simply jump to max based on no pressure signs for those loads.

While those show no pressure signs at 25gr, you want to work your way up and find where you *do* start seeing signs of pressure, and either run there or back of as you see prudent. You may get to the 28gr max, you may get beyond it. Don't be surprised if you don't get there at all. Your setup is different than the test setup used in your manual.

I'd suggest going up in .3 to .5 increments and looking closely for signs of pressure (bolt wipe, flow of brass into ejector and extractor recesses, flattened/cratered primers.)

[OpenSightsOnly]

With Varget and the 55 grain fodder, I'd stop at 25.5 grains.

[tamalpias]

per hodgdon's website you can go up to 27.5 grains of varget. The load data given today has been reduced due to liability issues so if the manufacturer states you can go up to 27.5 I don't see why not as long as you are shooting a modern firearm and are gradually increasing the charge and keeping an eye on over pressure signs. From my experience the most accurate charge is usually at around 90% of the max powder charge.

[TomReloaded]

I'm not sure if you can actually go overpressure in a NATO chamber with varget.

Somewhere close to 26.0 is the typical varget/55gr load.

[racinjason233]

you have some red stuff on some but not others...

ladder load a 3-5 grouping on a .3 grain increase and shoot until you see pressure signs while also testing for accuracy. develop the best load possible for each gun you own. plus it is challenging and more entertaining at the range and in the garage.

[kcheung2]

Are those projectiles plated or fmj? Don't think it's safe to push plated projectiles that fast.

[RiskyBusiness]

Are those projectiles plated or fmj? Don't think it's safe to push plated projectiles that fast.

I don't think they make plated rifle bullets for that reason.

Can someone explain pressure signs of flow of brass into ejector or extractor recess? I thought we were only looking for flattened primers and cracks/splits at the mouth.

[boyguan]

Cabela says fmj. I assume it's not plated. I'll test loads next time. Since I didn't blow myself up I think it will be more enjoyable

The red is the marker I used to mark what load each one is

I ran out of other colors

I won't go up if I don't have to to save $$. Just plinking rounds.

[RiskyBusiness]

Might want to go up a tad more. At least from my experience I've gotten promising results from 25.3 and 25.9. Still testing myself and haven't locked in a charge.

[BajaJames83]

Max isn't necessary going to be more accurate or faster....

[NorCalFocus]

Stop right where your at, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

Your using mixed brass, which for plinking loads is pretty normal. But different manufactures and different lots of brass can have different internal volume. The smaller the internal volume, the faster pressure rises. If you start working your way up to max pressure you may show signs on some brass but not others. That can be dangerous, and damaging to your bolt face.

Again for plinking loads just to blast away with there is no need to push the speed. If you want a load for longer shoots with more speed, then get one lot of brass and work up a load on those cases with a match style bullet.

25 grains with a 55 grain bullet is just about prefect for the loads you have. Leave it alone.