.223 recipe. I'm a newb trying different bullets

[USN CHIEF]

Give it a try with the IMR powder using the load data in the manual. The gun will not blow up as long as you don't exceed the max load. Maybe you will have better luck.

[4literranger485]

my only probelm is the load in the book is for a 55 grn standard bullet, and the ones i'm using are boat tails. maybe i can just find another boat tail 55 grainer to work my load off of.

[USN CHIEF]

my only probelm is the load in the book is for a 55 grn standard bullet, and the ones i'm using are boat tails. maybe i can just find another boat tail 55 grainer to work my load off of.

Yeah, the load book for the 55gr that I am using said that I needed a 55gr. jacketed SPT bullet, but I used 55rg FMJ and FMJBT bullets and they work perfect.

[Linus]

Try this...

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Also, you can use the load in your manual that's for a 55gr bullet, it doesn't have to be the exact bullet your using as long as its the same weight, just start off with the min load and work up.

[USN CHIEF]

Try this...

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Also, you can use the load in your manual that's for a 55gr bullet, it doesn't have to be the exact bullet your using as long as its the same weight, just start off with the min load and work up.

Yeah, that was my understanding from a few old farts at the range. They were nice enough to gather around me and they gave me some wise advice and did mentioned that to me about the bullets. That as long as they were the same caliber/grain I would be good to go.

[4literranger485]

Yeah, the load book for the 55gr that I am using said that I needed a 55gr. jacketed SPT bullet, but I used 55rg FMJ and FMJBT bullets and they work perfect.

Right on. Thanks guys! Now I just have to get out and shoot some factory ammo to get brass. I'm sure Chief knows where a lot of that stuff is too

[USN CHIEF]

Right on. Thanks guys! Now I just have to get out and shoot some factory ammo to get brass. I'm sure Chief knows where a lot of that stuff is too

Well, here is another thing on brass. Don't be shy when you go to the range to walk up to the shooters that you see shooting .223 or what ever caliber you are reloading and asking them if they are keeping their brass. The majority of people do not reload. Take advantage of that. that is how I have come across soo much .223 brass and all the other calibers that I reload.

[cleanguy46]

Well, here is another thing on brass. Don't be shy when you go to the range to walk up to the shooters that you see shooting .223 or what ever caliber you are reloading and asking them if they are keeping their brass. The majority of people do not reload. Take advantage of that. that is how I have come across soo much .223 brass and all the other calibers that I reload.

Roger that! I talked to a couple shooters last Sunday and they did not save their brass so I gladly cleaned it up for them!

[buffybuster]

I just bought some Hornady bullets: .224 22 CAL 55 GR FMJ BT W/C

Looking for some load data on these and can't find it anywhere. I'm not sure if this is even proper to ask here, so if i'm out of line please just delete my post :

Thanks in advance gentlemen!

Returning to the OP:

IMR4198 or H4198 are not the best powders for use in an AR for .223Rem/5.56 loads. There was a thread recently about "short stroking issue" regarding this exact combination. The 4198 powders are a bit too fast for the AR DI system.

I have used 4198 successfully in my AR's but you have to run the loads right up near MAX for the action to cycle and even then it's relatively sluggish. 4198 works fine in a Mini14 and of course in a bolt action. Velocity with a 55fmj from a 16" barrel was just over 3000fps.

[Jicko]

Well thank you for asking.

3340 FPS.

3340!?!?!?!?!

That sounded WAY too hot!

What barrel? 24"??

Sierra shows 2800fps(probably low), but 3340fps seems to be too far off

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

[Jicko]

RE: IMR4198

I found it to be temp-sensitive too.

The issue I was getting is that it didn't *RELIABLY* cycle my 14.5" carbine.

This past wkend, I tested a bunch, they mostly cycle fine (but I KNOW that it is marginal, since the bolt won't lock back when the magazine is empty)

But these same rounds didn't work when I did a night shoot, when the temp is lower.

Personally, I will NOT want a batch of ammo to be THIS unreliable.... so, IMO, don't use 4198 for this application if you can.

[USN CHIEF]

3340!?!?!?!?!

That sounded WAY too hot!

What barrel? 24"??

Sierra shows 2800fps(probably low), but 3340fps seems to be too far off
http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

Jicko, that is what the old guy told me what the velocity was. Not sure if he said 3340 or 2665. I am leaning more toward 2665. I see what you mean about that being too hot if it was 3340. It was on my Bushmaster 14.5 Barrel.

[Jicko]

Jicko, that is what the old guy told me what the velocity was. Not sure if he said 3340 or 2665. I am leaning more toward 2665. I see what you mean about that being too hot if it was 3340. It was on my Bushmaster 16" Barrel.

2665 sounds a lot more reasonable! Sierra probably tested their with a 20" rifle.

I wanted to use Varget, but I am not digging the MV.... I am now looking for another recipe for my 55gr'ers.... now that I've picked up 5k brass from the MD gig.

What I generally do when chrono'ing is to put some "known, good, stable" rounds thru the chrono as a reference. I generally use Federal/LC XM193, I found them to be super tight, so I usually will put 5 rounds of those thru the chrono everyday when I am out chrono'ing. It has served as a good benchmark for me.... just looking at that day's XM193 MV, I can correlate that with my data from other days.... also acts as a sanity check for my chrono...

[pdq_wizzard]

One Book / One Caliber says for that bullet and IMR 4198

FPS 2800 /17.4gr FPS 2900 /18.2gr 3000 /19.1gr 3100 /20.0gr (they show this as max)


I have used 21.5 but this is above what this book says, I would start at ~19gr and go from there. I start by loading ~ 10 rounds or less per load and see how they work.

I just checked my 7th edition Hornady Handbook and it has the same data.

[USN CHIEF]

One Book / One Caliber says for that bullet and IMR 4198

FPS 2800 /17.4gr FPS 2900 /18.2gr 3000 /19.1gr 3100 /20.0gr (they show this as max)


I have used 21.5 but this is above what this book says, I would start at ~19gr and go from there. I start by loading ~ 10 rounds or less per load and see how they work.

I just checked my 7th edition Hornady Handbook and it has the same data.

Well, for some reason AR's are not liking it. Like many other have mentioned it, maybe it works great with Bolt Action Guns or Mini 14's.