Reasonable Results?

[15thaf5thbw]

I got 2927 FPS from the load below out of my 24" Varminter Rem 223 upper. Is this reasonable? Do you think I could squeeze 3000 out of maybe 25.0g?

M855 62g FMJ-BT AP (from Wideners)
24.7g RG-4895
Mixed 1x-fired cases (mostly LC Nato)
Win SR Primers
Very light crimp (taper, from RCBS seater die)
COAL 2.255"

24.0g produced FPS @ 2786
24.3g produced FPS @ 2849
24.5g produced FPS @ 2873

There were no signs of excessive pressure on the cases or primers. All loads performed fairly well as far as accuracy (the rifle shoots WAY better than I can shoot at 100yds with iron sights or my red dot ... eyes are going fast). Groups were about 2".

The ONLY issue I can think of with respect to going to loads with 24.8g, 24.9g or 25.0g is that 24.7g is already a compressed load. Maybe 25.0g won't fit.

[grant22]

Probably, but why? What is the importance of achieving 3k fps? Are you looking at your groups at each powder charge level?

[17+1]

M855 (SS109) bullets are pretty crappy for target shooting.

Save them for the zombies.

[15thaf5thbw]

Probably, but why? What is the importance of achieving 3k fps? Are you looking at your groups at each powder charge level?

Well, it's my goal to achieve as high a velocity as possible within the constraints of useful accuracy so as to maximize the kinetic energy the bullet effects upon the target. If I can achieve the same or better accuracy at 3000 FPS then I'd rather use that load.

And yes, I was comparing accuracy at the various load levels and in all truth the hottest load (24.7g 2927) was the most accurate.

The Hodgdon manual cites a 63g SIE SP out of a 24" barrel using 25.3g of IMR-4895 at an FPS of 3054. So I was using this as a loose benchmark. I've spent the last 2+ years loading a lot of 30-06 & 308 Win rounds using RG-4895 and it performs well. I've discovered that using IMR-4895 load data and carefully working up from 90% starting loads has been an effective method.

I'm sure there are some better powders for 223 than a 4895 type. But I have a lot of it and wanted to try it out. I'm happy with the 2927. I might just try 24.8g and be done with it.

Thanks for the feedback.