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223 WC844 Load Data with Range Results
I finished my load workup for 223 using WC844. Thought I'd share the info for others considering a similar load.
Weapon
AR-15 Build with 24" Bushmaster Varminter barrel; 1-in-9 ROT
Load Details
1. Bullet - Wideners 62g FMJ-BT with cannelure (M855/SS109 equivalent)
2. Powder - WC844 - 5 10-round lots from 23.5g to 25.5g in 5g increments
3. Cases - mostly LC Nato trimmed to 1.750"
4. Primers - Win SR
5. Crimp - Lee Factory @ ~80%
6. COAL @ 2.255"
Load Work-Up & Velocity (FPS) @ 3-feet from muzzle
Lot-1, 23.5g, Min 2933, Avg 2951, Max 2969, Spread 36
Lot-2, 24.0g, Min 2940, Avg 2990, Max 3045, Spread 105
Lot-3, 24.5g, Min 3096, Avg 3111, Max 3134, Spread 38
Lot-4, 25.0g, Min 3090, Avg 3201, Max 3293, Spread 203
Lot-5, 25.5g, Min 3283, Avg 3305, Max 3338, Spread 56
General Analysis
Cases showed no signs of pressure issues, even on the 25.5g loads. Primers were not flattened and flowing. FPS spread was large on the #4 sub-lot probably due to case variances. Ogive seating contributed to COAL variances of +/- 0.003".
Shooting Conditions
I was not shooting at a range; went to the local NF and could only find a 100-yard area where there was a slight uphill slope. It was hot and sunny (high-90s) with a left-to-right estimated 5mph wind and gusts to 10mph.
WC844 MAX Work-Up
I worked up a MAX of 25.3g for WC844 by scowering all the load data I could find from this site, other sites, reloading books for H335, etc. Then tabulated the results in a spreadsheet and took the AVERAGE MAX from all of those tallies. The MAX MAX that I found from all of this "data" was from someone like me who actually did a workup, and was 26.1g for the same 62g bullet at an FPS of 3025 (so obviously a barrel shorter than 24"). My MAX is only 97% of that MAX MAX. This is why I think the 25.5g load is still "safe". One really helpful load-data source was this site ...
Accuracy
@ 100 yards. Results were not great, with the best 10-shot group @ a 5". My AR is a very accurate rifle. I am attributing the poor performance for these rounds to be more the shooting conditions and me than the loads. I was using a red-dot that was barely visible in the bright afternoon light, and it was really hot and I had sun-screen laced sweat flowing into my eyes. Couple that with my not so great eyes, and the conditions cited above, and I find these loads to be "acceptabe". And I am sure I could get better accuracy at a bench-rest at a range; which, BTW, I am planning to do.
Next Steps
I will focus in on the 24.5g to 25.0g loads and replicate these and at least 2 more inbetween, shooting from a bench rest to validate accuacy. I think if I can get 3100+ FPS and 2" or less groups then I'll be happy and I can finish off by loading up a couple thousand rounds with that mix.
Weapon
AR-15 Build with 24" Bushmaster Varminter barrel; 1-in-9 ROT
Load Details
1. Bullet - Wideners 62g FMJ-BT with cannelure (M855/SS109 equivalent)
2. Powder - WC844 - 5 10-round lots from 23.5g to 25.5g in 5g increments
3. Cases - mostly LC Nato trimmed to 1.750"
4. Primers - Win SR
5. Crimp - Lee Factory @ ~80%
6. COAL @ 2.255"
Load Work-Up & Velocity (FPS) @ 3-feet from muzzle
Lot-1, 23.5g, Min 2933, Avg 2951, Max 2969, Spread 36
Lot-2, 24.0g, Min 2940, Avg 2990, Max 3045, Spread 105
Lot-3, 24.5g, Min 3096, Avg 3111, Max 3134, Spread 38
Lot-4, 25.0g, Min 3090, Avg 3201, Max 3293, Spread 203
Lot-5, 25.5g, Min 3283, Avg 3305, Max 3338, Spread 56
General Analysis
Cases showed no signs of pressure issues, even on the 25.5g loads. Primers were not flattened and flowing. FPS spread was large on the #4 sub-lot probably due to case variances. Ogive seating contributed to COAL variances of +/- 0.003".
Shooting Conditions
I was not shooting at a range; went to the local NF and could only find a 100-yard area where there was a slight uphill slope. It was hot and sunny (high-90s) with a left-to-right estimated 5mph wind and gusts to 10mph.
WC844 MAX Work-Up
I worked up a MAX of 25.3g for WC844 by scowering all the load data I could find from this site, other sites, reloading books for H335, etc. Then tabulated the results in a spreadsheet and took the AVERAGE MAX from all of those tallies. The MAX MAX that I found from all of this "data" was from someone like me who actually did a workup, and was 26.1g for the same 62g bullet at an FPS of 3025 (so obviously a barrel shorter than 24"). My MAX is only 97% of that MAX MAX. This is why I think the 25.5g load is still "safe". One really helpful load-data source was this site ...
Accuracy
@ 100 yards. Results were not great, with the best 10-shot group @ a 5". My AR is a very accurate rifle. I am attributing the poor performance for these rounds to be more the shooting conditions and me than the loads. I was using a red-dot that was barely visible in the bright afternoon light, and it was really hot and I had sun-screen laced sweat flowing into my eyes. Couple that with my not so great eyes, and the conditions cited above, and I find these loads to be "acceptabe". And I am sure I could get better accuracy at a bench-rest at a range; which, BTW, I am planning to do.
Next Steps
I will focus in on the 24.5g to 25.0g loads and replicate these and at least 2 more inbetween, shooting from a bench rest to validate accuacy. I think if I can get 3100+ FPS and 2" or less groups then I'll be happy and I can finish off by loading up a couple thousand rounds with that mix.
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