Max Load & Pushing the Limits

[curisu]

Hey there,

I've worked up a load ladder for Varget in my AR/varminter from the Hodgson's minimum recommended load of 23.4gr all the way to the max load of 26.0gr.

I have identified a few loads that group well in the low/mid range, and interestingly enough, my tightest group was at max load. I've only chrono'd the lower half or so, so I actually have no idea what my velocity is at the 25gr+ loads .

I've saved the brass from 25gr+ test shoot. There is no primer flattening, no puncturing, and the brass is in reloadable shape (no stretch rings at the head, no stress fractures, no splits). The only change i made loading the hotter rounds (25.8, 25.9, 26.0) is to switch from CCI #41 to Winchester Benchrest 7 1/2 primers.

Hodgson's show max for .223 as "26.0+". I'm not clear as to what the "+" means.

My plan is to push the max a little - maybe as high as 0.2gr.

My question right now is - is it safe/adviseable to push the max load a bit?

Thanks!

[shooterbill]

Without any pressure signs, you should be ok with .2gr more. Do you have room in the cases? You shouldn't switch any components with the loads you've worked up. Hodgdon says Varget is usually the most accurate with max or near max loads. I have had the best groups with that info.

[17+1]

If it's Varget, the "+" probably means compressed?

You're not likely to blow yourself up with Varget, mainly because you can't fit enough in the case. The main thing to watch out for would be hot weather. Contrary to what The Internet says about Varget being temp. stable, my mild weather 80 gr. SMK Varget load was WAY too hot in the 105 degree match I shot over the summer.

[gau17]

You should be ok. Keep looking for signs. What bullet are you using? you must be compressing the powder with 26.0 right? Keep in mind hot loads might push you over the edge during hot weather.

Disclosure: I am no expert. Proceed with caution.

[gau17]

17 + 1 you beat me to it by 1 minute.

[SixPointEight]

26.0+ does not mean, more than 26.0. It means compressed. I'm pretty sure there's a legend that shows what that means at like, the bottom of the page.

[Cowboy T]

+1 to JT1989 and 17+1. That's a compressed load. It's unlikely you'll even be able to physically fit more powder in there, and even if you could...why? Do you have pressure test barrels to verify that your load is safe?

Dude, it ain't worth it. Find your accuracy node and stick with it. Typically that's going to be a mid-range load. Be safe.

[Quinc]

+1 to JT1989 and 17+1. That's a compressed load. It's unlikely you'll even be able to physically fit more powder in there, and even if you could...why? Do you have pressure test barrels to verify that your load is safe?

Dude, it ain't worth it. Find your accuracy node and stick with it. Typically that's going to be a mid-range load. Be safe.

Sounds like something some un-American liberal would say. Do you think we would have cars that could go 200+ mph if people stopped after they hit 15mph. I say go for it!

[Cowboy T]

Sounds like something some un-American liberal would say. Do you think we would have cars that could go 200+ mph if people stopped after they hit 15mph. I say go for it!

I really hope you're just messin' around and aren't actually serious with that....

[Horton Fenty]

+1 to JT1989 and 17+1. That's a compressed load. It's unlikely you'll even be able to physically fit more powder in there, and even if you could...why? Do you have pressure test barrels to verify that your load is safe?

Dude, it ain't worth it. Find your accuracy node and stick with it. Typically that's going to be a mid-range load. Be safe.

Agree.

[Chief-7700]

+1 to JT1989 and 17+1. That's a compressed load. It's unlikely you'll even be able to physically fit more powder in there, and even if you could...why? Do you have pressure test barrels to verify that your load is safe?

Dude, it ain't worth it. Find your accuracy node and stick with it. Typically that's going to be a mid-range load. Be safe.

I agree with Cowboy..

[the86d]

I have dropped 27gr of Varget behind 55gr and 62gr projectiles, w/ no overpressure signs... even with CCI #41 primers. I have picked up factory brass (crimped primer) with what seems to be the eqiv. of XM855 with overpressure signs from others who didn't want it.

My lot of Varget has been pretty safe in .223/5.56 working my way to the top of the cartridge, compressed shot from my 5.56 NATO barrel (and it doesn't seem to have as much recoil as XM855 [XM855 seems to have the same punch that I remember from M855-Actual], but I have been working up to where I am at [note I have been working up, so I may have not noticed the recoil increase as it would have been gradual) with no overpressure signs or popped-out primers.

My worry is that if I ever get a different powder, that I will forget to start with a mid-load because I am used to filling the case all the way up(-ish).

I wouldn't drop 27gr of Varget in a .223 chamber from what I have read here (not a .223 chamber, but might on a .223 Wylde chamber).

Work your way up slowly, and check for overpressure signs for safety-sake, and your Varget LOT might be different than mine, or his, or hers...

(I am no expert, just stating what I have done... with guidance from many of these ninjas.)