Too Hot Of A Load?

[DrewtheDon707]

First off, I've been a lurker on this forum for a while and I want to thank all of those that contribute your info and knowledge it is truly invaluable.

So anyways I was loading up a batch of .223 with 55 grain fmjbt with 25 grains of IMR 8208 xbr and when I got done with my hundred rack I had enough powder left in the dropper for about 40 more rounds so i decided to load a handful of 62 grain a buddy had given me. So without changing my powder dropper I did so without thinking. Reason being I'm used to loading with IMR 4895 at 23.7 grains for 55gr fmjbt's and when my buddy has given me some 62's here and there in the past, I've just used the same load cause it crossed over well. (Had to make a momentary change recently as I ran out of 4895 and all I could find was two lbs of 8208 locally)But when all of this dawned on me after the fact I looked up max loads for 62grain bullets on imr's website for the 8208xbr powder its only 23.2 gr's at 53,000 psi. So at roughly 8% over the max recommended should I worry about pulling them or just say the hell with it and pull the trigger?

[TKM]

I wouldn't risk it.

[kmolles]

Personally, I'm a by the book kind of guy, so I would pull them, but if you have a firearm also chambered for 5.56, you MAY be ok...

[koehn,jim]

Dont risk it. You said it yourself you are over max by 8 percent. The problem is the pressure curve spikes up rapidly. The amount of damage could be signicant. Most of the maximum loaddss are called that for a reason.

[stphnman20]

I wouldn't do it. There's a reason why us reloaders work up a load.

[bruceflinch]

In an AR, I wouldn't shoot them.
In a bolt gun. I would.
Got a bullet puller? The collet type would let you pull 40 rounds in less than 10 minutes.

[csburtch]

There is a reason they publish the "Max loads" safety. Look at YouTube, there are a couple of videos of people's AR's blowing up. Not pretty. Just takem apart and adjust your powder. Easier than finding a new lower... Or nose...

[the86d]

There is a reason they publish the "Max loads" safety. Look at YouTube, there are a couple of videos of people's AR's blowing up. Not pretty. Just takem apart and adjust your powder. Easier than finding a new lower... Or nose...

This is from a squib just prior to the blow, right (no powder/low powder)? Or loaded with pistol/shotshell powder...

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62 grainers (SS109) with 24.1 of Varget is max per the liers/lawers for Varget on http://data.hodgdon.com, and I went up to about 27.1 compressed with no overpressure signs (CCI #41's though). I did work up, but remember everything is on the conservative side due to liers/lawers.

I went 12% over, but I have a NATO chamber/barrel. If this is for an AR with a NATO chamber, then I would shoot them, but that is me. I have seen factory 5.56 NATO ammo with flattened primers from some range pickups I have scrounged, still crimped.

NATO: 430.00 MPa (62,366 psi)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.56%C3%9745mm_NATO

However, I wouldn't do it in a bolt action rifle.

[stilly]

By the book and for YOUR safety, "dissassemble Stephanie!"

BUT...

If you want to be a small pioneer and have the money to replace your firearm, load a round in and set it somewhere behind something with a string on the trigger and see what happens from a safe distance.

[Divernhunter]

Pull them and start over. Consider it a learning expierence

[DrewtheDon707]

It is a NATO chambered 556 rifle they'd be shot out of but...
better safe than sorry gonna pull em here in a few thanks guys

[russt]

Shooting a load that's over max isn't a great idea in my opinion, but it can definitely be done safely with now issues if you properly work up the load. To go over max with not proper work up is a horrible idea that is definitely not worth the risk!