Imput on my First 223 loads

[AdidasCJ]

So today i was able to get my Lee LoadMaster up and running, got it all dialed in. Decided to give it a go for my first test loads. Here is what i got:



55g, 23g Hodgdon Varget on Federal 200 primers OAL 2.25. Cases all trimmed to 1.75in.

First time at any rifle load, Varget says 27g Max load, so i started on the lower end from the loads ive read about.

Will be shot thru an AR.

Thanks!

[Davisje011]

Too many loads, I run 10rds per load, so, 10x23gr, 10x23.5gr, etc.

but something tells me these are a little underloaded.

[ExtremeX]

Who's projectiles are you using?

I use the 55 GR. SPR SP data from the Hodgdons website for my loads using Hornady #2267 or M193 55gr. That load indicates 25.5 to 27.5 compressed max for Varget..

You should call the manufacture of the bullet and or powder if you have load questions; it also helps to cross check against a couple manuals to get an idea of what type of min/max differences are published.

Personally I think the starting charge weight is low, but I don't use Varget for .223 so I cant really comment. I typically follow the data from the powder manufacture.

I agree with too many rounds... to make better use of range time and components, you should make a ladder in 5 or 10 round increments and look for accuracy / pressure signs as you slowley work up towards the max load.

[ExtremeX]

Also... since it sounds like this is your first time loading .223

Before you fire be sure the FL sized die was setup correctly and the cartridge headspace / shoulder bump back isn't in excess and is also sufficient to feed/extract reliably. I saw another thread recently where another member got into some major headakes with a live round stuck in the chamber which looked to be due to sizing problems.

[emy]

Is your AR piston or DI? 23g Varget is on the light end, would be OK on DI but would have cycling problem on piston. Make diff. load and see where your AR cycles without overloading.

[glock7]

23 seems very light. Personally, I like 25.7 very accurate and feels good recoil wise.

[glock7]

Based on your max load of 27, even if you reduced it by 10% it's still higher than 23gr. Personally, I like going 10% off max. Ymmv.

[AdidasCJ]

23 seems very light. Personally, I like 25.7 very accurate and feels good recoil wise.

I also loaded up 6 @ 25.5. Ima take them out tomorrow and test them out

[JagerDog]

25 start loads wouldn't be efficient, but it won't hurt anything. Worst case, they don't cycle and you have to singleshot them. Work up a few tenths at a time.

[JagerDog]

I also loaded up 6 @ 25.5. Ima take them out tomorrow and test them out

That's a big jump. Within published data, but take smaller bites.

[glock7]

I also loaded up 6 @ 25.5. Ima take them out tomorrow and test them out

25.5 should work well. i've gone as high as 26.5 with no signs of overpressure. but as i stated 25.7 seems to be the load for me. enjoy.

[savagemann]

I was recently developing a very similar load.
The only tough part was a buddy and I are reloading together, and trying to find a load that each of our rifles like, was going to take some work.
What I did was start at 25gr of varget with a 55gr horandy projectile. Win srp.
Worked up 10 rounds in .4gr increments.
25, 25.4, 25.8, 26.2
No pressure signs in any of them.
Found between 25.4 & 25.8 was grouping best.
So I started again in .3gr increments @ 25.3, 25.6, 25.9
25.6 was the best out of those 3.
Then did a small batch in 25.5, 25.6 & 25.7
25.7 seems to be the sweet spot for our setup.

[AdidasCJ]

Went out today to pop off the new loads. I must say, both loads did nicely. No Jams, no FTE. At 50 yards i was able to group them up very nicely. I do like the 25.5 load, the 23 was smooth shooting too. Cycled the AR just fine. In with a rapid fire. Inspected the spent cases and no bulge nothing.

[ExtremeX]

Are you trying to find a load for accuracy or just making blaster ammo?

What was the size of the group at 50 yards?

[AdidasCJ]

Are you trying to find a load for accuracy or just making blaster ammo?

What was the size of the group at 50 yards?

Im get them set for accuracy. They all grouped to about quarter to silver dollar at the 50yrd (using red dot). I want to get somewere to go for range aswell as accuracy,