load data help... .223

[semperfidelis354]

I've been looking around and checked bowler as well as rams it's load data but can't find any load data for my components. And I don't know how to proceed in developing a load outside of a book. So here's what I have:

Nosler varmageddon .224 diameter fbhp 55 grain
Ramshot x-terminator powder
Mixed head stamp brass
CCI br-4 small rifle primers.

Any help or direction would be great. Thanks.

[Ghost_Maker]

I would use this...


55 HDY BT-FMJ 22.4 2,976 24.9 3,278 54,466 2.200

This is right from the Ramshot website

[semperfidelis354]

I would use this...


55 HDY BT-FMJ 22.4 2,976 24.9 3,278 54,466 2.200

This is right from the Ramshot website

I would like to however the Armageddon is what I have on hand. And the rams hot was bought when that was all I could find. So I need to use what I have first.

Would 22 grains of powder be too much to start with?

[BigBronco]

For the most part a 55gr .224 bullet is a 55gr .224 bullet. It is not unsafe to use any .55gr bullet data for the powder you choose. Therefore it matters little that you use data from lets say the Speer manual, Hornady manual or a Lee manual for your 55gr Nosler bullet. The data from the Ramshot website as it specifies a 55gr bullet is good to go. Now as Ghost_Maker has posted that data from the web site is for a HDY 55gr Boat tail bullet and the Nosler varmageddon .224 diameter fbhp 55 grain is a flat based bullet.
I would prefer to use the data for the Hornady 55
HDY V-MAX
Min 21.2 2,936
Max 23.5 3,209
Pressure 54,210
Col 2.260

Your start charge of 22gr Should be a decent load. Not a 100 % sure if it were the best start load but I seldom start with the bottom end of the data and never below it.

[JagerDog]

For the most part a 55gr .224 bullet is a 55gr .224 bullet. It is not unsafe to use any .55gr bullet data for the powder you choose. Therefore it matters little that you use data from lets say the Speer manual, Hornady manual or a Lee manual for your 55gr Nosler bullet. The data from the Ramshot website as it specifies a 55gr bullet is good to go. Now as Ghost_Maker has posted that data from the web site is for a HDY 55gr Boat tail bullet and the Nosler varmageddon .224 diameter fbhp 55 grain is a flat based bullet.
I would prefer to use the data for the Hornady 55
HDY V-MAX
Min 21.2 2,936
Max 23.5 3,209
Pressure 54,210
Col 2.260

Your start charge of 22gr Should be a decent load. Not a 100 % sure if it were the best start load but I seldom start with the bottom end of the data and never below it.

Generally I agree. But Barnes bullets can be rather unique. They typically can handle a bit less powder and need reduced COAL for both chambering and a bit of freebore.

[semperfidelis354]

Thank you for the help! Before thus I was sticking with the components matched in the data book. I've had this stuff since the height of the scare when just getting components was difficult. Time to start loading these things!

[JagerDog]

Do check oal per barnes. You would be well served to sort your cases. Start light and ladder up.

[Ghost_Maker]

Good Luck!