Question on 223 vmax bullets

[09cs]

I picked up some 55gr vmax bullets from a family member for cheap and had a quick question.

Im using hornady vmax bullets 55gr and using imr 4895
On the imr site they do not have 55gr vmax listed but have 55gr spr.sp listed loads. They have 60gr vmax listed and the COAL is listed as 2.250. That just seems long to me but is that correct? And is the starting load for the 55gr spr.sp ok for the vmax?

The vmax seem longer than the Sierra ones I was using. I tried loading one at the starting load listed for the 55gr and with the vmax it seemed to compress the powder.

Thanks for the help in advance!!

[BigBronco]

First what rifle are you firing them out of? Bolt or AR patterned rifle?

[fty]

Vmax

From the Hornady book:
223 Remingon 55Gn VMax
IMR 4895

2800=22.7
2900=23.5
3000=24.3
3100=25.1

2.250 OAL

[sunborder]

2.25 OAL is pretty standard for longer bullets like the 75grain hornady, and they fit just fine in magazines. I use a different powder with that bullet, so I can't speak to charge weights, but that OAL is correct.

[Fjold]

First what rifle are you firing them out of? Bolt or AR patterned rifle?

I'm curious as to why that matters in developing a load?

[Enfield47]

I'm curious as to why that matters in developing a load?

Would it be because a bolt gun can fire more easily as a single shot allowing the COL to extend beyond mag length?

[JMP]

Would it be because a bolt gun can fire more easily as a single shot allowing the COL to extend beyond mag length?

No, bolt rifles are still limited by the chamber's head space. Actually, it's common for bolts to have less headspace.

[LynnJr]

Headspace has nothing to do with cartridge over all length.

[BigBronco]

No, bolt rifles are still limited by the chamber's head space. Actually, it's common for bolts to have less headspace.

Head space is to the case shoulder and bolt face. OAL to the ogive is the distance to the case head and the ogive. Accuracy may be improved when loading the bullet closer to the lands and grooves. A mag fed rifle like an AR pattern rifle the cartridge length is limited to the cartridge fitting in the magazine.

The pointed profile of the Amax bullet results in a farther distance to the lands and grooves since the bullet must be set further in to the case in order to fit in to the magazine. Most match shooters use hollow points for better accuracy. Amax, Vmax, Zmax and most other pointer polymer tipped bullets perform best in bolt action rifles. But the Zmax look cool in any rifle.

[Bumslie]

Problem solved

[bigedp51]

I'm curious as to why that matters in developing a load?

Because the load data is different between a gas operated rifle and a bolt action, due to port pressure limitations. On top of this you have different twist rates and throats for the .223 and 5.56.

On a over gassed AR15 the bolt can start moving to the rear while there is still pressure in the barrel and the case is still clinging to the chamber walls.

This is just some of the reasons why you see .223 bolt action load data and 5.56 service rifle load data.

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223rembolt.pdf

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

I understand what your saying about working up a load which should be done with any firearm. BUT too many people look at load data for a bolt action rifle and think its the same for a gas operated rifles.

Bottom line, on a gas operated rifle high port pressure can have adverse effects on your rifle and your brass.



Then there is the problem of reloaders not knowing the specilized green tip bullets are for shooting Zombies in the head and the red tips are for everything else.

[09cs]

Thank you all for the replies!

[JMP]

Head space is to the case shoulder and bolt face. OAL to the ogive is the distance to the case head and the ogive. Accuracy may be improved when loading the bullet closer to the lands and grooves. A mag fed rifle like an AR pattern rifle the cartridge length is limited to the cartridge fitting in the magazine.

The pointed profile of the Amax bullet results in a farther distance to the lands and grooves since the bullet must be set further in to the case in order to fit in to the magazine. Most match shooters use hollow points for better accuracy. Amax, Vmax, Zmax and most other pointer polymer tipped bullets perform best in bolt action rifles. But the Zmax look cool in any rifle.

I am sorry, I meant the chamber length and dimensions, which is why I am not an NRA Certified Reloading Instructor . However, the distance from the lands really depends on each situation. The point being that I have seen OALs fit and AR magazine that will not chamber in a bolt action because they are too long. I am not sure why the ballistic tip would matter in a bolt vs. semi. I think that it's more common to see ballistic tipped bullets used in bolt guns since they are more commonly used for hunting. The ballistic tip helps to preserve some of the aerodynamic efficiency in a bullet with properties that allow it to expand.

[5gnut]

I picked up some 55gr vmax bullets from a family member for cheap and had a quick question.

Im using hornady vmax bullets 55gr and using imr 4895
On the imr site they do not have 55gr vmax listed but have 55gr spr.sp listed loads. They have 60gr vmax listed and the COAL is listed as 2.250. That just seems long to me but is that correct? And is the starting load for the 55gr spr.sp ok for the vmax?

The vmax seem longer than the Sierra ones I was using. I tried loading one at the starting load listed for the 55gr and with the vmax it seemed to compress the powder.

Thanks for the help in advance!!

Don't use the load data from a different bullet, I did that and was lucky not to have a failure. minimums for the spr. sp are higher than the max for BL-C(2), H335 and IMR 4198. Definite signs of over pressure

[Fjold]

Because the load data is different between a gas operated rifle and a bolt action, due to port pressure limitations. On top of this you have different twist rates and throats for the .223 and 5.56.

On a over gassed AR15 the bolt can start moving to the rear while there is still pressure in the barrel and the case is still clinging to the chamber walls.

This is just some of the reasons why you see .223 bolt action load data and 5.56 service rifle load data.

I understand what your saying about working up a load which should be done with any firearm. BUT too many people look at load data for a bolt action rifle and think its the same for a gas operated rifles.

Bottom line, on a gas operated rifle high port pressure can have adverse effects on your rifle and your brass.