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Posted: 1/6/2013 3:50:12 AM EDT
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Gentlemen, with the current prices of manufactured ammunition for 5.56x45 going totally insane I have decided to get back into the reloading game after a good many years.
I have a number of specific questions concerning a particular combination of components, I intend to use these components to produce an effective and ECONOMICAL hunting / self defense load in 5.56x45 NATO that I hope this collective brain trust will be able to help me develop. The desired result would be a cartridge (5.56x45) capable of delivering a 75gr. HPBT at a minimum velocity of 3000 ft/sec at muzzle and 2500 ft/sec velocity at 200 yd. while maintaining a safe chamber pressure of no greater than 5000 CPU at detonation. The platform intended for the use of this round would be a Mil Spec AR-15 (M-4 config), a true 5.56x45 chambered 16" chrome lined barrel, mid length direct impingement gas system, standard bolt assembly with civilian weight bolt carrier and a standard recoil spring and buffer assembly. The components I intend to use for this cartridge will be: . Hornady 22c (.224) 75gr BTHP Match (non cannelure) . Once fired Lake City 5.56x45 brass (2011 head stamp) . Hodgdon Benchmark (24.0grs) . CCI Small (No. 41) rifle primer (non crimped) Note: The reason for the use of these specific components is that I currently have a ready supply of the items on hand. The questions I have concerning this particular combination of components are: . Should the proposed cartridge achieve the performance levels I desire of a minimum velocity of 3000 ft/sec at muzzle and 2500 ft/sec velocity at 200 yd ? . Should the proposed cartridge be safe to operate in my selected platform (chamber pressure of no greater than 5000 CPU) at detonation ? . Should the proposed cartridge maintain a reasonable degree of accuracy out to 300 yards with a maximum bullet drop of no more than 12" ? . Should the proposed cartridge produce a sufficiently effective terminal effect (temporary and permanent wound cavity) as to be considered an effective hunting and self defense load ? I realize that the specific questions I am asking are subject to variations with regards to my particular rifle and that any new load should be worked up incrementally while being observant to the indications of excessive pressures, that being said and understood I am hoping for a collective opinion as to the viability of this projected cartridge and any and all suggestions concerning it's modification to achieve the desired results. Thanks for your time and consideration guys |
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You will be way over max load to reach 3000 fps.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp Cartridge: 223 Remington Load Type: Rifle Starting Loads Maximum Loads Bullet Weight (Gr.)ManufacturerPowderBullet Diam.C.O.L.Grs.Vel. (ft/s)PressureGrs.Vel. (ft/s)Pressure 75 GR. JLK VLD Hodgdon Benchmark .224" 2.250" 21.5 2610 41,900 CUP 23.5 2829 49,400 CUP |
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I gather from reading your post you're capable, just short some tools. What you've done is built a ballistic model in your head, like I would. Once I have a model in mind load manuals are broke open to caliber and projectile weight in mind. I then start comparing data with current powder manufactuer data online. Hornady has a free ballistic calculator online that I've compared to Sierra's calculator, both good programs except Hornady is free. Be flexible with powder choice.
Regards, dc. |
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My Hornady manual must be too new. Max "listed" velocity with their 75gr BTHP in a ".223 Service Rifle" 20" barrel is 2700 f/s.
The only other comment I want to make concerns the hunting question. The 75gr BTHP is a match bullet and is not intended to be used on game. Yes it will put holes in animals but may or may not expand. Other "match" bullets are the same way. You can go to their web site and research it or give them a call if you need to. |
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