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Posted: 8/5/2009 10:38:42 AM EDT
| I am concerned by how high the powder is in my .223 cases. I'm using varget, and I started with 25.5 grains, and the data shows a max of 27.5 for a 55 grain bullet. It's just a fmj hornady. Anyway, at 26.5 grains, the powder is really high in the case, up to the shoulder area where the neck starts. I see in the data that 27.5 is a compressed load, but it looks to me that another full grain of powder would overflow the case. I'm using an RCBS chargemaster 1500, but I also checked it with an RCBS 505 scale to confirm that the charge is the correct weight. It may just be me, as I'm new to the .223, but I wanted to get some advise from you guys before I proceed. Everything else is correct as far as case length and prep etc. Thanks for the advice in advance. |
| I don't currenlty use Varget but I don't think 27.5 gr should overflow the case (Hodgdon lists 28 gr max w/a 45gr bulet). Just try it to see how full it gets. Obviously since they tell you it's a compressed load w/a 55 gr bullet it will be up to the neck, at least. Have you worked up to this load? |
| One thing to try when using powder charges that come that close to filling the case is to use some sort of vibration source to help settle the powder. Extruded powders like Varget can take up extra space because the grains don't all line up together, but vibrating the case can help all the grains line up with each other. There are all sorts of different tools you could use to supply the vibration, from a vibratory tumbler to an electric screwdriver. |
| I'm working up the load now. I generally start at minimum and work up to max by loading 5 rounds each in increments of three tenths of a grain. All rounds are marked with a marker as to what the load is and matched to a printout that I make with a listing for each load, and then they're fired through a chronograph. I note any pressure observations, and of course velocity, plus all other factors including weather conditions etc. With these loads I'm basically trying to match them up with the Federal 55 grain fmj loads in the value pack which ran an average of about 2850 from my son's 16" barrel. I was just suspicious because even at 26.5 grains it was already at the neck of the case. |
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