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Posted: 11/8/2013 6:41:42 PM EDT
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Hey all, bonehead question coming. I am trying to do it the right way (just got my Hornady 9th edition) and started reading through the info. Well, the .223 Rem page (147) starts off showing specs for the Remmington 700. Obviously the R700 is a bolt action rifle, but are there any differences for shooting AR-15 (16" 1:7) using the reloading values shown?
Like I said, noob question. Right now I am just looking for some plinking ammo to put rounds down range. Planned on using some 55 gr, so any concerns shooting a mid range load of Win748 or H335 at 23.7 gr and 21.6 gr, respectively? Btw, Lyman's 49th is on order for cross reference, but I imagine my question would still apply. Thanks all. |
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Quoted: Hey all, bonehead question coming. I am trying to do it the right way (just got my Hornady 9th edition) and started reading through the info. Well, the .223 Rem page (147) starts off showing specs for the Remmington 700. Obviously the R700 is a bolt action rifle, but are there any differences for shooting AR-15 (16" 1:7) using the reloading values shown? Like I said, noob question. Right now I am just looking for some plinking ammo to put rounds down range. Planned on using some 55 gr, so any concerns shooting a mid range load of Win748 or H335 at 23.7 gr and 21.6 gr, respectively? Btw, Lyman's 49th is on order for cross reference, but I imagine my question would still apply. Thanks all. The loads listed will work well in an AR. Both of the powders you mentioned will work well. You will like how well those 2 ball powders measure. Yes those are mid level loads. But not the place for you to begin loading. The correct place to begin loading is the "start" load. "Start" load is the lowest powder charge shown. Never load below the "start" load. Every firearm is a little different, and loading data should be considered a report of what happened the day of testing. So a safe, and especially a new reloader, should begin his loads at the "start" charge and work up carefully watching for pressure signs. See page 66 for more on pressure signs. As you work up, shoot groups to help you determine which of your loads are the most accurate. Welcome to Arfcom and the Reloading Forum.  |
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With H335 I use 25.3 grains of powder. Has been a decently accurate load for me. I have loaded Winchester 55gr FMJ's, Hornady 55gr FMJ's and Hornady 55gr ZMax bullets with that powder charge.
ETA: obviously don't start here but this is where I worked up to and got the best results. |
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Don't forget this Data source.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp Then read this. http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/gasgunreload.cfm |
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Quoted:
Hey all, bonehead question coming. I am trying to do it the right way (just got my Hornady 9th edition) and started reading through the info. Well, the .223 Rem page (147) starts off showing specs for the Remmington 700. Obviously the R700 is a bolt action rifle, but are there any differences for shooting AR-15 (16" 1:7) using the reloading values shown? Like I said, noob question. Right now I am just looking for some plinking ammo to put rounds down range. Planned on using some 55 gr, so any concerns shooting a mid range load of Win748 or H335 at 23.7 gr and 21.6 gr, respectively? Btw, Lyman's 49th is on order for cross reference, but I imagine my question would still apply. Thanks all. Flip to page 154. Or page 157 if you have a NATO chamber. |
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OP: are there any differences for shooting AR-15 (16" 1:7) using the reloading values shown? Couple of items: 1. bolt guns can handle higher chamber pressures because there is no auto-loader to deal with copious amount of gas vol. and pressure from hot loads. 2. barrel length (if not specifically listed in footnotes or liner notes in the loading manual) is typically assumed to be 24" test barrels in a bolt gun configuration. Shorter barrels will run lower velocities for the same load and cartridge configuration. I don't have a Hornady #9, so my comments are to be taken with a grain of salt. |
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Too light of loads with both powders mentioned. Highly recommend using Hodgdon's data for H335. I wouldn't go below 23.5 with H335 and 55 grain bullets and would work up to 25 grains and not go higher. For Winchester 748 I'd start at 24.5 and work up to 26.4 and not go higher using 55 grain bullets. Using your manuals and checking on on-line sources and comparing all data is the safe way to start but going too low is a waste of components. I highly recommend a tool to measure case headspace such as Hornady's Headspace set which is used with your caliper, or the RCBS Precision Mic and search for articles on adjusting your sizing die to headspace for semi-auto gas guns. Also, double check your cases for signs of case stretching and possible incipient case separations. You're on the right track by reading and researching the safe procedures for reloading. Lots of good folks here happy to answer questions and help out. Hornady's data in my opinion is really conservative for 55 grain bullets using H335 powder. Now some other data I've used from Hornady is manuals with other powders and other bullets is spot on to my results?? Just compare all data from as many sources as possible and be wary of some sources that list much heavier charges than normal. My method is to 1st compare bullet company data to the powder company data. Have fun, be careful! Here's a very good article on reloading gas operated guns such as the AR and should be required reading:
http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reloadbasics/gasgunreload.cfm oops, already posted above |
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Something to keep in mind:
Most load data uses standard small rifle primers. If you use magnum primers like CCI #41 or 450, pressure increases significantly. This really matters with hot .223 loads and 5.56*45 Service Rifle loads. A drop in case length/headspace gauge is a must for reloading rifle/bottleneck cases. |
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