M14 Forum

GreatPlainsRifleman

Sapp, did you trickle each round into the scale, or did you throw them all out of the hopper?

SAPPNASTY

I have never used my hopper, because I absolutely hate it. I use the RIBS Chargemaster combo for dispensing. I plan to sell my hopper in the bx.

Ivan1GFP

Hello Sappnasty,

I can't remember what my loads for IMR 4895 were for the .223 and have definitely never reloaded for a 16 inch AR-15. Your velocities are low, but you already know why.

Just a couple comments:
The use of "Standard Deviation" as a measurement of the variation in velocities is because it is a number that does not change in meaning depending on how many shots are fired. Other measures of variation such as extreme spread DO change depending on number of shots.

First of all, 15 fps Standard Deviation is actually quite good. I personally have seldom gotten much below that when reloading for a gas operated rifle. With a bolt gun, you might do better. Single digit SD is considered VERY good.

As for how you can improve that number, consider that you are probably hand cycling the first round of a group and the others are auto loaded. The issue is that hand cycling the round probably puts the powder (especially in a charge that leaves a lot of room in the case) close to the primer and you will get higher velocities. The auto loaded rounds will most likely put powder up near the bullet and are likely to go a bit slower. You could tip the barrel up between shots or load each round by hand.

Wife locked herself and kids outta the house. Need to git.
- Ivan.

John Coleman

I haven't used the 55 grain Vmax bullet but in 223 Remington using IMR-4895 I load,

25.0 grains of IMR-4895 with 55 grain bullets

24.0 grains of IMR-4895 with 69 grain bullets

23.0 grains of IMR0-4895 with 77 grain bullets

These are not maximum loads but they are usually very accurate and hot enough. I don't want to push the cases so hard that they aren't reloadable for at least a couple of more loads.

I always use CCI magnum or bench rest primers or Remington 7 1/2 primers. The CCI #41, CCI 450, CCI BR4 and the Remington 7 1/2 primers have thicker cups that handle the high pressure of 223 and the AR15 firing pin. The CCI 400 primers are thinner and I don't use them in 223, but they do seem to be the toughest of he "thin" primers. Other thin small rifle primers I avoid using in 223 are the Remington 6 1/2, Winchester SR and Federal 205 primers.

Federal 223 Remington cases have case heads that half of the thickness of other 223 Remington cases. I throw them away and do not load them. The case heads expand too much and either the case fails or gases leak from around the primer. Remington brand 223 Remington cases seem a bit soft, especially in the rim but work alright if not too much out of shape. Winchester 223 Remington cases seem to be about the strongest of the commercial American-made 223 Remington cases.

MTU1980

I have done some mexican match by taking the Russian made steel cased ammo "Tula" 223 55grain FMJ and pulling the bullet and replacing it with a Hornady 55grain V-Max bullet w/cannelure...seated in about the middle of the cannelure and I crimp the case mouth into the cannelure. I do NOT touch the powder charge and with 7 rounds it averaged 3091fps on the chrony---but this is with a Rem 700 bolt gun w/20" barrel---shoots less than 1" @100yds.

PatriotM1A

Hello SAPPNASTY,

First of all, I'm surprised that your starting load was that low and didn't realize until reading threads that yours is a 16" barrel. Does your rifle have a nato 5.56mm chamber or sammi .223. This doesn't make a difference in the load just O.A.L. because of the throat. Both my AR's are N.M. 20" barrels with Wilde chambers which allows seating the bullets .010" off the lands at 2.465", but I assume you are firing mag length rounds at 2.250" and the twist is 1-9'. When I began shooting high power the load that was recommended was 24 grs. of 4895 (Varget can be used as it is similar in burn rate) and I have not changed this since the first reloads. Velocities range from 2700 to 2850 f.p.s and I am able to use this load for both 77 and 80 gr. Sierras. 77's for 200-300 yds. and 80's for 600. One thing I noticed is that temperature and humidity have a lot to do with chrony readouts. That is to say, that on colder days velocities drop and the opposite on warmer days. I have had no pressure indications with this load, but would advise you starting a tad lower and check for pressure.

PatriotM1a, an old grunt!!
Hope this helps and good shooting !!