223 Loads Have Me Worried

[Paul Barnard]

Ramshot moved the target on me. I have an older Ramshot loading pamphlet. It lists a max load of TAC in 223 (not 5.56) pushing a 60 grain bullet at 26.7 grains and a starting load at 25.4. I split the difference and built some loads with 26 grains using Remington 7 1/2 primers. I haven't fired any yet. Today I was skimming TAC loads on the Ramshot download and it lists a max charge of TAC pushing a 60 grain bullet at 24.8. Similarly I built some loads using 50 grain bullets and those loads too are beyond current Ramshot max loads. My launch platform is a Remington SPS.

I spent a while looking at TAC loads on various forums and have found some that show my loads as OK and have found some that show my loads as over max.

Can anyone run a quick load type program on it and see what it says? I have a 5.56 AR. Those loads should be OK out of it based on current data. COAL is 2.255 on both. My face is worth more than the 80 loads I built, so if tossing them is what I should do then I will.

 

[longrangehunter]

So I have a few older Ram Shot manuals, Edition 4.1 says 25.5 for the 68 gr. Hornady bullet using TAC, which I've used out of my Noveske Afghan using MAST brass and L.C only that load was reduced to 24.5 for accuracy. A good bolt action is very strong, I'd run a round over a chronograph and see just how fast it's going. That will tell you if the pressure is too high if the speed is as well.

Their edition III says with a 60 gr. HDY HP up to 26.3 of TAC.

 

[RiverRider]

I think anyone who has QL would be glad to run it for you, but I don't think it's the right way to approach your quandary. I'd run a few shots over a chronograph and see if the velocity remains within a reasonable range considering the bullet weight and your barrel length.

But since you asked...and this is run with 60-grain BTs:

Cartridge          : .223 Rem. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .224, 60, Nosler BalTip 34992
Useable Case Capaci: 25.364 grain H2O = 1.647 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.260 inch = 57.40 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Ramshot TAC

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   93    23.40   2734     996   40264   6696     85.0    1.121
-09.0   94    23.66   2766    1019   41649   6792     85.6    1.104
-08.0   95    23.92   2798    1043   43086   6886     86.2    1.087
-07.0   96    24.18   2830    1067   44577   6979     86.9    1.071
-06.0   97    24.44   2862    1091   46125   7071     87.5    1.055
-05.0   98    24.70   2894    1116   47732   7161     88.1    1.039  ! Near Maximum !
-04.0   99    24.96   2926    1141   49401   7250     88.7    1.023  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0  100    25.22   2959    1166   51135   7337     89.3    1.008  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  101    25.48   2991    1192   52937   7422     89.9    0.993  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  102    25.74   3023    1218   54810   7506     90.4    0.978  
+00.0  103    26.00   3056    1244   56758   7587     91.0    0.963  
+01.0  104    26.26   3088    1271   58784   7667     91.5    0.949  
+02.0  105    26.52   3121    1298   60893   7745     92.0    0.935  
+03.0  106    26.78   3154    1325   63088   7820     92.5    0.921  
+04.0  107    27.04   3186    1353   65375   7894     93.0    0.907  
+05.0  108    27.30   3219    1381   67757   7965     93.5    0.893  

Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    103    26.00   3145    1318   61989   7752     94.1    0.927  
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    103    26.00   2958    1165   51659   7353     87.1    1.004  ! Near Maximum !

 

[Wyo7200]

Check your rifles manual- my .223 sps is also rated for 5.56. Like riverrider mentioned, chrono some and get velocities.

 

[RiverRider]

I'd be extra cautious about the so-called "5.56 NATO" loading data. Find out about NATO pressure testing and the standards used. In my opinion, there's a lot of very high pressure data out there and it's based on bad assumptions.

 

[Paul Barnard]

Check your rifles manual- my .223 sps is also rated for 5.56. Like riverrider mentioned, chrono some and get velocities.

I am a very recreational loader and don't have a chrono. I ought to buy one though as I am interested in stretching things out with my new Creedmoor. I got into reloading to buy stuff that isn't commercially available, and never have pushed limits and didn't think I was with these loads. I am not a long range shooter either. 257R with 115 Partitions is an example of a load that's not commercially available and it has become my go-to deer load. I will dig around in the attic and see if I can find the manual. I wonder why Ramshot changed the max recommendation. I have seen both bullet and powder manufacturers do it over the years. Find an old Nosler Manual and compare it with today's manual. Big differences!

 

[Wyo7200]

Different components, test barrels, powder lots can and will change the min and max's throughout the years. Also, technological advances are giving people precise measurements- I.e. the Pressure Trace software vs relying on the visual signs of pressure reading. How old is your sps?

Creedmoor's are fun!

 

[Jimbeaux82]

Paul Barnard,

by all means, definitely buy and use a chrono. That is the only way you will know what your loads are doing in your rifle. Sometimes the book velocities listed will be as much as 200 fps slower in your rifle.

Buying a chrono is the best money spent as a reloader.

Jimbeaux

 

[Paul Barnard]

Because I know all of you have been waiting anxiously to hear back from me on this, I thought I'd give you an update. There were no signs of excessive pressure. Primer edges still well rounded. Bolt lift free and easy. The 50 grain load was pretty impressive. 1/2 inch group out of my Remington SPS and 1 inch group out of my Ruger AR 556. The 60 grain Partition load was just over an inch out of the SPS. I didn't burn any in the AR.

 

[tjen]

I am convinced using a chorno is the only safe way to reload. From experence loading listed loads that were way way too fast.

 

[RiverRider]

It ain't foolproof, but I agree. Monitoring velocity is a useful technique for safety as well as facilitation of load development. There's no such thing as too much data in this game!