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  #1  
Old 02-02-2013, 07:16 PM
willig10 willig10 is offline
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Hi all:
I searched but cannot find my answer. Here goes. I have a Colt M4 with a 1:7 twist. I am looking for reloading data for the following:

Hornady A-Max 80 grain bullet 22 caliber(.224), using CFE223 powder. I would like to know what the min-max powder throw is and C.O.L.

Appreciate your help.

Regards
Glenn Williams
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Old 02-02-2013, 08:49 PM
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Have you searched over on AR15.com or M4.com? You might get an answer here but more likely find loads for that bullet discussed more than once over there. As for the powder, you might have to Google up some specialty hand loading sites. It's so new you might have to work up a load for that bullet. Hodgdon lists a couple loads for 80 gr but not the Amax.
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Old 02-03-2013, 03:30 AM
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Hodgdon's website lists the 80 grain Sierra match bullet with CFE. Go to data.hodgdon.com plug the filters in and see. Although it isn't the A Max, using start low and work up you'll be fine.
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Old 02-03-2013, 04:03 PM
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Default A-max 80 grain (Hornady) with CFE223

All:
I was able to go to Cabellas and look at the Hornady 9th edition of their reloadinig manual. Here is what the book says.

COAL= 2.390" However can this be shortened? Will not Magazine feed at that length. Just for general purposes I screwed down the bullet length to see what it would take to magazine feed that measurement is 2.2785".

Can these be shot like this?

Here are the specifics per the book.

Minimum powder throw is 20.2 grains
Maximum powder throw is 24.1 grains

I am using the minimum of 20.2 grains and loaded 100 rounds per the book using the COL of 2.390

I also loaded 20 rounds at 20.2 grains and COL of 2.2785.

Am I going to have to single load these only and remove the 20 that I loaded to 2.2785
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Old 02-03-2013, 04:08 PM
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The magazine will determine if you can shoot the 2.390 rounds - load it up and see if they touch which would jam up and cause it not to feed.
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Old 02-03-2013, 07:19 PM
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Ken:
I stated in my reply that the COL of 2.390" will not magazine feed, hence the questions I posed. I will call Hornady in the morning and post results here. I was hoping someone from this forum has shot the A-Max 80 grain bullet with the magazine loaded with more than one round.

Regards
Glenn
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Old 02-03-2013, 08:04 PM
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That load is more suited to a bolt gun or single feed. You can get a single feed adapter for the AR. As to the load at reduced OAL, your pretty much on your own unless you can find someone who has worked up that load previously.

Typical procedure is to load 5, 10 or maybe up to 20 test rounds until you determine what works then load a bigger batch. loading 100 of an unknown performer has it's downside unless your just looking to make blasting ammo.
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Old 02-03-2013, 10:21 PM
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what is wrong about just running those 2.390's back into the seater and push the bullets to the 2.2785 needed to feed in the mag? You said you were loading the min charge, so you should not have an issue with compressed powder charge.
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Old 02-03-2013, 10:26 PM
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Why are you trying to shoot 80 grain bullets in a 223 in the first place? These things are better for the 22-250, 220 Swift in bolt guns for very long range shooting (400 - 600 yard stuff).
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Old 02-03-2013, 11:06 PM
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I was wondering about that too. Seems a little on the heavy side for the case capacity.
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Old 02-03-2013, 11:06 PM
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As stated in the first post. I have a 1:7 twist. But my regular bullet weight was not available. I thought I would give these a try. I can shoot single shot but I prefer not to. Worse case scenario is I will shoot the 80 rounds at single shot and use my bullet remover tool to remove the 20 that I loaded to 2.2785, unless Hornady gives me the ok to use them.

However you asked why. I enjoy long range shooting. Back when I was in the military we shot the M-16 to 600 yards then switched to the M-14 out to around 1500-2000 yards. I want to see what my rifle's capabilities are at 600 yards and further with the A-max 80 grain bullet.

Glenn Williams
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Old 02-04-2013, 12:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willig10 View Post
All:
I was able to go to Cabellas and look at the Hornady 9th edition of their reloadinig manual. Here is what the book says.

COAL= 2.390" However can this be shortened? Will not Magazine feed at that length. Just for general purposes I screwed down the bullet length to see what it would take to magazine feed that measurement is 2.2785".

Can these be shot like this?
The 80 grain A Max is a bullet that many long range AR competition guys use for the slow fire distance. The OAL does not need reduced to fit the mag and then fired unless you just feel like buying a new gun and spending an afternoon in the ER.

If you're wanting to test your guns long range capabilities, the A Max is the way to go, but one at a time. But like 125 JHP, I find myself wondering why you didn't load up a ladder tests to find the load your gun likes before loading up a bunch of expensive bullets. I load up 5 at a time in incriments and shoot for groups. Whatever load shot the best, thats what I load in bulk.

I don't mean to be rude or anything, but how much experience do you have in reloading?

Last edited by tappedandtagged; 02-04-2013 at 12:54 AM.
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Old 02-04-2013, 01:04 AM
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Hornady #8 on page 167 (service rifle data)specifically says that the A max 75 gr can not be loaded to magazine length,
It is for single shot use. So that being said the 80 gr would fall in the same category.

They 80 grain has a COAL of 2.390

Why complicate things, use the bullet as it was intended or find some others that will feed from the mag.
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Old 02-04-2013, 09:04 AM
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Man you guys are harsh. excuse me for asking a question. WOW
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Old 02-04-2013, 10:16 AM
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Well. what answer would you like to hear? Maybe someone will accommodate you.
Maybe everyone should pat you on the back and say go for it, you da man, forget the books what do they know?

We, OTOH, may be a bit rough around the edges but try to look out for each other... what do you expect from a bunch of old geezers?
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Old 02-04-2013, 01:49 PM
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to tapped and tagged and 125JHP.

First to answer your question about how long I have been reloading. Well let's just say I remember buying IMR when it was sold out of a metal can.

Tapped:
Wasnt trying to be "da man". I simply asked a question to see if anyone has shot the 80 grain A-Mag bullet "magazine fed". Bottom line is I am not willing to put my rifle or myself in jeopardy.

OTH: I called Hornady this morning and the only issue with the 80 Grain A-Mag bullet seated so far down is that the ogive will be to far down to give a firm grip on the bullet proper. So as stated by others this round is delegated to single shot. No problem. I will take the 20 that I seated and remove them with my bullet puller and reseat them to 2.390".

Someone else asked why I loaded 100 to the minimum and my answer is cause I can afford it.

Not trying to be rude. However When I am asked a question, if I know the answer I respond as nice as I can. I don't attack someone's charachter and ask them a loaded question like I have seen here.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Glenn
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Old 02-04-2013, 02:53 PM
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Sorry if I sounded tough. I did not mean to sound that way. I got my answer, you are looking at long range performance, so the 80 grainers in that 1 in 7 should work. You look like you will be forced to feed single shot. I load heavy VLD for a 284 winchester and am faced with the same issue as these long bullets will not feed in magazines but have to be single loaded. For competition, i think you will find a powder charge that provides the optimum accuracy for your individual gun, same a adding a "tuner" to the end of the barrel that some shooters are doing today. Vary you charge and shoot some 3 round groups off the bench. You will find one shoots smaller that the others. Good luck and enjoy the 600 yard stuff. It is a lot of fun.
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Old 02-04-2013, 03:28 PM
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Default 80 grain A-Max .224 and CFE223 powder

All bullets are now at 2.390" and will single load them for my next shooting session. I typically buy the Hornady (2279) which is a 75 grain BTHP. I have had no issues with these and they group tight using CFE223 loaded at 23.1 to 23.5 grains. A 20 round magazine shot can be covered by a quarter at 100+ yards with open (battlefield) sights.

I just added optics and will see how the 80 grain A-Max rounds do after zeroing in the optics.

Later

Glenn Williams
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Old 02-04-2013, 05:06 PM
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Nevermind. Post deleted.

Last edited by tappedandtagged; 02-04-2013 at 05:08 PM.
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Old 02-04-2013, 05:16 PM
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Oh didnt you notice that I posted the picture just for you guys? Obviously you did not see the humor in it. I see that you have the mind set that if we disagree, I am your enemy right? I love it when guys like you want people like me to leave. Sorry that aint happening and I am not going to stroke your ego.

Last time I checked, I thought we as Americans can agree to disagree or have different opinions. Bottom line is my experience level is none of you or anyone elses business.

I came here seeking an answer to a question and it has been answered and well received. Again it never hurts to ask. Just because it is in a book or the internet does not always make it correct.

Again my 2 cents worth.

Glenn Williams
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Old 02-04-2013, 05:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willig10 View Post
Man you guys are harsh. excuse me for asking a question. WOW
How about next time you ask a question tell us what answer you would like to hear and then we can all agree and sit around the fire and sing Kumbaya

I notice you decided to go with the single shot as Hornady writes in their lame old manual.
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Old 02-04-2013, 06:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by willig10 View Post
Oh didnt you notice that I posted the picture just for you guys? Obviously you did not see the humor in it. I see that you have the mind set that if we disagree, I am your enemy right? I love it when guys like you want people like me to leave. Sorry that aint happening and I am not going to stroke your ego.

Last time I checked, I thought we as Americans can agree to disagree or have different opinions. Bottom line is my experience level is none of you or anyone elses business.

I came here seeking an answer to a question and it has been answered and well received. Again it never hurts to ask. Just because it is in a book or the internet does not always make it correct.

Again my 2 cents worth.

Glenn Williams
Since you directly addressed me in this post.... well, no, I am no one's enemy. I have not attacked you, talked down to you or otherwise insulted you. All I can say is wow....
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Old 02-04-2013, 07:32 PM
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Thread closed due to a lack a civility.
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