having problems finding .223 Data

[oneyeopn]

Hi I am reloading for my sport. I am using Hornady bullets exclusively. the 55grain V-Max, the 55 grain Z-Max and the 68 grain Match BTHP. I was using IMR4895, but broke down and bought some CFE223 and love it. CCI#41 5.56 Primers. I am using the numbers for the Speer bullet out of the Hodgdon Load Data Center but I know that my BC is different for these bullets and they dont give any Data for the 68 grain, they give data for a 69 grain but the BC is different for these also. Can anyone give me any help? Thanks Alot
Grover

 

[Rule3]

The info you seek is in the Hornady 8th edition manual for the IMR powder. They do not show the CFE.

The data for the 68 gr bullet #2278 with the IMR is listed if that is what you need?? The do not show a "69" gr is that a typo?

If you need the IMR data let me know, if it is for CFE I would call them.

 

[Fkimble]

I use the 68 and 69 grain bullet data interchangably.As long as you seat them to the same over-all length you should be OK. BC doesn't really mean much til the bullet is a couple hundred yards down range.

 

[crracer_712]

Hey Grover, I'll look in my newest magazine style loading manual. Can't think of the name, but it features an AR-15 and the CFE223 on the cover.

 

[oneyeopn]

Thanks guys..the 69 is not a typo when I look at the Hodgdon site they show only the 69 gr.
I am interested in the CFE powder because velocities and chamber pressures are higher but not to high and I am wanting to push the 68 grain faster. My regular shooting is 200+ yards. I know I am lucky living in the middle of nowhere SW Kansas.
Rod let me know what you come up with Please.
Thanks Guys
Grover

 

[rifle]

Explore Varget, i use it for 60+ grain bullets and it works fine.
Clean burning...

 

[MichiganScott]

I use the 68 and 69 grain bullet data interchangably.As long as you seat them to the same over-all length you should be OK. BC doesn't really mean much til the bullet is a couple hundred yards down range.

1+

Start low and work your way up just in case there is a major difference in jacket hardness or length of the bearing surface.

 

[oneyeopn]

Gentleman Where I live I have to drive 3 hours+ to get reloading stuff. I do it once or twice a month when I have to go to the VA hospital in Wichita. I am on a truly limited budget and only load for specific bullets. I know I can probably find varget but not for a couple of weeks and this CFE is doing so well for the 55 grains. I looked at the loading data and max for the CFE on the 69 grain bullet is 25.8 which is a full grain under what I am loading for 55 grain bullets, 25.8 also is around 3029fps. From what I understand with an 1-8 twist barrel the longer 68gr (a lot longer) bullet likes to go fast to be accurate, over 2900fps I read in a couple of places. I ended up with the load of 24.8c using IMR4895 and it was alright but nothing special and I expected more and that is the max recommended. I am thinking I can run CFE at 25.4 not compressed and get a little more velocity and maybe accuracy if I can get to around 2975fps. With the IMR I could only get about 2950 loaded to max. I would rather not load to max, chamber pressures are getting up there.

 

[Rule3]

Call Hodgdon in the Morning. They are most helpful people.

Contact Us

 

[oneyeopn]

Thank You Rule3, by the way what is Rule3?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Top velocities most of the time don't translate into more accuracy. As a matter of fact the most accurate loads are usually are somewhat off the max velocities. I have not heard pushing longer bullets faster makes them more accurate. Where did you hear that?

 

[MichiganScott]

Thank You Rule3, by the way what is Rule3?

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: "Don't believe what you're told. Double check".

Works very well when hand loading ammo.

FWIW, I would not even attempt to load 0.4gr off max without starting at least a grain and one-half off and working my way back up. I understand money, time, and distance limitations, but you very well could end up with a bunch of ammo that is either too hot, non-functioning, or of indeterminate accuracy at the very least. There is little worse than loading up a bunch of finely crafted cartridges and finding out the Russian Wolfe ammo is more accurate and functions better.

 

[oneyeopn]

I have been reading all over about loading these hornady 68 gr BTHP and it seems that the best results in a 1-8 barrel have all come in the 2950 to 2990 velocity. I loaded some up last week and the velocities were 2911 to 2953, the faster it went the better it did. I am just trying to take short cuts instead of loading groups of 10 and taking them out and shooting them. I want the 68 grain to work for me when taking 300yard+ shots, not benchrest per se but coyotes off of a bipod. I cannot find actual data that says hornady 68 gr match BTHP and CFE223. So I have been reading accurate loads for other people using a 1-8 barrel but because of the powder I am using I was trying to find some other commonality with the 68gr Hornady bullet and that was one commonality that they all shared.

 

[oneyeopn]

You guys are making a lot of sense, thank you for your patience and for listening to my rants. I will work them up from the bottom. It is just frustrating to not have definitive load info for a new powder. But it rocks in my 55 grain V-Max and Z-Max loads but I stopped a full grain underneath max because they work super good there. .6" 3 shot groups @ 100yards.
I will listen Thanks again

 

[fredj338]

BC really has little to do with your load data. WHile bullets are not plug & play, using data for a 69gr bullet is fine for a 68gr bullet, just start low & work up. IMO, there is no such thing as definitive load data, every gun is diff when approaching max loads. Regardless, you still have to work the loads up.

 

[Rule3]

Leroy Jethro Gibbs: "Don't believe what you're told. Double check".

Works very well when hand loading ammo.

Absolutely for hand loading!

There are another 49 or 50 to live by , it keeps changing.

But seriously as it is a new powder, the data will not be out in print and they have not tested it with all loads. Their techs will advise you on where to start. Their company is very pro helping reloaders and actually care. I have called them several times and one of them posts here on occasion.

In looking at the on line data, "if it was me" I would use the data listed for that Sierra 69 gr bullet at the start load and adjust the oal to fit your chamber and head spacing. Of course checking with Hodgdon