Proper Load Data for .223 and CFE223

[kbm6893]

I'm about to get into loading .223 ammo. I have 55 grain FMJ bullets coming and I've chosen CFE223 as my powder. I put that info into the Hodgson site and it came back with two loads:

55 grain BAR TSX FB, starting load of 24.7 grains and a COAL of 2.180

55 grain SPR SP, starting load of 26 grains and a COAL of 2.200

I have some books I will check but I figure I'd start here. First of all, I have no idea what types of bullets were listed on that site. I just load for plinking and bought a 55 grain FMJ. Second of all, could I use either of those recipes with the bullet I have. I intent to load just over minimum powder. I will load up a few, to see if they pass before I settle on a recipe.

Thanks for any help!!

 

[AManWearingAHat]

What platform are you shooting these out of? What bullets are you planning on using? Do you know how long your rifle's throat is?

The main difference is the SPR SP was loaded longer and has a .4 grain higher max listed which might account for the slightly higher starting loads. Either starting load should be safe in any in spec .223 chamber. Work up as normal. If it was me I would use 27.5 as my max.

Any reason in particular why you're set on using a minimum load?

 

[muddocktor]

OK, the first bullet, the BAR TSX FB is a Barnes lead free bullet. Here is a link to the bullet on Midway <<<LINK>>>

The second bullet is most probably a Speer 55 grain spitzer point. Here is a link to Midway for the bullet I am referring to. <<<LINK>>>

If loading a lead free bullet, I would go with the Barnes data set. If your FMJ bullets have a lead core, go with the Speer dataset.

If you start with minimum loads, either datasets would work. If you are loading for the AR platform and 5.56 x 45, any 223 data should be safe, because the gun is good for 60,000+ psi loads of 5.56 ammo.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

The Hornady 9th edition starts at 24.8 grns and maxes out at 27.4. The bullets include 55 Vmax, 55 FMJ, 55sp,and their 55grn sp SX. My plinking load for my AR15 is 26.0 gr with the Hornady 55 grn fmj.

 

[kbm6893]

It’s a 55 grain fmj from 223bulkbullets.com. I’ll be shooting them out of my M&P Sport 2. Reason for a minimum load is I’m just looking to punch paper and why waste powder? I’ll probably bump It a bit from minimum but definitely nowhere near max.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Use the second listing, the one with the Speed soft point bullet. I think the first one is using a Barns all copper bullet.

 

[Jerry M]

Here:

Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading

 

[kbm6893]

Here:

Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading

I already checked that site. It’s where I got the data I posted in the original post.

 

[AtomHeartMother]

For information only(standard disclaimer). I've found 25.5 gns of CFE223 most accurate in my S&W sport. OAL 2.200, 55 grain boat tail and standard base. Mostly Xtreme bullets. YMMV

 

[Univibe]

I would not worry about "wasting powder" and loading minimal velocity loads.

That rifle is made to shoot 5.56 spec ammo. I use Hornady 55 grain bulk FMJ and Ramshot TAC powder. When I was working up loads with the chrono, I noticed that the best accuracy was right around .223 SAAMI velocity, i.e. around 3175 fps out of the 20" rifle length barrel. The slower loads were markedly less accurate, and accuracy increased as the powder charge increased. To a point. Pushing it up to NATO velocity made the standard deviation increase, and the groups open up a bit. That was just my experience; yours may differ.

But don't be afraid to run that rifle like it was made to do. A good hot load will function the rifle action correctly.

Remember: That's a NATO chamber so seat your bullets to M193 overall length, not .223 civilian overall length.

 

[typetwelve]

The Hornady 9th edition starts at 24.8 grns and maxes out at 27.4. The bullets include 55 Vmax, 55 FMJ, 55sp,and their 55grn sp SX. My plinking load for my AR15 is 26.0 gr with the Hornady 55 grn fmj.

This is the data I'm using. Hodgdon typically has really solid data, but their 55g 223 data is pretty lackluster and uses really weird projectiles. Especially the 55g Hornady FMJ data where they list Trailboss, Tightgroup, and Clays...super strange.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

This is the data I'm using. Hodgdon typically has really solid data, but their 55g 223 data is pretty lackluster and uses really weird projectiles. Especially the 55g Hornady FMJ data where they list Trailboss, Tightgroup, and Clays...super strange.

This data is for shooting subsonic, probably thru a suppressor. Does not cycle the action on an AR; have to be loaded "single shot"

 

[Rule3]

What platform are you shooting these out of? What bullets are you planning on using? Do you know how long your rifle's throat is?

The main difference is the SPR SP was loaded longer and has a .4 grain higher max listed which might account for the slightly higher starting loads. Either starting load should be safe in any in spec .223 chamber. Work up as normal. If it was me I would use 27.5 as my max.

Any reason in particular why you're set on using a minimum load?

???????????

First you say any "start" load should be fine then ask why using min powder?


General safe loading practice is preached as start at min an work up (as you stated)??
The OP is new to the caliber.


Fir the OP did you buy a Hornady or Speer manual yet??

 

[bluetopper]

CFE223 comes in to it's own and really shines the closer to max you get. Experimenting with it I was surprised at how slow burning it is for its name. It's great for larger cartridges too like 22-250.

 

[kbm6893]

???????????

First you say any "start" load should be fine then ask why using min powder?


General safe loading practice is preached as start at min an work up (as you stated)??
The OP is new to the caliber.


Fir the OP did you buy a Hornady or Speer manual yet??

I have the Hornady. No mention of a 55 grain fmj bullet. But the load data that came with the Lee die set has it listed at 26 grains to start, I believe. Which is why I intend to start at just a hair over that and weigh every charge as always.

 

[Rule3]

I have the Hornady. No mention of a 55 grain fmj bullet. But the load data that came with the Lee die set has it listed at 26 grains to start, I believe. Which is why I intend to start at just a hair over that and weigh every charge as always.

And I seem to remember someone just starting out and learning to load 38 special!

 

[68Dave]

My gun liked 26.7 grains for the 55 grain bullets. I had been loading at 26.0 and saw the groups tighten up after the bump. It may just be paper, but it’s more fun to shoot clover leaf groups and worth the additional powder.
David

 

[bluetopper]

I have the Hornady. No mention of a 55 grain fmj bullet. But the load data that came with the Lee die set has it listed at 26 grains to start, I believe. Which is why I intend to start at just a hair over that and weigh every charge as always.

Why weigh every charge? If I had a powder measure that threw such inconsistent charges that I had to weigh every one, I'd get another one.

 

[AManWearingAHat]

???????????

First you say any "start" load should be fine then ask why using min powder?


General safe loading practice is preached as start at min an work up (as you stated)??
The OP is new to the caliber.


Fir the OP did you buy a Hornady or Speer manual yet??

Yes I am asking why he is so sold on using just over the minimum load listed in his manual when that is almost never the accuracy load for a given combination. Test over the whole range and find what prints well. I'm saying if it was me interpreting his data 27.5 would be my absolute max for my test. What is unclear here?

 

[Rule3]

Yes I am asking why he is so sold on using just over the minimum load listed in his manual when that is almost never the accuracy load for a given combination. Test over the whole range and find what prints well. I'm saying if it was me interpreting his data 27.5 would be my absolute max for my test. What is unclear here?

I already stated the reason in the post you quoted. It is not hard to understand.
At this point in his reloading he is and should be starting at the min load. It is a 'best practice"

OK?