Zip there are so many in this forum that know so much more than I do, I just have time to read everything I can get my hands on and then try to incorporate it into my reloading. Like you I have worked in various industries and have learned a lot of practical things that translate over.
To Re-Load or Not???
- Thread starter stavman11
- Start date
I went out shooting yesterday to test some bullets and to put some rounds through both my Sport and BuffaloHunter60's Sport. I was shooting 55gr Hornady V-max, Z-max, and Nosler Varmageddon's plus MidSouths Varmint Nightmare Extreme HP's. Sorry I dont remember which target is which this morning or actually which rifle shot them. BH60's has a CMC trigger and after shooting it I was having to use every bit of my training to get a smooth straight trigger pull when I shot mine. When I can afford it a new trigger is in my future. There is such a difference that it is incomparable. So the loads are all 27.4gr CFE223, Wolf Primers, COL 2.250". These targets are from both rifles. The first 3 are sighting in at 50 and then the next are shooting at 100. No bipod, using a front rest and a rear bag under the pistol grip.
there are more pics, but these are really representative of the shooting yesterday.
there are more pics, but these are really representative of the shooting yesterday.
Bill;
Since the New 5.56 Data, I have been loading almost everyday. Now that I have data that works, and loads that are accurate I am loading everything I can to those specs. For the time being I am not loading any other weight but 55gr. I tried a couple of different loads for 68gr BTHP yesterday and after 6 shots 3 of each I gave up and came home and pulled the other 12. They were all over the place and not necessarily on the paper. I will have to load 5 of each through their range and see what works best but with the holidays coming and family shooting sessions I need to have all the bullets that I can. LOL
I have decided to get down to one bullet for a while, I am going to concentrate on the Varmint Nightmare x-treme 55 gr HP from Midsouth. The ones I have shot were extremely accurate. 1/2" groups at 100 yds. I( feel with a slight amount of tweeking I can get 5 shot 1 holers out of them. I ordered 1000 of them this morning. they are inexpensive and very accurate for target shooting and excellent for varmints. What better could you ask for ?
I read about them on varmint and predator sights and everyone loves them.
I read about them on varmint and predator sights and everyone loves them.
I shot some of them yesterday, one of the 100 yard targets is with them. They are outstanding the Nosler Varmageddon has the same profile and I am going to be shooting more of them myself and ordering more of both next month.
I have found a load with the CFE223 that seems to shoot all the 55gr bullets I have shot with it extremely well, that is if I do my part. Tonight I am loading the last 55gr bullet that I havent tried with it. Hornady 55gr BTFMJ. I am loading 38 of them and splitting them into 2 20rd mags, to run them in both sports. That should tell me about the load. But at 27.4gr all the bullets I have loaded, V-max, Z-max, Varmageddon, MidSouth Varmint Nightmare Extremes and Dogtown FBHP bullets weighing 55gr have shot exactly where I pointed them as long as I operated the trigger correctly. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and my nephews, brother and I will all go shooting. So I will see how they do for other people tomorrow. I like the Hornady bullets but these Noslers are pretty impressive.
zip777
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Not that I'll be running out to buy a box of 20 for $26 but have you ever shot the Barnes 55gr .223 vor-tx bullets Grover? I was reading that they are a new spin on an old concept. Just curious how they perform. For $26 bucks I'd expect them to load themselves in the mag for me.
zip777
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I understand that. I was reading about their capabilities and then looked at the price. Wow! Way too expensive. To me it looks like these ammo manufacturers are trying to market a SD .223 round to fill the gap created by the 5.56 hornady tap round which can only be obtained by LEO's etc... Try and google the 5.56 tap round. Seems everyone is trying to find them and I'm sure the clever marketing folks have figured that out. No supporting evidence just a hunch!
I have seen some of the TAP rounds available for reloading, but I didnt read the fine print either.
Range report
Winchester 54.9 grain bullets
CCI # 41 primers
CFE 223 powder
54 degrees F, 0 altitude, no wind
26.0 ------2679 avg
26.2-------2771 avg
26.4-------2730 avg
26.6-------2773 avg
26.8-------2810 avg
27.0-------2853 avg
27.2-------2869 avg
27.4-------2928 avg
27.6-------2901 avg
27.8-------2924 avg
28.0-------2983 avg
Freedom reloads for 5.56------2939 avg
I post the rest of the data tomorrow as I am tired and have to go to work at 12 tonight lol
Winchester 54.9 grain bullets
CCI # 41 primers
CFE 223 powder
54 degrees F, 0 altitude, no wind
26.0 ------2679 avg
26.2-------2771 avg
26.4-------2730 avg
26.6-------2773 avg
26.8-------2810 avg
27.0-------2853 avg
27.2-------2869 avg
27.4-------2928 avg
27.6-------2901 avg
27.8-------2924 avg
28.0-------2983 avg
Freedom reloads for 5.56------2939 avg
I post the rest of the data tomorrow as I am tired and have to go to work at 12 tonight lol
I have settled at the 27.4gr for my 55gr reloads and my average velocity at 68 degrees was 2935fps, at 27.6 I had 2969 and at 27.8 I had 3000 at 28gr I had a fall off back to 2975. That is when I noticed that it wasnt burning all the powder also.
What kind of crimp do you use?
What primer are you using also?
What kind of crimp do you use?
What primer are you using also?
I use a heavy crimp 3/4 turn on a lee crimper and CCI # 41 primers. I saw similar scorch pitting on the bayonet at 28 but I want to try 28.2, 28.4, 28.6 and 28.8 next time its nice here just to see what they will do as 28 isnt close to the military round speed of 3150 so I doubt it would be over-pressured until I surpass that mark.
Sorry I havent been on much but things got a bit busy here and I had a streak of bad luck lol.
Sorry I havent been on much but things got a bit busy here and I had a streak of bad luck lol.
Sorry about your streak of bad luck!! The speed that you are looking for as I understand it is comeing from the long barreled M16 series rifles. I have pushed the powder as far as I can and have made it to 3000fps but not accurately. After I looked it up and read about it, the speeds that are being advertised are out of a 20 or 24" barrel. I do not remember at this time. so I gave up trying to get those speeds out of my Sport. Please watch out when you start seeing unburnt powder coming out of the holes in the side of your BCG you may be at the limit. I started getting that at 28 plus was loosing my accuracy. But if you find that you can get the speeds they advertise please let me know. I am more than willing to try again.
I just looked at the Ballistics for the M193 bullets...3165fps out of a 20" barrel 78ft from the muzzle.
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why is it important to get max velocity equal to a military round ? Hand loads are far more accurate than factory loads. I don't see where the difference in velocity makes much difference if you are getting 1/2" groups. Does it make that much difference if your bullet is getting 3100 or 2900 fps ?
