Reloading Hornady73 grain for AR

[Stosh123]

Has anyone any experience loading 73 grain Hornady with 22 grains of Varget for a .223 AR. A friend asked for this particular load, but I’m concerned that the bullet is compressing the powder and since this is for a .223 AR, the overall length of the cartridge is 2.50. This is the max length that will fit his clip. It appears that 3/4 of the long bullet is inside the case and may compress the powder. Problem?

 

[AJC]

I've loaded 80s with 24.4 and there is a bunch of crunch. I was much longer but I feel a lot like it's hard to overcharge 223 with varget. If your deforming the bullet then your probably to much. I dont do ar but the 556 has more pressure capacity. Load a short ladder to verify safe before shooting a bunch.

 

[Herzo]

If you're not hearing the crunch with the Berger 73's or 77 SMK's with Varget, you're loading light loads.

 

[Bill K]

E="AJC, post: 37866956, member: 1310477"]I've loaded 80s with 24.4 and there is a bunch of crunch. I was much longer but I feel a lot like it's hard to overcharge 223 with varget. If your deforming the bullet then your probably to much. I dont do ar but the 556 has more pressure capacity. Load a short ladder to verify safe before shooting a bunch.[/QUOTEDo
[QUOT

Don't ever believe that about it being hard to overcharge with Varget.. Know two people that blew up actions on a 223 and a 308 with what they thought were safe overload charges. There is a reason powder manuals have a max charge listed and also a warning to start with their start loads and work up slowly and carefully.

 

[AJC]

E="AJC, post: 37866956, member: 1310477"]I've loaded 80s with 24.4 and there is a bunch of crunch. I was much longer but I feel a lot like it's hard to overcharge 223 with varget. If your deforming the bullet then your probably to much. I dont do ar but the 556 has more pressure capacity. Load a short ladder to verify safe before shooting a bunch.[/QUOTEDo
[QUOT

Don't ever believe that about it being hard to overcharge with Varget.. Know two people that blew up actions on a 223 and a 308 with what they thought were safe overload charges. There is a reason powder manuals have a max charge listed and also a warning to start with their start loads and work up slowly and carefully.

Correct there is always an exception and always an idiot that will find a way. Note I did recommend a ladder but that was not mentioned.

 

[Stosh123]

I've loaded 80s with 24.4 and there is a bunch of crunch. I was much longer but I feel a lot like it's hard to overcharge 223 with varget. If your deforming the bullet then your probably to much. I dont do ar but the 556 has more pressure capacity. Load a short ladder to verify safe before shooting a bunch.

AJC—Is a “short ladder” where I would load several rounds with the 73 gr.Hornady at the 2.50” c.o.a.l.? But with Varget at reduced powder charge such as some @21.0 gr., 21.2 gr., 21.4 gr., on up to 22.0gr., checking each loading for pressure issues? Thanks for everyone’s input. This is a wonderful site for getting others insight.

 

[AJC]

AJC—Is a “short ladder” where I would load several rounds with the 73 gr.Hornady at the 2.50” c.o.a.l.? But with Varget at reduced powder charge such as some @21.0 gr., 21.2 gr., 21.4 gr., on up to 22.0gr., checking each loading for pressure issues? Thanks for everyone’s input. This is a wonderful site for getting others insight.

I would load 2 starting a grain below your desired charge and go up .2 or .3 at a time. That's 10 total test rounds at most looking for any signs of pressure. If you see problems stop... I use 2 for observing possible groups and sd inital observations. If they go in the same hole and have good sd it might be worth coming back to check out. If they are wildly different then I know something is not right. It also gives me a better velosity ladder. More is always better but time cost and barrel life are always factors as well. The main point being saftey and pressure observations with opportunity to gather other useful information.

 

[Hohn]

22.1gr of 8208 was a low node for 73s in my DDM4 and it shot 200-14x at 300 first time I competed with it. It’s slow but killer accurate for an AR at mag length.

 

[Scrumbag]

I struggled to get the 73gr ELD-M to be seated even just touching the lands without crushing a charge of TAC