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55 gr. Hornady V max with CFE223?

Shawn R.

Hey all,
Noob searching for min-max load data... no matter where ive looked, I cant seem to find any data for this combo.
For what its worth,
This is what I have on hand to use going into a build im finishing... PSA 10.5 AR Pistol.
Finding any .223/5.56 store bought is rough and I have this all on hand.
Primers will either be Rem 7 1/2's or CCI 450, my thought being the CCI 450 magnums would be better used with the CFE223 ball powder?
Someone please help me out with the start and Max recommended. My upper gets here the end of the week and Id like to have something loaded to break in the new build. Much appreciated!
 
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5spd said:
Hodgon reloading site has your answer, just extrapolate the 55g data, start at 26g
Click to expand...
Thank you, I checked on there, and it only comes up with data for 55 GR. BAR TSX FB or Speer SP. Both with different OAL lengths and starting grains. Ive read in a few places CFE has a tendency to pressure spike, fast, and being new to reloading hoped to come across something more definitive. Limit running into error or concern while also factoring in its a brand new upper and wont be 100% sold on its reliability until it has a few rounds through it and can know it characteristics better. I would break it in with factory ammo, but I just dont have the availability locally to be found.
 
Rustytigwire said:
Good people on this forum sent me here. Good read.
And
For the AR loads from the link above
Click to expand...
Appreciate it, ive read through there a couple times while preparing and gathering to get started. Always worth reading again. Unfortunately it really dosent help with the situation im standing in... figuring out what the proper load for the components I have at my bench to load correct/ safe rounds.
 
Hornadys 10th manual lists the starting charge as 24.8 Gr CFE223 and a max charge of 27.4 Gr, That is in a bolt action. Since you’ve described yourself as a “noob”, I would set YOUR maximum at 26.5 grains. Do not exceed that unless you know what to look for in excessive pressure signs.
 
CFE223 is a great powder for that bullet and all of my personal testing (20" ar) showed the best accuracy and velocity was with the cci#450 primer, even with several different 55gr bullets. However, You would be much better suited with a faster burning powder when using this in a AR pistol with such a short barrel (10.5"). You'll likely be way over-gassed and burn 50% of the powder outside of the barrel with a spectacular flame and noise to go with it! ; ) Do some looking around on the web into ar pistol load data. Benchmark, W748 and BL-C (2) seem to be pretty popular powders.

Dan
 
riflewoman said:
Hornadys 10th manual lists the starting charge as 24.8 Gr CFE223 and a max charge of 27.4 Gr, That is in a bolt action. Since you’ve described yourself as a “noob”, I would set YOUR maximum at 26.5 grains. Do not exceed that unless you know what to look for in excessive pressure signs.
Click to expand...
Very much appreciated, just to confirm, is this lusting the 55 gr Vmax or an equivalent? I have no personal insight to pressure signs just what I have researched to watch for ie. Case neck, head and primer.
Thank you
 
dantiff2 said:
CFE223 is a great powder for that bullet and all of my personal testing (20" ar) showed the best accuracy and velocity was with the cci#450 primer, even with several different 55gr bullets. However, You would be much better suited with a faster burning powder when using this in a AR pistol with such a short barrel (10.5"). You'll likely be way over-gassed and burn 50% of the powder outside of the barrel with a spectacular flame and noise to go with it! ; ) Do some looking around on the web into ar pistol load data. Benchmark, W748 and BL-C (2) seem to be pretty popular powders.

Dan
Click to expand...
Thank you Dan,
These first 100 or so will mainly be break in/ function check rounds. So accuracy isnt my primary. I know the groupings will change after inital wear in breaking in the barrel and action. These will also be loaded with that in mind; as it is what I have at home at the moment. A safe and consistent "bang". After that I plan to step up the bullet weight into the 70 gr realm and put more focus into the powder selection with that. The CFE was bought on a whim being the only thing on the shelf at that time that could be used in both .223 and 308. Then researched and regretted a bit when i learned of its pressure spikes and temp sensitivity issues. I have it, so I might as well use it up. Plus I do like that it is cleaner burning for break in purposes.
 
Thank you all for the help...
Reading the responses, it seems 25-27 grain even spread, maybe in .5 and .2 steps, will be safe to go with. Loading 10 of each and working up.

What would be the recommended OAL length I should achieve with the 55 gr V Max? Hodgdon has the 60 gr vmax at C.O.L.2.250? For the 2 that they list in 55 gr. (Not the V Max) its 2.18 and 2.20... id like to believe 2.20 is good to go... but can someone confirm what is should actually be please
 
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Shawn R. said:
Very much appreciated, just to confirm, is this lusting the 55 gr Vmax or an equivalent? I have no personal insight to pressure signs just what I have researched to watch for ie. Case neck, head and primer.
Thank you
Click to expand...
It is their load data for all lead core 55 grain bullets. It doesn’t matter whether they’re VMax, SP or FMJBT. The 55GMX is kept separate because they are solid copper.
 
New handloader here bumping this for an update. I have read this thread along with others, and also referenced the AR-15 adjusted load data from Sierra : http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

I have 2 lbs of this and am ready to start working up my first loads. 55 gn Hornady FMJ BT is the bullet I will be using and I have 1,000 each of CCI 41, 400 and Fed 205 primers. I have a chrono that i will be using

This thread along with others like this one https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/-/42-367574/&page=1 reference charges WAY higher than the recommended loads on the Sierra sheet - and actually CFE 223 isn't even listed on the Sierra sheet but similar powders like H335 suggest min loads starting in the mid 23ish.

Hoping to find some examples of actual loads that have worked with CFE 223 and / or advice on a starting minimum. My handloading objective starting out is to just develop a consistent load to use while I practice improving my shooting skills. Accuracy is not the primary concern this first go round. Thanks in advance.
 
Shawn R. said:
Thank you all for the help...
Reading the responses, it seems 25-27 grain even spread, maybe in .5 and .2 steps, will be safe to go with. Loading 10 of each and working up.

What would be the recommended OAL length I should achieve with the 55 gr V Max? Hodgdon has the 60 gr vmax at C.O.L.2.250? For the 2 that they list in 55 gr. (Not the V Max) its 2.18 and 2.20... id like to believe 2.20 is good to go... but can someone confirm what is should actually be please
Click to expand...

You are using a short barrel... The loads stated in Load Manuals are usually based on 24" barrel (stated in fine print in the manual). You are not going to be able to achieve this type of velocity. I would start out at the Minimum Charge of 24.7gr (Hodgdon load center for 55gr bullet). You should shoot it over a chrono to record the velocity. Since you are breaking in barrel and just having fun with first 100 bullets then why not do some load tests for your barrel. The question is how much CFE223 powder will your 10" barrel burn? Let's call this the "Effective" Max charge weight for your short barrel. If you have access to Quickloads then you can get an easy predictor... or you can do it old school and have funny breaking in your barrel.

Start out at 22.0gr and increase by 0.5gr increments up to 26.5gr. Load up 5 rounds at each of the 10 different charge weight (50 rounds in total). This will give you some nice breaks to clean your barrel during break in. You will most likely discover that at some point that the velocity flattens out even though the charge weight continues to increase.... and the blast starts getting louder as unburned excess powder ignites in a glorious ball of flame at the muzzle.

If the velocity remains relatively constant across all of the charge weights then the "Effective" Max charge weight was actually less than the starting 22gr load.... repeat process starting at lower charge weight.

Now that you have determined the "Effective" Max charge weight (upper end of powder charge) you can start dialing in on the optimal charge (accuracy) for this barrel with the remaining 50 rounds to load.

Have fun doing a "Science Project"!!!!
 
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