223 60gr vmax

[tommeboy]

I have a bunch of these. I just put a new Criterion SS 223 1-9tw 26" on my Savage Axis. It really likes the Speer 52hpbt match bullet. I want to try the 60gr next. But there is some conflicting load data out there between what Hodgdon shows and what Hornady shows. I also have a fair amount of Varget so that is what I was going to try.

Hodgdon starts their load data where Hornady stops their data. Hornady stops at 24.9gr while Hodgdon starts at 25 and goes to 27gr.

I also have brand new Starline brass And I am going to use FGMM primers. Everyone elses data shows about what Honady shows for a 60gr bullet. So how would Hodgdon have more than a 2gr higher charge?

 

[Camper]

My hornady manual uses a 26 inch barrel and the hodgdon lists a 15" barrel. "
Twist: 1:12.000"
Barrel Length: 15.000"
Trim Length: 1.750"

I looked up loads for 5.56 in the hornady which uses a 20 inch barrel and they don't list Varget as a powder.

I'm thinking it is the barrel length that is the reason for the differences.

 

[jelenko]

The length of the barrel shouldn't make a difference in the max safe load.

You could call/email Hornady tech support.
You could also load one each at .5gr increments - starting around the middle of the Hornady load range

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Hodgdon goes to 27.5 with Varget (compressed load) so I doubt you can over pressure with anything under compressed weight. I'm running 23 gr of H322, out of a 18" 1/8" AR. I haven't chronographed it, as it was accurate and cycled(ejected) properly. With the Hornady 60 vmax.

 

[sneakboxer]

For a point of reference and sanity check you can use Sierra's data on the 223 page here. Looks like 26.7 for the bolt load and 27.1 for an AR VarGet and the 60gr varminter. But when in doubt start low and work up. The 60gr Vmax and 24gr of Benchmark shoots very for me. Good luck

 

[KMW 1954]

I am in the middle of developing the 60gr VMAX in a Savage model12, 26", 1:9 twist and have been using TAC and Accurate 2460. Best load for me with the TAC has been in the 22.5 to 22.7 range and the A2460 has been in the 22.3 to 23.0gr but I haven't had a chance to work it much. Here is a recent target shot at 200 yards. The center targets were fouler and sighters. The low circled shots on the 2460 were done before adjusting scope.

 

[tommeboy]

My hornady manual uses a 26 inch barrel and the hodgdon lists a 15" barrel. "
Twist: 1:12.000"
Barrel Length: 15.000"
Trim Length: 1.750"

I looked up loads for 5.56 in the hornady which uses a 20 inch barrel and they don't list Varget as a powder.

I'm thinking it is the barrel length that is the reason for the differences.

You clicked the pistol load data on Hodgdon. The rifle data uses a 24"barrel. The load data s the same BTW.

 

[K22]

I always tend to go with the bullet manufacture's data if it is available. I also never start at the maximum charge. I usually start at the mid charge point, work up slowly, carefully looking for any pressure signs.

I too have noticed that the Hodgdon charge data tends to be higher for a lot of loads than from other sources. This is one of the frustrating issues for relatively new reloaders. This is why it is always good to have several loading manuals to compare data.

I've been using the 60 Vmax is my three Tikka's 223 Rems, 8" twist and they shoot in the 1/2 to sub 1/2 moa range with both Varget and H 4895. All I can say is that the Hodgdon max data for Varget for the 60 Vmax is too high for my rifles.

 

[chutem]

Love the 60 gr vmax in my 9 twist .223 and 12 twist .22-250, they are hammers. I used the Hodgdon data with Varget with no problem, but probably not max. Not around my loading bench, so can't check right now.

 

[F224]

I have used this bullet for years. The BlackHills factory reman ammo is a great baseline, it shoots sub .6moa in several of my rifles. My go too powder is Varget.

 

[Shifty6br]

I ran 26gr Varget under the 60 vmax for a little while.mostly in my 16" and a 12.5" sbr gas guns. Velocity was quite a bit slower than I liked for the somewhat lighter 60gr and 26gr being compressed I decided chasing velocity at that point was not worth the squeeze. No pressure signs of sorts just slow.

I swapped out to h335 and never looked back.

 

[long40shot]

I use Benchmark in my 223 with the 60s, great accuracy!

 

[Alguapo]

For the 60 Grn. Vmax's my Savage 9 twist really liked the W 748 . They hit really hard. Tiny groups.

 

[Cfshooter]

I like shooters world Precision with my 60 vmax