223 rem reloading question

[bobcat93]

hello, as I'm sure this topic has been post before i need a little guidance from experience please.
i recently parchased a lot of lake city 08 brass at a good price. so far i have deprime, full length sized, trimed to 1.75", uniformed primer pockets. ultra sonic cleaned just about ready to load
i will be shooting through my AR-15, 22" krieger bbl. 1-9 twist 223 rem chamber.
my reloading componets consist of the following
lake city 08 brass - as noted above
69gr nosler custom comp HPBT
rem. 7 1/2 BR primer
IMR XBR powder
so my question is ... if i use 556 brass what is my safe start powder charge weight
min. 21gr / max 23.8gr according to hodgdon on line load data..do i start at 21 and do ladder test?
thank

 

[bigedp51]

(Using 5.56 mm NATO pressure data Quickload, case capacity 30.4 grains H2O)

Cartridge : 5.56 mm NATO - 5.56 x 45 mm
Bullet : .224, 69, Nosler CC HPBT 17101
Useable Case Capaci: 26.731 grain H2O = 1.736 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.255 inch = 57.28 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder : IMR 8208 XBR

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 78 19.28 2363 855 29230 6201 88.6 1.351
-18.0 80 19.76 2418 896 31116 6392 89.8 1.318
-16.0 82 20.24 2474 938 33099 6579 91.0 1.286
-14.0 84 20.73 2529 980 35193 6761 92.0 1.255
-12.0 86 21.21 2584 1023 37418 6936 93.1 1.224
-10.0 88 21.69 2640 1068 39782 7105 94.0 1.190
-08.0 90 22.17 2695 1113 42293 7266 94.9 1.157
-06.0 92 22.65 2750 1158 44963 7420 95.7 1.125
-04.0 94 23.14 2804 1205 47802 7565 96.5 1.095
-02.0 96 23.62 2859 1252 50821 7701 97.1 1.065
+00.0 98 24.10 2913 1300 54033 7828 97.8 1.037 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 100 24.58 2967 1349 57454 7946 98.3 1.010 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 102 25.06 3021 1398 61099 8052 98.8 0.983 ! Near Maximum !
+06.0 104 25.55 3074 1448 64986 8148 99.2 0.958 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 106 26.03 3128 1499 69135 8233 99.5 0.933 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 108 26.51 3181 1550 73567 8306 99.7 0.910 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 98 24.10 3040 1416 63745 7716 100.0 0.967 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 98 24.10 2744 1154 44631 7585 91.9 1.128

 

[WindSurgeon]

Yes. Start on the low end and work your way up. LC is tough brass, so you will be good within the range recommended by the manufacturer and probably beyond to some degree. Regardless of what people tell you, and the data they sling from their personal experience, none of that means much in terms of your rifle. Every rifle shoots the same load differently. You will find a node or two on the way up the ladder. If accuracy is not to your liking, change out one component at a time. I would start with the bullet type and weight first, then the powder, then the primer, etc. With a 9 twist, you may head south to something of a 60 grainish weight. My 8 twist shoots anything from 69 to 80 grain well. 62's not so good. Have fun, be safe.

 

[Michaël T]

why using 556 brass, what are your plans with this rifle, for me i go for the accuracy and speed just like everybody else, if you are planning to use your rifle in three gun comp. i would use a lite load so you can return to your target .

xbr 8208 22.0 grains, smk 69 @ 2.25 R7.5

 

[bobcat93]

accuracy.is what i look for..i have a new bbl on the way 7.7 twist kreiger for some 77gr. bullets i got at a good price..I'm not sure if i reload because i love to shoot, or shoot because i love to reload ..thank you for the replies.

 

[mac86951]

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3801628.0

That should answer a lot of your questions. As for Powder starting loads, check out Hodgdon website.

There is a TON of information on working up loads for accuracy on this site. Search the articles for Ladder Testing to start.

-Mac