Developing a 80gr SMK-H4895 load. could use a little advice

[Linko]

I am shooting a 200-500 yd range.

The rifle:
AR-X billet upper
Kreiger 1-7.7 twist 20" barrel
223 min chamber
Bob Sled Single round adapter
Stoney Point w/80SMK - 1.8460 to lands

The load:
Sierra 80gr MK
LC Brass
WSR primer
H4895

(Sierra load manual for magazine coal of 2.550) = 20.7 - 22.9

I could use a recommendation for a starting powder load range. I was planning to use a CBTO of 1.8260

 

[wapiti25]

I use Varget and AA 4064 with the 80 SMK for 600 yds.

 

[jsthntn247]

23.7gr of 4895 in new lapua. 23.3 in once fired gives 2950 in 24" 7 twist.

 

[Linko]

My Kreiger has a min SAMMI 223 chamber.
The SMK 80gr touches lands at 1.846 CBTO using the stoney point
Loading to 1.826 (.020 jump) I have a COAL of 2.414
The Sierra manual (ar-15) load data using a Colt HBAR 20" Recommends a COAL of 2.550
This sets my bullet base deeper than Sierra's in the Colt HBAR (which is chambered longer than SAMMI)
So I plan to load at the Sierra manual min of 20.7gr H4895 and work up looking for pressure signs along the way.
(Single load with a Bob Sled)

My question. Do I have a solid plan?

 

[Zero333]

You're good to go in my opinion.

H-4895 is a good powder for gas guns. Hodgdon shows 24 gr MAX in a bolt gun 2.550" coal so 23 gr would be my MAX in a gas gun.

 

[Park ranger]

In my AR wylde chamber, 24.0 of H4895 give me 2700 fps with an 80. Seated about .020" off. Start lower if you got a short chamber/throat.

 

[dsinfour]

My bolt gun with 7.8 twist likes 23.5 of H4895 but likes varget a little better with 25.2 grains with a 80 grain pill..But you know the drill and start lower and check for pressure... Also keep them all in the center of the target....

 

[Berger.Fan222]

I've had success over the years starting at the bottom of the recommend load range and working my way to the top in 0.5 grain increments. Once I find the most accurate load among those, I tweak the OAL and often find a bit more accuracy. I've found the loads in the manuals to be fairly good places to start (min) and stop (max). If I was married to a specific OAL, I'd probably take smaller steps in the powder charge, but I think my current approach allows me to converge on accurate loads more quickly.

 

[37Lincoln1]

.5 grain jump is pretty large for a 223.

 

[swadiver]

1 in 7.7 twist, 28" Bartlein .223, throated fairly long, not sure of the freebore, but the C.O.A.L is 2.471" with 80.5 gn Berger Fullbores.

23.0 grs H4895 moderate accuracy load (2820 fps mv), 24.1 grs H4895 hotter accuracy load (2990 fps mv). hammers out to 600 yds

another powder i have had good luck with is IMR 8208 XBR. moderate load of 22.3 grs with the same COAL also very accurate but just under 2800 fps mv

 

[swadiver]

1 in 7.7 twist, 28" Bartlein .223, throated fairly long, not sure of the freebore, but the C.O.A.L is 2.471" with 80.5 gn Berger Fullbores.

23.0 grs H4895 moderate accuracy load (2820 fps mv), 24.1 grs H4895 hotter accuracy load (2990 fps mv). hammers out to 600 yds

another powder i have had good luck with is IMR 8208 XBR. moderate load of 22.3 grs with the same COAL also very accurate but just under 2800 fps mv

oops! just noticed your shooting a Krieger barreled AR with the .223 min chamber. disregard these loads i listed. my bad

 

[Vicodan]

I shoot the 80g Nosler Custom Comp from my AR. 24.7g of Alliant 2000-MR gives me dime sized 20 shot groups at 100 yards. I seat to mag length, 2.26".