First attempt to develop a load for the Berger 85.5 with Varget - updated with more testing
- Thread starter dstoenner
- Start date
Terry
Gold $$ Contributor
Top left or even more powder than your highest charge. If you can increase the charge the vertical will go away.
garandman
Bolt Gun Bodacious
I got some 22.8 + loads to test, to get more velocity.
Can you es'splain the logic behind choosing the node? I have read extensively here and elsewhere but the conflicting info Im reading is not making sense.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
Please do a favor of making sure everyone reading this knows you are shooting the 224V and NOT the 223. If some poor soul tried loading 223 off your posts here they would be in trouble.
I know this post was about a bullet more than a cartridge but there is quite a difference in what we glean from your 224V and the OP's 223.
garandman
Bolt Gun Bodacious
Its right on my target card.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
In 223 I started 85.5 testing with 223CFE along the lines of what Hodgdon recommends for an 82 grain. I am off the lands but didn't measure how much. This barrel is a new 6.5 twist Krieger finished at 26". The CFE loads fell way short of my velocity parameters with 23.7 gr only reaching 2505FPS average.
Switching to Varget for the second round of tests, I went from 24.2 up .2 per load to 25 grains Varget using the same CBTO as previous testing. I didn't change it due to the fact all those other loads dealt excellent groups. at 24.2 I saw 2780 FPS average and finished off with 25 grains hitting 2840 FPS. All these numbers are from a new barrel with less than 50 rounds down it so I expect the numbers would increase. Case head expansion and primer pockets showed no over-pressure but the 25 grains did show some vertical with just over .6 MOA for five shots. I am thinking that 25 grains was leaving my node.
I feel there is more room and will see if I can get a little more speed and get into the next node.
Switching to Varget for the second round of tests, I went from 24.2 up .2 per load to 25 grains Varget using the same CBTO as previous testing. I didn't change it due to the fact all those other loads dealt excellent groups. at 24.2 I saw 2780 FPS average and finished off with 25 grains hitting 2840 FPS. All these numbers are from a new barrel with less than 50 rounds down it so I expect the numbers would increase. Case head expansion and primer pockets showed no over-pressure but the 25 grains did show some vertical with just over .6 MOA for five shots. I am thinking that 25 grains was leaving my node.
I feel there is more room and will see if I can get a little more speed and get into the next node.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
I read the entire thread and I saw your target card. Not everyone would so why not whack a few more keys on the keyboard and make sure it is easy for all to understand. Just a suggestion.
The 224V is intriguing but my speedy 22 centerfire is a 26" 7 twist barrel in 22-250 for my AIAW. I starting to think these 85.5's would be an interesting experiment there.
My own 223 testing showed No pressure ( Note I have a Wylde + .082 Freebore throat placing the Pressure ring above the Neck Shoulder junction) signs up to 26 grains of Varget, LC case, Federal Match AR primer and .oo1 Neck tension jumping .020.
30" Barrel. 3 Groove Pac Nor
2887fps at 25.1grians of Varget.
Felt like I was right at the bottom of that Node and will rerun the test at 25.4 or 25.5 grains.
2900fps to 2920fps seems to be a good spot.
what brass are you using?
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
My other 223 is a Krieger 7.7 at 26". I shoot 25.7 gr Varget under the 80 VLD in Lapua brass. Bearing surface always in front of the juncture and bullets just touching lands. My R700 bolt was completely reworked; blueprinted with action, lapped, small firing pin bushing and Sako style extractor. I manage to get six reloads off the brass before it's toast. Even with .0001 bump and regular anneal if I don't lose the primer pockets they separate (no telltale ring appears tho). So, basically I'm loosing 40 FPS with my 26" compared to your 30" and I honestly feel mine will speed up with a few more rounds down the barrel. I do use .002 neck tension and could likely shoot 26 gr with the 80 VLD but not for long.
Mr. Gill,
Thank you for the information. With 24.9 grains N140, match chamber with .169 freebore, .015 jump, Winchester brass, CCI BR primer, Kreiger 1:7 twist, 30 inches. Seven shot test off the bench AVG MV was 2900.32fps, ES 26.12 fps(LabRadar) and SD 8.42. Group off the bench was promising. No primer pocket loosening, primers were flat but rounded, no extraction problems. Glad I am getting close. 25.5grains of N140 comes to the neck/shoulder junction and it is a slightly compressed load. Base of bearing surface is about 3/4 down in the neck. Have not tested beyond 24.9 grains due to weather. Hope to see you at Atterbury next year.
Tom Alves
I just loaded up some 85.5 Berger’s over 24.8 grains of Varget got a nice crunch when I seated the bullet. Got 30 loaded 5 each of 24.8, 24.6, 24.4, 24.2, 24, 23.8. I’ll post the results.
Please post what your Chamber and or Freebore is. It makes a huge difference in this discussion. My .194 Freebore will allow 26Grains of Varget without any crunching as the bullet is seated out farther.
To the folks out there reading this.. Be aware there is huge difference between a Wylde Freebore and what a lot of folks are posting here. Please don't just jump into this without knowing what is what. We are all on the same side here and I would hate for someone to report back with some horrible injury.
Hope this finds you all well.
Russel
dstoenner
Silver $$ Contributor
I agree completely with your analysis of chambers. Mine started life as a Wylde but after 1800 rounds, so far, it has a lot more free bore. With a 223 I don't want the boat tail/bearing surface junction to rise into the neck. The neck is short enough already. But in my first set of testing with Varget, I didn't find any pressure signs all the way to 24.8 nor compressed loads. I also found that these are really hybrids and don't seem to be sensitive to jump. In fact with .050 jump they shot even better. So to meet my criteria I will not load these over 2.570. In my current barrel that is a .020 jump.
David
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.