H4895 and 80.5 gr Berger question

[WindSurgeon]

This is your starting point: http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

My favorite 80 grain load is 23.9 grains of Varget using Lapua brass and CCI Benchrest primer. I have used LC brass successfully as well. 8 twist bull barrel with military 5.56 chamber. This is a great load out to 600 yards.

Second powder choice is RE-15 if Varget is not available. They perform similarly/almost exactly the same.

 

[Brians356]

brians356,
COAL is 2.260 and the Bullet overall length (BOAL) is 1.083 for our 80.5 grain .224 Match Fullbore bullet.

Thanks. FWIW the magazine in my short action R700 measures 2.370". Not sure what the minimum magazine freespace would be, obviously the rounds shouldn't be an "interference fit".

So I was obviously dead wrong on Hodgdon's COAL of 2.550", the R600 action they (and Sierra) used for that testing is obviously not set up for feeding from a short-action magazine.

 

[barefooter56]

brians356,
You will probably get better accuracy by starting on the lands and working back in .002-.005 increments and forget the magazine length. This is a very long bullet. If you have or want to use the magazine box go to our 77 grain OTM Tactical bullet.
Hope this helps.

 

[Brians356]

brians356,
You will probably get better accuracy by starting on the lands and working back in .002-.005 increments and forget the magazine length. This is a very long bullet. If you have or want to use the magazine box go to our 77 grain OTM Tactical bullet.
Hope this helps.

I'm sure you wanted to direct that advice to the OP, as I am not loading any of the 80.5s, or any heavier than 50 grains for that matter.

 

[manitou210]

Never work a lot with H4895 but might give it a try again to get ES down better than varget
There a 5 guys shooting F class in my area using 1/7 twist at 30"and the load they all use
Varget 24.7
BR 4
Lapua Neck turned and LC Brass
Just Kissing
2950 fps
001 to 002" at 100 yards
at 300 y in good conditions 5 shot groups .500 to 1 " and the odd 3 shot group like this

manitou