Hornaday 68 gn. match and n-135 powder federal ar match primers

[williepete]

I just picked up some Hornday 68 gn. match and federal ar match primers
I have n-135 powder anyone have any experience with this combo if so what did you think.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Its the correct burning rate so simply find the barrel's sweet spot. Like you would do with any powder.

Frank

 

[markm87]

I'm running 69gr RMRs with N135 and Wolf SRMs now. I'm having to go 4/10s under max to keep primers in the pocket and minimize swiping. I think 23.8 was max, and I'm at 23.4.

 

[williepete]

I'm running 69gr RMRs with N135 and Wolf SRMs now. I'm having to go 4/10s under max to keep primers in the pocket and minimize swiping. I think 23.8 was max, and I'm at 23.4.

Thanks for the feedback what cartridge are you shooting.

 

[williepete]

Its the correct burning rate so simply find the barrel's sweet spot. Like you would do with any powder.

Frank

Thanks Frank

 

[markm87]

Thanks for the feedback what cartridge are you shooting.

Sorry... I always make the assumption we're talking .223.

 

[williepete]

Sorry... I always make the assumption we're talking .223.

you are correct I was just wondering cause in my lapua cases loaded at 23.1
i get a compressed load with the hornaday 68 gn bullets I have to drop down to 21.1 before it is not compressed.

 

[markm87]

you are correct I was just wondering cause in my lapua cases loaded at 23.1
i get a compressed load with the hornaday 68 gn bullets I have to drop down to 21.1 before it is not compressed.

Wow. That's less powder than I tried with 77 gr Nosler CCs. I'm running mostly LC brass, and I've not tried any of my Lapua with this load. But I don't have any noticeable compression. I should qualify that with I'm not hearing any crunch. The bullet could be displacing the powder some, but not a noticeable compression.

 

[jlorenzo]

you are correct I was just wondering cause in my lapua cases loaded at 23.1
i get a compressed load with the hornaday 68 gn bullets I have to drop down to 21.1 before it is not compressed.

I've noticed Lapua has less case capacity than LC, or at least hits pressure sooner.

 

[williepete]

Wow. That's less powder than I tried with 77 gr Nosler CCs. I'm running mostly LC brass, and I've not tried any of my Lapua with this load. But I don't have any noticeable compression. I should qualify that with I'm not hearing any crunch. The bullet could be displacing the powder some, but not a noticeable compression.

I am just guessing but are you running a bolt gun and seating the bullet out far?
I am running a gas gun and the col is 2.250 the base of the bullet is setting below the shoulder and down into the body.

 

[williepete]

Let me do a little update I don't want to say compressed but at 21.8 the bullet is sitting on top of the powder!
I did some checking the Nosler 77 gn. oal is 0.980 the 68 gn. Hornaday oal is 0.991 it is a long bullet.

 

[markm87]

I am just guessing but are you running a bolt gun and seating the bullet out far?
I am running a gas gun and the col is 2.250 the base of the bullet is setting below the shoulder and down into the body.

No. I load 77s and 69s so they run in ARs and the Bolt guns. It's bulk target ammo that we can grab and run in anything.

 

[williepete]

I finally got to shoot this combo yesterday sweet spot an the 10 round ladder test was at 21.8 gn. but velocity was 2436 fps seems a little low but this is my first time shooting a 68 gn. bullet what say you.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Sounds like you need more powder. I remember the V8 AMU load was 23.5 N135 80SMK at 2.490 oal. Are you using any kind of drop tube when you fill the case? There is nothing wrong with compressed charges.

 

[markm87]

Again, I'm running 23.4 gr with a 69gr RMR and a mild primer.... so the AR match might might make that charge too much. N135 isn't giving me the fastest velocities, but it's good stuff and clean burning.

I loaded a few to Max, which was 23.8 gr, and it was swiping and popping a few primers. I had to back off .4 gr. I could check my velocities later at the house.

 

[williepete]

Sounds like you need more powder. I remember the V8 AMU load was 23.5 N135 80SMK at 2.490 oal. Are you using any kind of drop tube when you fill the case? There is nothing wrong with compressed charges.

No drop tube thanks for the feed back on the compressed charges

 

[williepete]

Again, I'm running 23.4 gr with a 69gr RMR and a mild primer.... so the AR match might might make that charge too much. N135 isn't giving me the fastest velocities, but it's good stuff and clean burning.

I loaded a few to Max, which was 23.8 gr, and it was swiping and popping a few primers. I had to back off .4 gr. I could check my velocities later at the house.

Thanks Iam going to up the charge would like to know what velocities you had my barrel is a 16 inch with a 1.7 twist

 

[markm87]

For standarization, we chrono all .223 out of the same 20" Rem 700. I'll post everything I have recorded with this powder. There's at least 3 or 4 loads.

 

[williepete]

For standarization, we chrono all .223 out of the same 20" Rem 700. I'll post everything I have recorded with this powder. There's at least 3 or 4 loads.

I appreciate ya

 

[markm87]

Barrel length	Bullet Wt	Bullet Make	Charge Wt	Powder	Velocity	S.D.
20​	69​	RMR	23.4​	N135	2781​	10​
20​	77​	TMK	22.5​	N135	2667​	7​
23.75​	88​	ELD	23.0​	N135	2720​	12​
23.75​	88​	ELD	23.5​	N135	2775​	10​

I forgot I'd tried the 88s in the longer Tikka barrel, so I included that info too. Those are loaded long (2.50").