Load development question

[Texas Solo]

I've just begun load development for my new F/TR rifle in .223. Velocities are real close to what the manufacturer says I should get, but it's too slow for my liking. I'm using a Shilen Select Match barrel in .223 Wylde with 80gr Berger VLD's seated to the lands (not jammed).
My question is if the Wylde chamber affects pressures. Lower of higher?
I'm using PP2000MR, meters great and and a tiny ES of 15fps. (5 shot test) It grouped .440 on a windy day, I'm sure I can do better. But my avg. FPS is only 2880. Alliant does not offer pressure specs in their load data.
I'd really love to kick up the charge to get to a consistent 3000+ FPS, but I'm always leery of exceeding manufacturer specs. Am I correct is assuming that the factory specs are on the conservative side? I've seen ZERO pressure signs at the 25.0gr max charge listed.
Thanks for any advice you can share.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

2880FPS with an 80 gr bullet in a 26 inch barrel is about as fast as you can safely shoot it. The Alliant site does show 25.1 as maximum for that bullet weight and I would not go any further. Just because you do not see pressure signs doesn't mean that you are not at maximum. When pressure signs show up you are already over max. Only a chrono should be relied on for "pressure signs," and you are right where you need to be for a max load. You will get good case life, however a Wylde chamber would not be my first choice for F-T/R, but you have what you have.

 

[Texas Solo]

Why not the Wylde chamber for F/TR? I was told the Wylde was a better choice for the longer 80 & 90 grain bullets.
Original question: does a Wylde chamber increase/decrease pressure over the standard .223 Rem chamber?

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

The Wylde chamber is larger than a tight match chamber. This means you brass will bulge up a little bit more than if you had a tight chamber. In my .223 F-T/R, I went with the Krieger 556 NATO match chamber. This chamber is tight but very long for my 80 grain bullets. Of course, all my Lapua brass that had been fired in my previous Wylde chambered-rifle would not chamber in the Kreiger chamber. Bummer.

I also use a Redding small base bushing die to F/L resize for every load.

If I had to guess, I would say the Wylde chamber, by virtue of if being larger than a true match chamber, probably decreases the pressure somewhat, but I have no clue by how much, nor would I depend on that.

 

[Texas Solo]

Thanks for that explanation. I thought the Wylde was just longer. No biggie to me though as I fire form all my brass and neck size from there. The 5.56 chamber is a neat trick, maybe on the next barrel.

I used a small base die when loading for my old DCM Bushmaster. I felt it best for an autoloader, never had any cambering issues. But I see no reason to use one now in my bolt gun.

Thanks again.

 

[Catfish]

With a 223 case your really pushing them at max, or very close to it. If you are wanting more velocity you need to go to a larger case. I`m pushing them around 3,250 fps with a 224 TTH. I can get more with other powders, but like the accuracy with the load I`m useing.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

That's great, catfish. But F-T/R rules preclude the use of anything but pure .223 or .308 chambering.

Texas Solo, where do you shoot F-T/R? Also, I would suggest you review your use of neck sizing for F-T/R, especially with a Wylde chamber. It is my opinion that using a small base F/L die every time I load provides for consistency in my loads across loadings and retards the inevitable loosening of primer pockets.

Edited: Oh, I see CTSA. 500 yards does not justify the maximum velocity you are trying to achieve. I was pushing my 80s at 2850 because I was shooting 1000 yards with them. I moved to .308 for LR and backed off a bit on the velocity of my .223 for MR.