Newby Question

[BobbyR]

I recently started reloading 223 using 55gr FMJ and Varget and using a Classic Lee Loader kit. I loaded 21.9 gr Varget as suggested as a starting load from the recipe card that came with the kit. This was my first time with a 223 and my 100 yard groups were nothing special but no problems with the rifle. I got a copy of Lee Modern Reloading 2nd ed. and saw that the same bullet and powder now required a starting load of 25.5 gr Varget. I wrote the Lee people and asked about the change. I was told that the kit recipe was based on 2011 Varget and the book data was based on 2017 Varget. Was it dangerous to use the light starting load of Varget? They seemed to work OK but I don't know the consequences of using light loads.

 

[TTE]

As with any new loading/rifle .... with powder charges - start low and work up in a prudent and cautious manner

 

[K22]

This can be confusing for new reloaders.

Whenever possible, I like to use the bullet manufacturer's published data. For example, I use and have used a lot of Nosler 55 BTs in my 223 bolt rifles with Varget. Their published load data shows a starting load of 23.0 and a maximum of 25.0 with Varget.

Whereas the Hodgdon data is considerably higher with Varget, i.e., 25.5 to 27.5 for a 55 grain Spitzer Soft Point. Speer is within a grain (lower) of the Hodgdon data.

This illustrates why I like to use the bullet manufacturer's data whenever available. As someone else said, it is always prudent to start with the published starting load data and work up slowly.

Generally speaking, you want to avoid going below the starting published load data, especially with ball and slow burning powders. I don't recall ever seeing published data that low for Varget and 55 grain jacket bullets in a 223 Rem even as far back as 2011. I am not saying the Lee people are wrong, only I don't understand their statement.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Imo, the load you started with is way too low. I would go up

 

[kd4avp]

And also, depending on loading for semi auto or a bolt rifle, you may find some loads work better.
My 223 load for my AR and my bolt gun are not the same.
AR I can get away with very "loose" standards.
Basically, the AR can shoot just about anything I load within powder mfg specs.
Some more accurate than others.
Bolt gun not so.
Bolt gun is much more picky for accuracy.

 

[TonyinKY]

Another source of information:

Reloading Data Center – Hodgdon Reloading Data Center

hodgdonreloading.com

 

[Timon]

I only shoot 223’s. I use VVN133 powder and a 52 grain bullet. I used to use Benchmark for many years with the same 52 grain bullet. My loads all varied from about 24.2 to 24.8 grains. Many say you can go higher, but I get very consistent velocity between 3100 to 3200 fps and usually single digit SD’s. I’ve never used Varget as it is generally used for heavier bullets than the 52’s I shoot. I would suspect that you will find a load in the 24. something range. That being said, test for yourself and work up to a higher load. The testing is half the fun of this reloading stuff.

 

[jpjulian]

I 2nd the info for the Hodgdon data. For 55 fmj I like H335 and TAC. Several other powder will work well also. H335 & TAC are less expensive than Varget as well. Bonus.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

As JPJULIAN alluded to, your using a premium powder with a low end bullet. Most 55 FMJ are designed to come out the end of the barrel. Two exceptions are the Hornady 55 FMJ's and the Sierra's. If accuracy is your goal then switch to a 52/53 Hornady(most ecomomical) or Sierra(midrange pricing). If your barrel is a 7, 8, or 9 twist the 68/69 weight bullets are also very accurate. If your going to stick with 55 FMJ's then there are a half dozen or so ball powders very suitable that throw very consistant charges from a powder measure at a much lower price point than Varget.

Frank

 

[kd4avp]

Big second on the use of Ramshot Tac for 223. I used that almost exclusively for my CMP AR rifle. Metered great and was a great price point. 8 lb jug goes a long way in 223.

 

[divingin]

I recently started reloading 223 using 55gr FMJ and Varget and using a Classic Lee Loader kit. I loaded 21.9 gr Varget as suggested as a starting load from the recipe card that came with the kit. This was my first time with a 223 and my 100 yard groups were nothing special but no problems with the rifle. I got a copy of Lee Modern Reloading 2nd ed. and saw that the same bullet and powder now required a starting load of 25.5 gr Varget. I wrote the Lee people and asked about the change. I was told that the kit recipe was based on 2011 Varget and the book data was based on 2017 Varget. Was it dangerous to use the light starting load of Varget? They seemed to work OK but I don't know the consequences of using light loads.

Not just powder formulation, but also lawyers. Used to be that "max" loads were closer to actual max than the later books are publishing. This is to prevent lawsuits from people saying "well you published it as being safe."

Best practice is to have several different sources of info (meaning different loading guides) and bounce the data from each off each other. Books can (and do) contain errata. Multiple data sources with an outlier may clue you in to that.

 

[BobbyR]

As JPJULIAN alluded to, your using a premium powder with a low end bullet. Most 55 FMJ are designed to come out the end of the barrel. Two exceptions are the Hornady 55 FMJ's and the Sierra's. If accuracy is your goal then switch to a 52/53 Hornady(most ecomomical) or Sierra(midrange pricing). If your barrel is a 7, 8, or 9 twist the 68/69 weight bullets are also very accurate. If your going to stick with 55 FMJ's then there are a half dozen or so ball powders very suitable that throw very consistant charges from a powder measure at a much lower price point than Varget.

Frank

Rifle is 8 twist bolt but I don't understand what you mean " Most 55 FMJ are designed to come out the end of the barrel. Two exceptions are the Hornady 55 FMJ's and the Sierra's." I'm using the Hornady 55 FMJ-BT. I went with Varget as it seemed to be the most popular 223 powder I saw online.

 

[D the D]

FMJ tend to be the least accurate bullets made. They're for mass production at a low price rather than high QC standard.
When shooting run of the mill FMJ, using an expensive powder makes no sense as it won't enhance accuracy; the bullet is the limiting factor.
TAC or another of the less expensive powders makes more sense when using mediocre bullets. FMJ keeps the cost per round down, but doesn't do anything for one accuracy wise. So why pay for expensive powders just to shoot mediocre bullets?
N140 is another good powder for accuracy loads in 223.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

BobbyR, FYI, I shoot the Hornady 55FMJ at 200 yds for XTC practice, standing and sitting. I go to the Hornady 52match bullet for 300 prone practice. Most 55FMJ are made to the lowest price point and there intended buyers are the folks that like to see how fast they can empty a mag into a big target at a very close range, accuracy not required. Varget is a very popular powder for the 223 and many other calibers. Price has gone out of site for it and if your going to use it, you need to buy in bulk if and when you can find it. Every powder manufacturer has about a half dozen or more very suitable powders for the 223. Many of which are "ball" powders. A quick look will reveal the ball powders are much lower priced than the "stick" powders. They also measure very accurately with a powder measure. Continue with your H 55FMJs. When you want to up your game you probably can simply switch to the H match 52 or 53.

As D the D said while I was typing!

Frank

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

One of the better ways to improve accuracy with fmj is very consistent charge weights, I use cheaper ballpowders. And a light crimp if used in a gas gun.

 

[jds holler]

One of the better ways to improve accuracy with fmj is very consistent charge weights, I use cheaper ballpowders. And a light crimp if used in a gas gun.

Life's too short to weigh stick powder for your 223s. jd

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Brass and how your chamber is cut matter too, maybe not as much as lawyers though.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I will weigh Benchmark for prairie dog loads. Otherwise I throw/weigh 10 charges to set thrower to an average target weight with ball powder and than load a batch run. +,- 0.10 gr is much better than factory ammo.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Ramshot Xterminator is another ball powder that will work with the 55’s as a economical choice.

 

[Gary in MD]

Yea, I would ditch the FMJ bullets if you have any hopes of accuracy.
I find that TAC, AR Comp, & BenchMark work well in the 223s that I have. I did try Varget in an AR but I think it is better for the heavier bullets.