Reloder 15 w/ 80gr in 223

[Quickoz]

Hey all, what is the nominal charge weight most use with reloder 15 and 80gr bullets. Cheers.

 

[spclark]

It's been awhile since I've used this combination in an NRA-legal AR service rifle (20" floated barrel) but if my memory serves most folks stay under something around 24.0 grains.

Not knowing just which 80 you have in mind (they do differ some in bearing surface and seating depth), how long your barrel is, what your preference is in brand(s) of brass, or what chamber profile you're using... you ought to be safe starting at 23.0 then working up from there.

 

[MrMajestic]

Sierra manual here-
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/

 

[Quickoz]

Gents, I'm using ADI and Lapua brass with 80gr Amax. I was using Varget but it didn't wanna shoot. I've started using reloder and it seems to work better but I've been mainly shooting steel matches and playing around. The testing I have done has shot a 1/2 in 5 shot group off bipod at 110yds. Will test more at 110 and 328yds this coming week and see how it groups. Mainly using as a practical hunting match, steel bashing and varminting rig.

So far the load I'm using is 24.8gr RL15 with 80gr amax at 30 thou jump. The Sierra manual doesn't have data for RL15 with 80gr or I woulda used that for reference. I just worked a tad lower them what most use with Varget with 80gr bullets and the 24.8 shot tightest for the 5 shots so I went with that.

 

[spclark]

OK, more info is good. Here's a page from years ago that despite newer powders and bullets being available still lists loads for gas guns that win matches every season:

http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm

Your distances and needs appear to be different than what service rifle shooters are doing up here, but the info is still valid as data to build upon.

 

[Quickoz]

Cheers mate. I'm running a howa 1500 action with 27.5" 1-8T. I'll have a look and see how it goes.

 

[stinnett1981]

You may wanna read up on those 80 grain Amax bullets. They are not the same as all the other 80 grain .22 cal bullets. They require a faster twist barrel like a 7 twist. You can shoot them from a much higher velocity cartridge like a 22-250 or even faster from a 8 twist barrel and they will probably shoot great, but not from a low velocity cartridge like the .223. Im not an expert by any means! I just found a great load for the 75 grain Amax bullets for my 8 twist .223. I did a lot of research and found out these Amax bullet need a faster twist rate to stabilize. Why you ask...? I really dont know. Im sure there are some people out there that do shoot the 80 grain Amax from their .223, but im just letting you know about all the info I read about them. Im willing to bet the 75 grain Amax bullets will shoot great! Good luck!

 

[Quickoz]

Cheers mate. I am gonna try some 75gr amax for sure. The 80gr seem to shoot ok. But more testing to be done this week. Gonna test 24.2 to 24.8gr of RL15.

 

[olympian]

The 80 AMAX shoots fine in a 8" twist barrel. I used 24.5 grains which is not hot for a bolt gun. 4895 is another powder to consider with the 80 AMAX. I have better luck with it.

 

[Quickoz]

Cheers mate. Im gonna try 24.6gr. When i did the 24.8 to 25.6 testing the 24.8 shot best but only had that lowest charge weight. Gonna do some tests at 24.6gr of 15 at 110yds tomorrow.

 

[WindSurgeon]

Around 23.6 and work your way up from there. If an AR, your max charge will be less than a bolt at around 24 grains. If a bolt, 24.6 or so.

 

[Quickoz]

Well gents 24.6gr of Reloder 15 shoots 5 into probably 5/8 and 3 went into under 1/4. Dropped two 1/4 under due to me not being 100% on top of bipod shooting at the moment. Will do test at 300m soon to verify. Will tweak seating depth a bit to see what happens but am happy with 30 jump as it mag feeds easy as pie. Even a 10 jam load mag feeds. Based on drop it's doing round 2820 which is a tad slow for what I like so may look at a higher node maybe. Maybe 25.4 to 26.2 I'll look at. Depending on pressure. I'm running a Weatherby Vanguard and the firing pin isn't bushed so getting indications of primers doesn't work really well.