sierra 223 load data?

[furhntr]

I was looking through the sierra reload guide and it showed max load of 27.5 of h335 for a 223 55gr bullet so I checked hodgdon's site and they show 25gr max load. Why the difference? and a big one at that.

 

[dantiff2]

i'm not sure you can get 27.5 grains of h335 in a 223 case? 25 sounds more like it. I load 25 grain of varget and have great results

Dan

 

[Taildrag15X]

furhntr,

You where in the Bolt Action side of the Sierra Manual.

The Gas Gun/AR Pages shows 25.7 Max for H335

Hodgdon's site shows the general loads for BOTH Gas Guns and Bolts, that's why the difference.

 

[furhntr]

furhntr,

You where in the Bolt Action side of the Sierra Manual.

The Gas Gun/AR Pages shows 25.7 Max for H335

Hodgdon's site shows the general loads for BOTH Gas Guns and Bolts, that's why the difference.

Yes, it is for a bolt gun. It just seemed a little High,27gr) thats all.

 

[Clark]

Test: Ruger #1, CCI 400 small rifle primers, LC brass once fired
processed from Scharch and prepped by me, 55 gr Vmax moly, H335

pic left to right: unfired, 28, 29, 30, and 31 gr.

unfired, extractor groove .329'
28 gr, extractor groove .329', 11% overload 69 kpsi Quickload
29 gr, extractor groove .329', 15% overload 80kpsi Quickload
30 gr, extractor groove .3295', 19% overload 92kpsi Quickload
31 gr, extractor groove .3320', 23% overload 106kpsi Quickload

What does it all mean?
The 270 is SAAMI registered at 65kpsi, but can only get long brass life at 62kpsi.

While the .223 is SAAMI registered at 55kpsi, and can get long brass life at more than 70kpsi

 

[KevinThomas]

Differences between loading manuals is a fact of life. Best way to read these is as a simple report;'we tried this combination and got these results . . . your mileage may vary.' Remember that you're using different lots of primers, brass, powder and bullets even if you are using exactly the same components listed in the manual. Add to that the fact that your rifle may be entirely different in its chamber how it's throated,particularly when talking about the .223 Rem/5.56mm round).

The manuals are nothing more than a guide. That's why they ALL emphatically caution you to start low, and approach the maximum load listed with caution. Trust me; they're not kidding.

Kevin Thomas
Berger Bullets

 

[Nalgi]

I know I'm a little late to the conversation, but I had the same question and my field testing last week gave me the answer loud and clear! I was using the V5 manual and 335 pushing the Sierra 55 gr. #1390.
When I got up to 26.6 Gr. the group tightened up to just under 1/2 MOA with no pressure signs. Next load was 26.9 Gr and I got a really tight .35" group,(pretty good for my RA) next was 27.1 and hold the phone! The first, and only, shot showed some pretty severe pressure sign as in blew the primer to pieces! I was quite surprised and went back and looked at the previous 2 loads brass (3 + 3) and no flattened primer or ejector shiners!! Winchester brass and primers. Manual shows 26.6 @ 3200fps but I'll chrony the 26.9 next week.

 

[Rubberduckie]

I was looking through the sierra reload guide and it showed max load of 27.5 of h335 for a 223 55gr bullet so I checked hodgdon's site and they show 25gr max load. Why the difference? and a big one at that.

 

[Rubberduckie]

These is what sierras load app shows. Shows reaching max at 24.5 h335

 

[Ned Ludd]

I know I'm a little late to the conversation, but I had the same question and my field testing last week gave me the answer loud and clear! I was using the V5 manual and 335 pushing the Sierra 55 gr. #1390.
When I got up to 26.6 Gr. the group tightened up to just under 1/2 MOA with no pressure signs. Next load was 26.9 Gr and I got a really tight .35" group,(pretty good for my RA) next was 27.1 and hold the phone! The first, and only, shot showed some pretty severe pressure sign as in blew the primer to pieces! I was quite surprised and went back and looked at the previous 2 loads brass (3 + 3) and no flattened primer or ejector shiners!! Winchester brass and primers. Manual shows 26.6 @ 3200fps but I'll chrony the 26.9 next week.

"Pressure signs" in primers and/or fired brass are dubious readouts at best. More often than not, by the time you see them, you may already be grossly over-pressure. Chances are good your 26.9 load is a lot hotter than you think, especially given your results at 27.1 gr. Dropping the charge weight of what is clearly an over-pressure and unsafe load by only 0.2 gr is not enough. Even if the 26.9 gr load appears safe under certain conditions, a modest increase in temperature would likely be sufficient to push it into unsafe territory. Running loads like this simply isn't worth it for a relatively small gain in velocity. You'd be far better off tuning in a lower pressure load with seating depth.

 

[Zero333]

Hodgdon uses Winchester brass while Sierra uses F.C. (if I remember correctly). And they use different bullets..

Hodgdon using Speer SP shows MAX of 25.3 gr H-335,... While Sierra uses their own 55 gr Bullets.

 

[CaptJim]

"Pressure signs" in primers and/or fired brass are dubious readouts at best. More often than not, by the time you see them, you may already be grossly over-pressure. Chances are good your 26.9 load is a lot hotter than you think, especially given your results at 27.1 gr. Dropping the charge weight of what is clearly an over-pressure and unsafe load by only 0.2 gr is not enough. Even if the 26.9 gr load appears safe under certain conditions, a modest increase in temperature would likely be sufficient to push it into unsafe territory. Running loads like this simply isn't worth it for a relatively small gain in velocity. You'd be far better off tuning in a lower pressure load with seating depth.

This^^^
Even without visible evidence on the brass, the action on my M4 would make a harsh sound upon recoil and spit the fired brass out much farther when firing rounds a little over max during load development. It was obvious the action was taking a beating so it was time to back off.

A 308 I had would exhibit hard bolt lift with some loads that others reported functioning fine in their rifles. Guns are a lot like people, they are each unique in their own right and have different reactions when subjected to pressure and stress.
CJ

 

[Zero333]

At least in this manual...

Sierra shows 25.7 H-335 MAX for Gas Guns for all their 55 gr bullets..
and 27.5 H-335 for Bolt Guns with all their different 55 gr bullets.
----------------------------------------

Gas Guns...
( Colt HBAR 20"bbl,, 7" twist, Federal Brass, Rem 7.5 primer )


--------------------------------------------------------------------

Bolt Guns...
( Remington 600, 24"bbl, 14" twist, Federal brass, Remington 7.5 primer )

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Sierra tamed down a lot of loads in their sixth
edition compared to the 5th edition manual. I have found a few loads that were increased in the sixth one also though.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

27.0 gr H335 with a bare 50 gr bullet WILL blow primers ! A moly 50 gr bullet with 27.0 is Ok .
have killed many a grass rat with 27.0 and a moly 50 gr bullets with no problems.
Maybe 27.5 in a cool underground tunnel works?

 

[Zero333]

27.0 gr H335 with a bare 50 gr bullet WILL blow primers ! A moly 50 gr bullet with 27.0 is Ok .
have killed many a grass rat with 27.0 and a moly 50 gr bullets with no problems.
Maybe 27.5 in a cool underground tunnel works?

I agree... That's why most use around 25 gr H-335 with 55 gr bullets, including me.

 

[ebb]

A really good response form Kevin Thomas our former Berger bullets rep, wish he was still around.

 

[Doom]

Sierra 5th Edition was shot in a Rem 600 and I can tell you that over 26 grains is going to be a problem in hot weather. The 6th addition was shot in a SAMMI set up and is less than 26 gr. if I remember correctly. I change phones and lost the 6th Edition app.

 

[arlaunch]

I am a humble student in a sea of scholars here.

But if you care, i will share with you what i have learned from loading many calibers.

#1. Case capacity varies widely from brand to brand in all calibers. Not just military brass in 308 or 30-06!!!. Gain experience as best you can with which brand has the least, and most capacity for that particular cartridge. Then compare the case you have, with what the manual used.

#2. Reloading manuals are constantly changing, general guidelines, evolving and changing as pressure testing methods, powders etc. evolve and change.

#3. Shooting without a chronograph is like filling up your car tire, without a tire pressure gauge. You definitely DO NOT need a tire pressure gauge to fill up a car tire. But.......

I am always so perplexed when i start firing a new caliber. Reloading data is all over the place. Rifle chambers are too!!!!

I just slowly work my way up, over multiple trips to the rifle range. When i hit the peak velocity listed, with no brass damage, I "normally" call that max.

The powder charge will be what the powder charge will be. That is the lesson.

 

[SKWERLZ]

27.0 gr H335 with a bare 50 gr bullet WILL blow primers ! A moly 50 gr bullet with 27.0 is Ok .
have killed many a grass rat with 27.0 and a moly 50 gr bullets with no problems.
Maybe 27.5 in a cool underground tunnel works?

No kidding!
Even slower 748 or TAC is spicy at 27!