When testing loads is it best to go up to the max recommended?

[afret]

When to the range this 23* morning to do more testing with my new .223 14 twist barrel. It doesn't seem very sensitive to the amount of powder as far as I can tell. I tested from 23.9 gn to 24.3 gn of AR Comp with Berger 55 FBs. The max recommended on the Alliant site is 25.6 gn for Sierra 55 gn BTHP. Berger doesn't give and data for AR Comp. Should I just keep going up to 25.6 grains? No pressure signs that I can see so far.

 

[Sniper338]

You have to watch signs in your own rifle combo. Books are guides, not the law of common sense. Temp differences will chage it too. Especially at 23 degrees testing loads.

 

[JEFFPPC]

When to the range this 23* morning to do more testing with my new .223 14 twist barrel. It doesn't seem very sensitive to the amount of powder as far as I can tell. I tested from 23.9 gn to 14.3 gn of AR Comp with Berger 55 FBs. The max recommended on the Alliant site is 25.6 gn for Sierra 55 gn BTHP. Berger doesn't give and data for AR Comp. Should I just keep going up to 25.6 grains? No pressure signs that I can see so far.

That's often where it just starts to show promise.....or not yet

 

[rsmithsr50]

max is in THEIR rifle,with their bullets, their primers, their lot of powder.'
they did not test your rifle, your primers, your lot of powder, and in this case your bullets.
as the man said the data is a guide, you have to do what is correct and safe for your rifle.

 

[rammac]

Any time you use a reloading manual you have to pay attention to the details, if any of those details are different in your hand-loads then the manual's numbers wont match.

The Allient reloading info uses a Sierra 55gr HPBT bullet and you are using a Berger 55gr FB, the bullets are different lengths and probably have different ogives which means that they will have different bearing surfaces. The Sierra bullet is shorter than the Berger bullet.

The Allient reloading info specifies a COAL of 2.24" using the Sierra bullet while the Berger manual specifies a COAL of 2.260".

Berger doesn't list AR Comp, probably because they didn't have much luck getting the results they were looking for.

I can tell you that QuickLoad estimates that 25.6gr, using the Berger bullet, will be just over the SAAMI recommended Max. But that's just a guess since your case volume could be different than what the software assumed, your seating depth could be different, your primer might be different, and your powder lot could perform slightly differently than the one tested for QuickLoad.

So you really can't expect for your loads to match up very well with either book. As far as I'm concerned, I'd just make a guess that somewhere around 25gr is going to be my top end but I'd work up to it carefully.

 

[afret]

Thanks! You guys make a lot of sense. I mainly shoot paper for groups at 100 yards. If it's shooting nice groups at the 23.9-24.3 range, is it worthwhile to go higher just to see what difference it makes assuming no pressure signs?

 

[corsair4360]

I first look for consistent group sizes, first and foremost. Velocity is an important part of the equation but very much secondary to accuracy.

I use loading data from the bullet manufacturer I am loading for, not some other manufactures data.

Reloading is lots of fun, and rewarding, but requires caution discipline and diligence. I have volunteered as a range safety officer and some of the "handloaders" approaches they described to me were best described as stabbing in the dark, not a disciplined cautious approach, which frightened me.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

You know youll be up toward the max book load or above. Theres definitely no reason to go 10grs low. Even if it shot one good group there its not going to be even a decent load

 

[afret]

If the groups sizes stay about the same, what would be the advantages of a hotter load if shooting short distances? I'm kinda concerned about extending the life of this brass since the chamber requires neck turning. I'm pretty happy with the groups so far but I can always try for better.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

When to the range this 23* morning to do more testing with my new .223 14 twist barrel. It doesn't seem very sensitive to the amount of powder as far as I can tell. I tested from 23.9 gn to 14.3 gn of AR Comp with Berger 55 FBs. The max recommended on the Alliant site is 25.6 gn for Sierra 55 gn BTHP. Berger doesn't give and data for AR Comp. Should I just keep going up to 25.6 grains? No pressure signs that I can see so far.

What ever made you start at 14.3 grains ? Or did you mean you went up to 24.3 ? Typo ?That is something i never thought i would read. 45% under max. That could be dangerous because the manufacturer ussually has a starting load only 10% under max. That would be 2.5 grains under 25.5= 23 grain starting load. I have heard that (under charging) can cause boom! Under certain conditions. If I'm wrong please let me know ! I always load to max because for me 98 % of my most accurate loads are at max or very very close. Working up a load ussually starts at 3/4" groups, and goes down to 1/4" groups as you hit max or close to it.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If the groups sizes stay about the same, what would be the advantages of a hotter load if shooting short distances? I'm kinda concerned about extending the life of this brass since the chamber requires neck turning. I'm pretty happy with the groups so far but I can always try for better.

In the wind youll get blown twice as far off. Brass is a component. You dont have to be at brass destroying pressures to be right but 10grs low aint it

 

[afret]

Sorry typo. Fixed it. Should have been 24.3 This is actually my second time testing with the Berger 55 FB and AR Comp. I initially tested from 23.3 to 24.1 in 0.2 grain jumps and the 23.9-24.1 area seemed accurate so I went from there and increased a bit to 24.3.

 

[afret]

In the wind youll get blown twice as far off. Brass is a component. You dont have to be at brass destroying pressures to be right but 10grs low aint it

Sorry, the 14.3 was a typo.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

Sorry typo. Fixed it. Should have been 24.3 This is actually my second time testing with the Berger 55 FB and AR Comp. I initially tested from 23.3 to 24.1 in 0.2 grain jumps and the 23.9-24.1 area seemed accurate so I went from there and increased a bit to 24.3.

Keep going up for sure . groups will get better. After you get great groups take a picture and post them so we can enjoy also.

 

[afret]

This is the 23.3-24.1 target:

This is the 23.9-24.3 target:

 

[Zero333]

You could go up to 25 gr, but looking at your targets, I'd play with the seating depth with the 24.1 gr load, or just leave it alone and go shoot !

Looks like a great combination you have going on there.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

This is the 23.3-24.1 target:

This is the 23.9-24.3 target:

Your groups are very good. No need to go to max loads other than curiosity.

 

[afret]

Thanks. I'll load up 50 rounds with 24.1 grains and try different seating depths.