34 replies to this topic

[rude robert]

With that compressed load Frank, how long did it take for you build up to it? I have come pretty high with some of my loads, but didn't thinks compressing them was the way to go. I have the ar, so I pretty sure it would handle the higher pressure, just didn't trust the idea too much

[Frank]

Rude, it depends on the powder & caliber as to whether it can or cannot make it to a compressed load. Generally speaking, the slower burning powders will usually fill up a case more than a faster one. As far as this particular load of 28.5 grs of Benchmark & the 40 gr b.t. in the 223 goes, I cannot recall exactly where I began. It was several years ago when I started these. I will GUESS, I started somewhere around 26.5 grs & increased in 1/2 gr increments. Loading several different loads at a time in 1/2 gr increments, you can see it would not take long, 2 or 3 range trips, to reach 28.5 grs... while watching for the usual excessive pressure signs as you go. And of course, any time one does not feel comfortable doing something, they likely should not be doing it. Some amount of time and experience helps in working up to max loads. Also, while this load has worked in several 223's, not all 223's liked this load. As with most loads, each firearm is unto it's own in other words. I'm also not familiar with loading for AR's so unfortunatelly cannot be of help on those. BTW, I have to "trickle" in the last few kernnels(huh?lol) of powder into the case. It nearly fills the entire case leaving only a slight amount of room below the top of the neck.OH... and remember our velocities were reached with 26" barrels. I often get a chuckle whenever I read there is only a few feet of velocity difference between certain barrel lengths, when in fact nothing could be further from the truth in a lot of cases. While low velocity differences can & does happen, HIGH velocity spreads also happen especially with max loads in high intensity calibers. I've chrono'd a LOT of these to know this is true. Often times as much as 300 fps difference. I could tell you some stories, but I'm already using too much of John's tape. LOLHope this helpsFrank

[Thumper Dunker]

Thats way cool stuff. My 500 gn arrows get up to 190fps out of my recurve You got those 223s smoking.

[Frank]

Thumper, you should have seen what that 40gr (non lead this time) bullet, 223 load did to a coyote I called in yesterday. If I can get the pics off my cell phone I may post it. Devastating would be an understatement. Film at 11...... I hope! ha!Frank

[dangerranger]

The reason I dont use nickel cases has nothing to do with the dies. the nickle cases seem to be rough on the inside of the neck. after having to pull a few bullits from a loading mistake I noticed that the bullits that came out of the nickeled cases looked like they had been pulled out of sand paper, and those pulled from brass looked almost like new. That also might explain the higher velosity, if its from increased neck tention. just a guess. DR