Armory Sponsor
|
I have some loads ready for testing. Just waiting for some warm weather to comfortably test them out. I'm using the 69gr SMK on Varget...
Barrel: 18" DPMS Heavy SASS in 5.56. 1 in 8 twist. Loads: 20 rds @ 24grs of Varget 20 rds @ 24.5grs of Varget 20 rds @ 25grs of Varget I'll start with the lowest powered round first and work my way up (if no signs of high pressure) to see what is most accurate. Then I'll probably load some rounds to +/- .1grs of whichever of the above loads work best. No harm in starting low and working up. In most cases, the hottest round is not the most accurate anyway. Better safe than sorry... |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
I've loaded some .223 with 69gr Match Kings to spec with 25.5 gr of Varget for an AR. This load is half a grain less than maximum. Some have told me this load may be on the hot side. However according to the loading manual, it is still less than the hottest load for an AR with the Match King bullet. Am I asking for a Ka-Boom? That's 1/2 grain over maximum in two of my reloading manuals. I use 24.5 grains with 69 Sierra's with excellent accuracy. I still have all my fingers, both eyes and half a mind. +1 24.5 grains pushes 69's @ 2730 fps from my 20" barrel, 2850 fps from my 26" barrel. Great accuarcy and no issues. |
|
Load Data for Varget and 68-69 grain bullets from various sources - MAXIMUM CHARGE:
Hornady = 24.9 gr @ 2800 fps (20" AR15) Lyman = 26.0 gr @ 2922 fps (Sierra MK 20" AR15) Hodgdon = 26.0 gr @ 3010 fps (Sierra MK) Nosler = 25.0 gr @ 2835 fps (20" bbl) Sierra = 26.1gr @ 2850 fps (20" AR15) AVERAGE MAXIMUM: 25.6 grains |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Why do some people HAVE to go right to the edge of MAX? Because it's my choice? Again, all things being equal (good components, non-shitty AR) why would you NOT be safe using a max-published load from a component maker who has tested these five ways from Sunday to avoid a lawsuit? I will try to make this simple, though perhaps I am not smart enough to do so: There should be nothing unsafe about using a published max load. And in the right gun you MIGHT be right. In the wrong gun you WOULD be WRONG! SOP for any reloader is to learn how to read pressure signs in thier reloads. DO NOT TRUST WHAT YOU READ FROM A SOURCE ON A INTERNET SITE TO TELL YOU IF IT IS SAFE IN YOUR GUN! My Varget load for the SMK maxed out in my gun prior to reaching the max PUBLISHED load. This is out of a Wylde chamber gun. so the statement made in the above post is flat out wrong! Proceed with caution when dealing with armchair experts! |
|
There should be nothing unsafe about using a published max load.
I think there is some confusion about published maximums - Are they "carved in stone"? Sierra puts it this way about their data - and this would apply to any reloading data in any of the known bullet/powder manuals: ...reloading manuals are not carved in stone. Think of a reloading manual as a REPORT, and you'll be in a much better position to understand this. In essence, a reloading manual says, "We tried this particular component combination, and these are the results we obtained." When you duplicate the load shown in a manual, you're using a different rifle (even if it is the same make, model, and caliber), a different lot of powder (even if it is the same brand and type), a different lot of cases (even if they are from the same manufacturer, etc.), a different lot of, well... you get the idea. There is an amazing number of variables that effect any load combination. With the difference in the manuals, you're just seeing first hand examples. Again, start low and work your load up.
|
|
I have loaded 69 g SMK with 26 g of Varget. It is noted as a "best performing load" in Lyman 49th. I got the following 10 shot string:
2711 2625 2712 2697 2664 2647 2680 2671 2641 2739 Now the variation may be because I am new and haven't quiet mastered consistent brass, COAL; However the loads were measured on a RCBS Chargemaster, so I am confident the loads were very accurate. The RCBS is a fantastic tool, second to none as far as everyone is concerned and I have to get on that bandwagon. CS is tops as well sending 2 parts for other, very old and well used items. Quickload calls it a 73K PSI load - RED, meaning NOT safe and 25.1 is the last purple load before they go red in QL. BTW 26.0 is a compressed load so COAL will need some additional adjusting. I'd guess off the top of my head .003 - .005 MORE than what I set it to using an empty case. |
| I've loaded a bunch of 5.56 in a 5.56 chamber with 69 MK and 25.3 gr of either Varget or RL15. They seem to be consistently the two best loads in any Ar15 that has the proper twist for 69-gr bullets. Case capacity, etc. varies, but this load shouldn't cause problems unless you have a combination of a tight chamber, barrel, too long case length, etc. It's not that much work to work your way up to a max load in YOUR rifle. Apply common sense as it is your eyes and hands. I have shot probably 5-10 thousand handloaded rounds a year since 1975 and have never even popped a primer, but I also use a chrono, have a pressure trace stain gage and some common sense. I hhave shot them in all kinds of weather from 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska to sub Saharan Africa without a problem. |
Armory Sponsor