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1/30/2016 4:08:58 PM EDT
New member  here (first post) and new to reloading. I have a question regarding Soft point and FMJ 55r for 2.23 round. When looking at the load data in my Lee manual the starting load for 55gr FMJ is 23.0 grains using H335. Question is, would that be the same starting load for a SP or do I use the load data for a frangible bullet? It only gives me 3 choices for 55r (jacket bullet, frangible and Barnes x solid). Looking for some insider help. Oh! and I'm using Hornady bullets.

Thanks
John

PS - Great info on this site

1/30/2016 4:37:57 PM EDT
[#1]
Hodgdon has reloading data for their powder using a similar bullet to which you are inquiring about.  Generally FMJ and soft points will have a similar starting load.  Frangible and all copper bullets are different than lead core bullets so if you load any of those, make sure you are using the correct load data.  Here's the link to the load data for your bullet, you'll have to enter in your information again but the starting load for the Speer 55gr SP bullet is 23.0gr with H-335.  Max load 25.3gr.
LINK TO HODGDON DATA

My Hornady manual lists the starting load at 20.8gr and max at 23.2gr
My old Speer manual lists starting at 24.0gr and max at 26.0gr.

My personal load is 25.5gr of H-335 and I have been using that for atleast 10 years with the Hornady 55gr soft point.  I seat to the cannelure and generally use CCI 400 primers.  It gives me very good accuracy out of my rifle, velocity isn't phenomenal but its adequate.  

As you can see load data can vary greatly.  I find the Hornady manual to be quite conservative but it never hurts to start load and work your way up!

1/30/2016 4:41:17 PM EDT
[#2]
Welcome to the forum

I have found that the H335 loads for Hornady 55gr SP and 55gr FMJ  *for my rifles*  are essentially the same. ymmv

The Soft points are a bit more accurate for me, but both are great bullets for the $.
1/30/2016 8:16:22 PM EDT
[#3]

Quoted:


New member  here (first post) and new to reloading. I have a question regarding Soft point and FMJ 55r for 2.23 round. When looking at the load data in my Lee manual the starting load for 55gr FMJ is 23.0 grains using H335. Question is, would that be the same starting load for a SP or do I use the load data for a frangible bullet? It only gives me 3 choices for 55r (jacket bullet, frangible and Barnes x solid). Looking for some insider help. Oh! and I'm using Hornady bullets.



Thanks

John



PS - Great info on this site



View Quote




 
You will seldom find data for your exact components, in your case the bullet.




The key is the starting load. At this level you can substitute like but different components and work up from there.




With your bullet and powder, most folks fine 24.0 to 25.0 to be the accuracy node in their AR after they have worked up.




Hornady 55 gr FMJBT is the bullet all other 55 gr FMJ's are compared to as it's accurate and priced right.




The Hornady 55 gr SP is a little more accurate than the FMJBT and feed fine in an AR.




Seat both to mid cannelure, crimp is optional.




Welcome to Arfcom and the Reloading Forum.
1/30/2016 10:51:25 PM EDT
[#4]
Multiple reloading manuals are also a good thing to have as a reloader.
1/31/2016 12:39:39 AM EDT
[#5]
I have another manual on the way, but from read from here and other books there always seems to be different numbers between the the books. How do you know which one to trust?
1/31/2016 1:12:23 AM EDT
[#6]
You take an average of 3 sources.
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