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Posted: 10/12/2008 11:19:43 AM EDT
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What is the hottest you go with this powder using 55gr fmjbt's? I just shot some w/ 25 and 25.5grs out of my 14.5in LMT and it seemed like I could go quite a bit hotter. I am going to slowly work my way up but was just wondering how many grains you guys have succesfully and SAFELY loaded up. ETA: For 5.56 |
| I've pushed it one grain passed what Speer #13 reload manual listed at max but I do warn that it's "hot" out of a 20" H-Bar Colt AR. My norm is load mid range. I'm just punching paper or occasional water filled jugs. If I want good penetration on soft tissue then I would opt for a bonded bullet and max powder charge. |
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I've used 25.2gr of H335 with CCI #41 primers, mixed brass, and Hornady 55gr FMJBT lightly crimped to cannelure. Launched out of a Stag 3 with a 16", chrome lined, 5.56 chamber, 1/9" barrel. Never had blown primers or case heads. Primers didn't look bad and I had no brass flow around the ejector. It worked, but, IMO, is unnecessarily warm. My new plinking load is 23.7gr of H335. Chasing M193 velocities isn't necessary for reloaded plinking ammo. It batters the gun and the brass and you open yourself up to potential problems. YMMV. |
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I use 25.0 grains of H335 with 55 FMJs. It seems to be a standard and popular load around here. Quite accurate. People do use more but I start to get flattening primers quickly above 25.0 grains. May just be the headspace on my rifle. As always, you have to work the loads up. Some lots of the same powder may be faster than others. People have been wondering if H335 has become a faster burning powder in recent years. |
I agree. I've chased the M193 Duplication load Holy Grail for 15 years and all I ended up doing was scaring myself.  One Mfg's 55gr FMJ bullet is not the same as another MFG's 55gr FMJ bullet and at M193 pressures that could make a difference. M855 is a lot easier to duplicate. |
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Much load data with detailed chrono results using Hornady 55gr FMJ bullets and H335. www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=49042&hl=Exodus Interesting that the Hodgdon #25 load manual shows: 26" Barrel H335 - 55gr bullet Case unknown, Primer unknown Starting Load 25.0 - 3011 fps - 36,600 CUP Maximum Load 27.0 - 3281 fps - 48,200 CUP and then the Hodgdon #27 load manual shows: 24" 1:12 Barrel H335 - 55gr bullet Case Winchester, Primer Winchester Starting Load 23.0 - 3018 fps - 40,800 CUP Maximum Load 25.3 - 3203 fps - 49,300 CUP -- The Army Ammunition Data Sheet for M193 shows 28.5gr of WC 844 which is supposed to be the same as H335. www.ammoinfo.com/downloads/tm43-0001-27.pdf -- I personally use 26.0 gr for around 3050 fps in a 16" gun and have NEVER seen any signs of excess pressure in any of my ARs. |
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I just completed some test loads over the weekend. Using 23.5 gr, 24.0 gr., 24.5 gr and 25.0 gr of H-335, WIN 55 gr FMJBTs, CCI #41 primers and asst. cases. These are for 100 yd range duty out of my 14.5" Bushy and my sons 16" rifle. All of the groups and test loads were great, as a matter of fact one shot from each load "one hole grouped" from each rifle. But from the 3 shot groups my 14.5" shot the best w/ 23.5 & 24.0 grs and my sons 16" rifle liked the 24.0 & 24.5 gr loads. All groups were between 1" - 1.5" @ 50 yds, standing using a hand rest on a deck rail.... no bags etc.... No signs of over pressure, primers looked normal, brass looked good, all loaded and ejected great. So, I settled on the 24.0 gr. of H-335 as my standard load and I will load up all of them with that. I realize that it wasnt extensive 50 shot testing or anything, but I had already tried 10 rounds of 25.0 gr earlier to get the bullet depth and OAL correct for use in both rifles. I need to try them out at 100 yds but with the performance at 50 yds I believe they will do just fine. |
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