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Posted: 8/6/2013 4:21:13 PM EDT
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Hello, I just recently started reloading and have a few questions. I'm loading 223 and the load i'm working on is a 75gr Hornady BTHP under 23.2 grains CFE223 (starting load is 23.0) with a CCI 400 primer at 2.25" OAL... well it seems like there is still quite a bit of unused case volume and it has me kinda worried as i've heard excessive empty case space can cause a kaboom. How concerned should I be with empty case space? BTW every charge is weighed with a Lee Perfect Powder Scale, once I start feeling comfortable with my reloading skills then I will move on to a measure but for now weighing each charge works albeit it's a very slow process.
Also i'm sizing with a RCBS Full Length resizing die, i've been told when loading for an AR I should be using a small base die. Since all of my once fired brass has come from my single AR should I be fine with the RCBS FL die? I plan on picking up a case gauge when funds permit but for now i'm just checking them with my chamber. If it makes any difference I am reloading for general plinking at steel plates from 1 - 400 yards and not too concerned with 1" groups. |
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Excessive case volume: If you have 75% or better fill that is probably sufficient for that powder. Hodgdon is sensitive to low volume pressure spikes as they have noted for users of their H110, and will promptly report problems if discovered in their other powders.
My recent work with CFE223 using LC 1X brass and 77 gr SMKs shows that the Hodgdon published loads are low. I first noticed ejector/extractor swipe onset at 25.5 gr. in my 6920. Hodgdon limits their published powder loads to SAAMI MAP, not NATO MAP, so their 5.56 x 45 loads (.223) loads are conservative. If you are using due dilligence in checking your finished product in your rifle for good function, then the RCBS FL (Normal) dies are good to go. RCBS SB dies give you a case body with diameters about 1/2 way between Normal die and Factory Fresh Ammo. The SB produces cases that give a little extra margin for FTF/FTE/SlamFire reliability. The trade off is lower precision and reduced case life. |
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Quoted:
Hello, I just recently started reloading and have a few questions. I'm loading 223 and the load i'm working on is a 75gr Hornady BTHP under 23.2 grains CFE223 (starting load is 23.0) with a CCI 400 primer at 2.25" OAL... well it seems like there is still quite a bit of unused case volume and it has me kinda worried as i've heard excessive empty case space can cause a kaboom. How concerned should I be with empty case space? BTW every charge is weighed with a Lee Perfect Powder Scale, once I start feeling comfortable with my reloading skills then I will move on to a measure but for now weighing each charge works albeit it's a very slow process. Also i'm sizing with a RCBS Full Length resizing die, i've been told when loading for an AR I should be using a small base die. Since all of my once fired brass has come from my single AR should I be fine with the RCBS FL die? I plan on picking up a case gauge when funds permit but for now i'm just checking them with my chamber. If it makes any difference I am reloading for general plinking at steel plates from 1 - 400 yards and not too concerned with 1" groups. I started at 22.5 based on data from the Hornady manual and I didn't have any problems. The only difference in my load was I used CCI 450 primers. I think you will be fine with the regular FL dies... I load for 4 different rifles in 223 and have never found the need for an SB die ( don't even own one). When you get the funds look at the Hornady headspace gauge. It does a whole lot more than you can do with one of the drop in cylinders. |
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