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Posted: 1/22/2009 1:34:33 PM EDT
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I'll be reloading some 5.56 for the first time soon on a Dillon 650 and I have a few questions.
I'll be working with LC once fired brass, Winchester primers, Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT w/c, SMK 77gr BTHP w/c and a host of different powders. My goal is to find the best type and amount of powder for each. I have a pound each of; Ramshot TAC Ramshot X-Terminator Accurate 2230 Accurate 2460 Hodgdon H335 Hodgdon Varget I plan to start at the low end specified by the manuals and work my way up. I plan to load 10 cartridges (two 5 shot groups) representing each powder, at each amount variation. So... 1. When developing a cartridge, by what quantity do you increase the powder load for each successive batch? .5grains? 2. Is it really necessary to start at the low end spec'd by the manual, or could I safely start 1gr higher? 3. What is the ideal OAL for each bullet? 4. Are Winchester primers the best for both 55gr and 77gr? 6. I'm going to be looking for a good midweight self defense bullet as well. Would you recommend the SS109? the 68gr Hornady? or something else? Also, I've been noticing a bit of variation in my trimmed case length. I'm sizing with a Dillon die, and trimming with a Giraud. The best I've been able to manage so far is between 1.747 and 1.757, usually between 1.749 and 1.754. 7. Is this much variation common for the method I'm using? Any help you guys can offer is greatly appreciated  . Also (if you feel so inclined), please share your experiences with these components, and the recipe's that you've settled on.
Thank you! |
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1. When developing a cartridge, by what quantity do you increase the powder load for each successive batch? .5gr?
I was doing it by 1/2 gram, but was told that one gram is acceptable. 2. Is it really necessary to start at the low end spec'd by the manual, or could I safely start 1gr higher? A grain shouldn't be unsafe, but since you are reloading for accuracy, why not start at the bottom? 3. What is the ideal OAL for each bullet? Whatever is listed in the manual. I've been reloading for several years so I try to load for (1) the longest that can be chambered, and (2) the longest that will fit in the mag. 4. Are Winchester primers the best for both 55gr and 77gr? No opinion. 6. I'm going to be looking for a good midweight self defense bullet as well. Would you recommend the SS109? the 68gr Hornady? or something else? Reloading for SD ammo is VERY controversial. In the resulting civil or criminal trial, your choices WILL be called into question. You will be charged with using the cruelest ammunition possible, and a jury that is ignorant of guns, reloading, etc will buy into it. Better to use factory ammo. BEST to use whatever the local police are using. Also, I've been noticing a bit of variation in my trimmed case length. I'm sizing with a Dillon die, and trimming with a Giraud. The best I've been able to manage so far is between 1.47 and 1.57. 7. Is this much variation common for the methon I'm using? No opinion. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
You definitely screwed something up. Trim to length is 1.75", it shouldn't have any variance... certainly not 10 thousands. Are you sure your measuring right? whoops, typo. I meant 1.747-1.757. I'm measuring with digital calipers THAT is perfectly fine. You might want to work on you technique, you might be pushing into the trimmer at varying pressure. Seems like for what the trimmer costs it shouldn't vary even that much, but they are in range. |
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Only comment I have is trying that many powders with 2 or more different bullets with work-ups from min to max is going to involve a lot of rounds, hours and hours or days to shoot. Waiting for the barrel to cool, possible cleaning between batches. Target comparison along with chronograph readings. You're in for a long session especially at a local range waiting for "clears" to check your targets. You need to mark all cases with a magic marker with powder and weight plus bullet used and keep them organized.
Only loads I can comment on are Horn. 55fmj's and H335 powder. I'd start at 23.5 and work up in half grain increments. 23-24-24.5-and 25 grains is near maximum. I use RP 7 1/2 primers and have no problems but I've read a few have problems with pierced primers with the Winchester but I have no experience myself. I use Reloder REL15 with the 77 bthp match bullet. Your Varget and Tac should work well with them. Here's one little article from Sierra on the 77bthp match load: http://www.sierrabullets.com/index.cfm?section=techservice&page=xring&volume=6&issue=3 |
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Quoted:
I'll be reloading some 5.56 for the first time soon on a Dillon 650 and I have a few questions. I'll be working with LC once fired brass, Winchester primers, Hornaday 55gr FMJ-BT w/c, SMK 77gr BTHP w/c and a host of different powders. My goal is to find the best type and amount of powder for each. I have a pound each of; Ramshot TAC Excellent powder for 55's. Ramshot X-Terminator Accurate 2230 Excellent powder for 55's. Accurate 2460 Hodgdon H335 Excellent powder for 55's. Hodgdon Varget Use for 77's I use BLC2 for my 55 and 62 gr FMJBT loads, Varget for the heavy bullets. I plan to start at the low end specified by the manuals and work my way up. I plan to load 10 cartridges (two 5 shot groups) representing each powder, at each amount variation. So... 1. When developing a cartridge, by what quantity do you increase the powder load for each successive batch? .5grains? Depends, I normally start at the "start" load, increase .5 grs once or twice, then when I'm about 1.5 gr below max listed increase by .3 gr. I have encountered pressure signs a Full 2 grs below listed max, so I am careful. 2. Is it really necessary to start at the low end spec'd by the manual, or could I safely start 1gr higher? 3. What is the ideal OAL for each bullet? Reloading manual will give OAL. If you chose to not follow the loading data, you are on your own. Short answer, FMJBT's seat to mid cannelure, 77's seat to mag length. 4. Are Winchester primers the best for both 55gr and 77gr? All I used for years, they will work fine. I have switched to Wolf SRM's due to price and availability. For the 77's, give Rem. 7 1/2's a try. 6. I'm going to be looking for a good midweight self defense bullet as well. Would you recommend the SS109? the 68gr Hornaday? or something else? Either, but only for SHTF. Otherwise factory 5.56. Also, I've been noticing a bit of variation in my trimmed case length. I'm sizing with a Dillon die, and trimming with a Giraud. The best I've been able to manage so far is between 1.747 and 1.757, usually between 1.749 and 1.754. 7. Is this much variation common for the method I'm using? This sounds terrible to me. I would call Doug and ask his advice. Any help you guys can offer is greatly appreciated  . Also (if you feel so inclined), please share your experiences with these components, and the recipe's that you've settled on.
Thank you! |
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Quoted:
1. When developing a cartridge, by what quantity do you increase the powder load for each successive batch? .5gr? I was doing it by 1/2 gram, but was told that one gram is acceptable. Since no one else apparently caught this I will just for clarity bring it up. I am sure that you meant grains and not grams. 1 gram = 15.432358353 grains. Now wouldn't that be fun. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
You definitely screwed something up. Trim to length is 1.75", it shouldn't have any variance... certainly not 10 thousands. Are you sure your measuring right? whoops, typo. I meant 1.747-1.757. I'm measuring with digital calipers THAT is perfectly fine. You might want to work on you technique, you might be pushing into the trimmer at varying pressure. Seems like for what the trimmer costs it shouldn't vary even that much, but they are in range. Also noteworthy, if you haven't used calipers on a regular basis: depending on how much pressure you measure with, calipers can give wildly different readings. Rotate the shell and take a few measurements while trying to use even pressure. Make sure you aren't using the thin "pointy" part of the blades. Make sure the shell is seated flat on one blade before bringing the other in for the measurement; don't use finger pressure on the wheel to "square up" the shell perpendicular to the blade. I use gage blocks as an instructional device to show new workers how much finger pressure can effect caliper readings. |
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