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Posted: 12/15/2009 1:43:19 PM EDT
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So I have a box of .224 Hornady 55Gr V-Max that I am looking to build up a load for using H322.
I can not find a reliable source of data for these bullets with this powder so from the info I got here is what I'm thinking... Hodgdons website shows a starting load of 21Gr of H322 for use with a 55Gr Speer SP. They also show a max load of 25.5Gr of H322 for use with a 55Gr Speer SP. I got from AR15's reloading data a load for 55Gr Winchester FMJ using 21Gr of H322. So am I safe to assume that I can start working loads up from 21G up to 25Gr to find which load works best for my AR? Do I need to work up every .1Gr, every .5Gr? These rounds are going to be plinking/ target practice out to 100yrds max so I want to use the minimum amount of powder needed to get a decent shot group. If I can keep around 1MOA I'll be very very happy. Thanks in advance. - Will |
| I like Hornady's bullets as well Sierra... Most of my experience is with Sierra so I'm going to tell a Sierra story. I get tired of flipping through manuals and on line text only to have to cut a load because it doesn't refer to the exact components I'm using. I bought a box of Sierra 55 grain Spitzers and was attempting to work up a load and getting frustrated because it's getting old starting at the bottom and working your way up.... I've been reloading long enough that if you give me the spec's I'll getter done. I'm way too tight to buy Sierra's load manual and think they should provide it online for free, anyway..... So with that in mind I called Sierra and told'em what I've just shared....We visited about rifle being used, barrel length, brass used, powder, etc, etc.... and he came back with the recommended powder range and said it was perfectly safe to load my round at high end.................... I've said all that to say this.... call Hornady. |
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I never start at the bottom or "starting load" when loading rifle ammo. I usually will start somewhere in the middle or approximately 100 fps below my targeted velocity. This saves time, powder, bullets and barrel wear. I own a chronograph and will check velocity on the first rounds fired and compare it to what the book says it should be. I always take barrel length into consideration (both mine and theirs) when making these comparisons.
I always defer to the bullet manufacturer's data when using their bullets. Although they may weigh the same as the other companies bullets, they aren't the same. I've learned this the hard way before. Once learned, never forgotten. Hornady lists the maximum load for the 55 grain V-max, seated @ 2.250" oal and using H-322 as 23.1 grains. This will give 3100 fps from a 26" barrel, probably 2950 fps to 3000 fps maximum from a 20" barrel. I would feel comfortable loading five rounds @ 21.0 grains and increase each set of five by .3 grains at a time. Don't go over the maximum according to Hornady. 21.0, 21.3, 21.6, 21.9, 22.2, 22.5, 22.8 and 23.1 would be my test loads. Shoot the best groups you can using the highest power (quality) scope you own. Starting with the lowest charge shoot the first target and mark the charge weight on the target. Put the next target up and do the same. Walking down range to set up the next target will allow the barrel to cool between tests. You can review the targets later, make sure you make a mental note of any rounds that felt bad when you squeazed the trigger. Do this before you go down range, marking it on the target. If they all felt good, right that on the target too. It's very important that you are totally honest with yourself or you'll end up loading a bunch of second rate cartridges. Keep all fired rounds together and seperated in envelopes or plastic baggies so you can examine the primers when you get home. I use a magnifying glass. When I knock the primers out, starting with the lightest charge first, I look at the lip or edge of the spent primer. As the pressure increases you will notice it becoming more prominent. This is the beginnings of flattened primers and can easily be seen before problems actually ocurr. I always load the tightest shooting group and try it again. This is just a double check and it confirms what I found the first time out. Then I'll load a bunch based on these initial findings. This is a relatively easy way to find a good shooting load using a single powder and bullet combination. 100 yards is a minimum, 200 yards is better but not required. Stop testing any time you have pressure issues. Flattened primer, smoke around the primer, pierced or blown primers. Sticky bolt lift on a bolt action etc. All rounds that are too hot or higher must be disassembled ASAP. Clearly mark and seperate them from the flock until they can be pulled down. |
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boarderpatrol,
great write up. Thanks for the info. Looks like I got some work ahead of me. I'm going to save this for later though as if I want to shoot more than 100yrds by me I have to go to an out door range and it's just too damn cold for me to sit outside on a range testing reloads. I figure it's better to wait on the reloading until it gets closer to shooting time rather than reloading now and hoping I don't forget which rounds are which. Again, thanks to everyone who responded. Everyday on this website I learn something new. |
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Bullet Make& Wt. (gr) PowderType Charge(gr) MuzzleVel. (fps) K. E.(ft-lbs) BarrelLen. (in
55 Hornady, Hodgdon H-322, 21.0, 2552, 795, 16.0 55 Speer, Hodgdon H-322, 23.0, 2638 , 850, 15.0 55 Sierra , Hodgdon H-322, 24.3M, 3000, 109, 20.0 A couple loads I found for H322, not mine so work up to be safe. EWP |
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