.223 'compressed' loads?

[bodywerks]

I am putting together some loads to work up for my FCP-K in .223:
Hornady virgin brass
Remington primers
Sierra 69g BTHP
Varget powder(also have IMR4064 that I have not gotten to yet)
I have been reading personal load data online, as well as the Lyman, Sierra, and One-book-One-caliber manuals. They are calling about 25.9 grains of varget as the max load and a 2.260 COAL They do not call that a compressed load.
However, when I was loading the bullet over just 25.5 grains, I started getting that crunching sound at about 2.295 COAL. It didn't become more difficult to press down, but the sound concerned me. I ended up stopping at a 2.283 COAL - longer than the listed max but my savage will chamber it and still have the bullet slightly off the lands.
My question is, is this considered a 'compressed' load? Should I expect catastrophe?
Of course, I worked down from this load, and brought my COAL down to 2.272, but could still feel the bullet touching the grains at as low as 24.0 grains. My starting load is 23.5 grains, working up .5 grains from there.
Do I fire away and stop if I see pressure signs? Do compressed loads do different things to brass that maybe I should look for?

 

[badbot]

Re: .223 'compressed' loads?

virjin brass can have less capisity, my 308 holds 2 gr more after fireforming. crunching is compressing so yes these are compressed loads. you never should start close to max loads. start low and work up. light loads will fireform your brass after this neck size and work up loads for your combination.

 

[bodywerks]

Re: .223 'compressed' loads?

Yeah, I only started at 25.5 because that was where my powder thrower was already set to. I plan to start with the 23 grain loads and work up.

 

[alf]

Re: .223 'compressed' loads?

A couple problems with compressed loads is severe crunching can break up the kernels and could alter the burning rate of the powder. The other is not being able to hit your target seating depth, or being able to keep it there.

Try a longer drop tube and dump slower.

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: .223 'compressed' loads?

A) Varget and crunch pretty much go together
B) using a drop tube or vibrating the case after inserting powder can reduce the volume occupied by the powder.
C) if moderate neck tension holds the bullet (no increase in OAL after 224 hours) then the crunch will not be dangerous <insert whole bunch of caveats>