.223 Varget Loads. What?

[Tactical30]

Im new to reloading so be easy on me.

I have been reloading alot for my .223 AR platforms and i noticed with the Varget loads the max listed is around 23.7gr.-23.9gr. for the 77gr. SMK but I see all this data that guys are loading up to 25.3gr!

Is this safe or just way over the max?

Whats going here?

 

[pdogdown]

Re: .223 Varget Loads. What?

Start with the book load and work up. Also, some of those loads may be in bolt guns so make sure you verify that also. You will find that different books, powder websites, etc. show different maxes for the same load.

Also different OALs can make some difference.

 

[michaeltx]

Re: .223 Varget Loads. What?

Max book loads can often be exceeded safely, but you need to be familiar with pressure signs, and work up loads very slowly when you go above book loads. You must be extremely cautious if you decide to try going above published loads.

Book data tends to be consevative, but not every firearm is safe with even max book loads.

 

[akxx]

Re: .223 Varget Loads. What?

Keep in mind that 5.56-chambered ARs (as well as Wylde, Noveske's NMm0) have higher pressure tolerances than .223-chambered barrels.

Therefore 1 person's AR load could be perfectly safe in his barrel, but may cause serious problems in another.

 

[gunman_7]

Re: .223 Varget Loads. What?

I get 25.6grns on Varget in my Winchester cases, topped with a 75grn Amax pushing them around 3100+ fps... I am crushing powder if memory serves me right, guess we'll find out today as I need to load a bunch up...

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: .223 Varget Loads. What?

223 Rem data is at 52K PSI, and 5.56 NATO is at 62+PSI. So, for a 5.56 chamber, you can load higher than the 223 Rem data. Almost all data listed is 223 Rem data. So, work up in small increments over 223 Rem book max data. It is usually around 1-1.5 grains higher, depending on the powder/bullet combo used.