223 Remington issues.

hunterbob · #1 11-24-2022, 07:47 PM

New caliber to reload for. 55gr Hornady V-Max bullets. PMC once fired brass. Charger powder. Reloading manual and Hodgdon site both say 25.5gr starting point and max 27.5gr. With 25.5 FR the case is pretty full but I seated bullets with no problem. When I shake them there is no sound of movement inside the cases. I measured a max load and the case is really full. I don’t want to have compressed loads. This is the smallest cases I have ever worked with and haven’t seen this situation before. I will try to include a picture of the max load case.

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elkhunter11 · #2 11-24-2022, 07:54 PM

Get a funnel wirh a drop tube.

hunterbob · #3 11-24-2022, 08:05 PM

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rembo · #4 11-24-2022, 08:26 PM

PMC brass is reported to be much heavier than most. I'd back that off a couple grains.

hunterbob · #5 11-24-2022, 08:46 PM

Thanks for the info. I found that by continually tapping the case and slowly dribbling the powder I could get 26 grains in just to the bottom of the neck. I will try the 25.5 and check for pressure signs before proceeding.

elkhunter11 · #6 11-24-2022, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunterbob

Thanks for the info. I found that by continually tapping the case and slowly dribbling the powder I could get 26 grains in just to the bottom of the neck. I will try the 25.5 and check for pressure signs before proceeding.

If you use a drop tube, no tapping or dribbling is required, and you will get more powder in the case without compressing.

Faststeel · #7 11-25-2022, 12:41 AM

Neck sizing will help with powder capacity

catnthehat · #8 11-25-2022, 06:50 AM

If compression is a worry go to a higher capacity brass or a faster powder .
I have used compressed loads in the .223 for over 40 years in several different rifles with absolutely no issues, and so has every other match shooter I have ever known.
It is not a big deal if you have proper neck tension with a properly worked upload.
Cat

pikergolf · #9 11-25-2022, 06:56 AM

I am assuming the powder is Varget? I had much better luck with benchmark in my .223, more accurate and no compressed load. If it is Varget at 55gr. you would be better off with a faster powder. Benchmark.

Dick284 · #10 11-25-2022, 07:02 AM

I still have no idea what the OP is using for powder…….. did I miss something?

waldedw · #11 11-25-2022, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick284

I still have no idea what the OP is using for powder…….. did I miss something?

Nope the powder was never mentioned ??

Dick284 · #12 11-25-2022, 07:18 AM

OP!

It’s probably more important to know how to ask a question, than to seek an answer.

Answer this for us.

Which powder?

Further to this…..

Why would you continue loading if case capacity runs out without doing some sort of preliminary load testing……… it is far more prudent to load a few rounds at the start load, and go shoot those and confirm velocity and functionality as opposed to loading a pile of loads to then possibly be pulling bullets and salvaging components because the under capacity(mil-spec) cases you are using built pressure sooner than the commercial brass used in the loading data you sourced.

hunterbob · #13 11-25-2022, 11:29 AM

The powder is varget. Thought I included that in my post but I see I didn’t. Trying to use Varget because I have some. Will try to find Benchmark. Haven’t looked for any in GP so wish me luck. So far I’ve only loaded 5 rounds at 25.5gr which is the starting load. I have no experience with compressed loads so that’s why I was trying to avoid it.