Anybody have a good Varget load

H

Hillshooter

New member
My new AR upper will be here this week, Red X 16" fluted bull barrel 5.56. I have never owned this caliber before so here are a few questions.
Can I use the same load data for the 223 as the 5.56
I take it from other posts that loading to mag length will get me the best results
The components that I have on hand are 55gn V-Max, thousands of cci, winchester and remington small rifle primers, lots of varget powder and both 5.56 and 223 brass.
Any help in starting my load workup is appreciated, thanks.
 
Originally Posted By: HillshooterMy new AR upper will be here this week, Red X 16" fluted bull barrel 5.56. I have never owned this caliber before so here are a few questions.
Can I use the same load data for the 223 as the 5.56
I take it from other posts that loading to mag length will get me the best results
The components that I have on hand are 55gn V-Max, thousands of cci, winchester and remington small rifle primers, lots of varget powder and both 5.56 and 223 brass.
Any help in starting my load workup is appreciated, thanks.

"Can I use the same load data for the 223 as the 5.56"

Yes - they are the same cartridge.

You can use Varget, but it really is too slow for the 55gr bullet - you would do better with one of the faster powders like H4895, 8208, Benchmark, BLC2, H335.

.
 


"Yes - they are the same cartridge.

You can use Varget, but it really is too slow for the 55gr bullet - you would do better with one of the faster powders like H4895, 8208, Benchmark, BLC2, H335."

+1

BLC2 and H335 are fantastic with the 55's, great speed and accuracy. I also shoot a load of 23.5g of H322 with the 55's in my 223.
 
Hillshooter there is no magic formula for your rifle.. More than likely you will need to try more than a few powder/bullet combos to get one that shoots in your rifle.

The only way to see if Varget is going to work in your rifle is to try it.
 
Originally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: HillshooterMy new AR upper will be here this week, Red X 16" fluted bull barrel 5.56. I have never owned this caliber before so here are a few questions.
Can I use the same load data for the 223 as the 5.56
I take it from other posts that loading to mag length will get me the best results
The components that I have on hand are 55gn V-Max, thousands of cci, winchester and remington small rifle primers, lots of varget powder and both 5.56 and 223 brass.
Any help in starting my load workup is appreciated, thanks.

"Can I use the same load data for the 223 as the 5.56"

Yes - they are the same cartridge.

You can use Varget, but it really is too slow for the 55gr bullet - you would do better with one of the faster powders like H4895, 8208, Benchmark, BLC2, H335.

.

.223 Rem and 5.56 Nato are not the same cartridge, nor should you use the same load data. Many people believe they are one and the same but it is simply not true.
Primarily the difference is more about chamber dimensions, specifically throat length, and about brass thickness and case capacity. Chamber pressure can become a danger if you go the wrong way because of this. I havent the time to go into much more detail, but google it and you will find very detailed information. Be safe and get all the facts before you proceed. Good luck.
 
Originally Posted By: VaHowlerOriginally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: HillshooterMy new AR upper will be here this week, Red X 16" fluted bull barrel 5.56. I have never owned this caliber before so here are a few questions.
Can I use the same load data for the 223 as the 5.56
I take it from other posts that loading to mag length will get me the best results
The components that I have on hand are 55gn V-Max, thousands of cci, winchester and remington small rifle primers, lots of varget powder and both 5.56 and 223 brass.
Any help in starting my load workup is appreciated, thanks.

"Can I use the same load data for the 223 as the 5.56"

Yes - they are the same cartridge.

You can use Varget, but it really is too slow for the 55gr bullet - you would do better with one of the faster powders like H4895, 8208, Benchmark, BLC2, H335.

.

.223 Rem and 5.56 Nato are not the same cartridge, nor should you use the same load data. Many people believe they are one and the same but it is simply not true.
Primarily the difference is more about chamber dimensions, specifically throat length, and about brass thickness and case capacity. Chamber pressure can become a danger if you go the wrong way because of this. I havent the time to go into much more detail, but google it and you will find very detailed information. Be safe and get all the facts before you proceed. Good luck.


Sorry, but that is purely wrong.

The chamber dimentions vary in ALL rifles. That is why we "work up loads". I have owned a bunch of rifles - marked 223 and marked 5.56... none of them had chambers that were similar to any other one.

Case volume and dimensions are exactly the same - pressures are the same - it is the SAME.

EVERY SINGLE CHAMBER IS DIFFERENT.

.. if they are not, and as you say, "... nor should you use the same load data.", then just where is the loading data that people are supposed to use for the 5.56

I have NEVER seen a separate section for loading data for the 5.56 and MILLIONS of people load for it.

The brass capacity and thickness are the same for the 5.56 case as every day .223 cases.

I really don't know where you get this stuff. This garbage just keeps going around and around and around...


 
Thanks guys, I know that I will have to "work up " a load for my rifle, that's not a problem, I was just getting an idea of what you all were using for a starting point. I was asking about the 223-5.56 because in my reloading manuels there wasn't a seperate section for the 5.56, so thanks for clearing that up. I think that I will go get a pound of benchmark and try some H4895 that I have now and try a few different loads to see what she likes. I'll continue to shoot the varget in my 22-250 so no problem there. Now comes the good part, RANGE TIME! Thanks everybody.
 
Mine shoots the varget just fine at 24.5gr. I tested loads from 24 to 26.5 in half grain steps and definately settled in at 24.5. That's over CCI BR-4 primers and using 55gr VMAX and out of a 20" barrel.
 
Originally Posted By: whoadogMine shoots the varget just fine at 24.5gr. I tested loads from 24 to 26.5 in half grain steps and definately settled in at 24.5. That's over CCI BR-4 primers and using 55gr VMAX and out of a 20" barrel.


With that load, you are getting about 2900-2950 fps.

I think most people would want better performance out of a 223 than that.
 
Originally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: VaHowlerOriginally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: HillshooterMy new AR upper will be here this week, Red X 16" fluted bull barrel 5.56. I have never owned this caliber before so here are a few questions.
Can I use the same load data for the 223 as the 5.56
I take it from other posts that loading to mag length will get me the best results
The components that I have on hand are 55gn V-Max, thousands of cci, winchester and remington small rifle primers, lots of varget powder and both 5.56 and 223 brass.
Any help in starting my load workup is appreciated, thanks.

"Can I use the same load data for the 223 as the 5.56"

Yes - they are the same cartridge.

You can use Varget, but it really is too slow for the 55gr bullet - you would do better with one of the faster powders like H4895, 8208, Benchmark, BLC2, H335.

.
I recommend you get your facts straight before you offer load data. I will stand by what i stated because i know it to be fact. Sure all rifle chambers will vary slightly by a few thousandths. I'm talking about SAAMI specs. Look them up and you might learn something. the information is available for anyone willing to open their mind and read it. You said "Yes- they are the same cartridge." YOU are wrong my friend!
.223 Rem and 5.56 Nato are not the same cartridge, nor should you use the same load data. Many people believe they are one and the same but it is simply not true.
Primarily the difference is more about chamber dimensions, specifically throat length, and about brass thickness and case capacity. Chamber pressure can become a danger if you go the wrong way because of this. I havent the time to go into much more detail, but google it and you will find very detailed information. Be safe and get all the facts before you proceed. Good luck.


Sorry, but that is purely wrong.

The chamber dimentions vary in ALL rifles. That is why we "work up loads". I have owned a bunch of rifles - marked 223 and marked 5.56... none of them had chambers that were similar to any other one.

Case volume and dimensions are exactly the same - pressures are the same - it is the SAME.

EVERY SINGLE CHAMBER IS DIFFERENT.

.. if they are not, and as you say, "... nor should you use the same load data.", then just where is the loading data that people are supposed to use for the 5.56

I have NEVER seen a separate section for loading data for the 5.56 and MILLIONS of people load for it.

The brass capacity and thickness are the same for the 5.56 case as every day .223 cases.

I really don't know where you get this stuff. This garbage just keeps going around and around and around...


 
Hey HowlerDude...

When you post and quote someone, you are supposed to actually say something as a reply.

While on the subject...

"I recommend you get your facts straight before you offer load data. I will stand by what i stated because i know it to be fact. Sure all rifle chambers will vary slightly by a few thousandths. I'm talking about SAAMI specs. Look them up and you might learn something. the information is available for anyone willing to open their mind and read it."

First, I have the SAAMI drawing for the .223 Remington on my wall, you know nothing dweeb.

Second, for the past two years, I ran an ammunition company and was head of production and ballistics. In 2011, we did more than 400,000 rounds of 223/5.56 that was used in both civilian .223 rifles, and military (police-M4s), machine guns. They were fired on all the current M4 and 223 makers, plus bunches of bolt guns.

And if you knew ANYTHING about guns and chambers, you would know that chambers vary by a hellova lot more that "a few thousandths"

Go look at your chamber drawings and tell us what the min and max dimensions are for the 223 neck, headspace and OAL... it's a lot more than "... a few thousandths", dummy.

You are all hot air and BS... and there is nothing inside of your empty mind.

 
Actually, Nosler#6 manual has a section for the 5.56. It's for their heavier bullets 69-80 grain bullets, and fast twist barrels. Sierra also list AR data seperate from the bolt action data.

Cases are the same, pressures are the same.
 
.223 info page

To the OP, Varget will be slow. There are pet loads listed on this link 2/3 of the way down. You will also find a link to the Sierra AR loads.

If you scroll down you will find a chart on case capacity, and you will see they are close to all being the same.

In the larger calibers, military brass is thicker, but in 5.56 it is the same as .223.
 
Whatever you say CatSh**ter. You obviously know everything about everything and are a legend in your own mind. I'm not wasting anymore time arguing with an online expert.
And I don't give a good crap what you have on your wall or what you did for the last two years.
If you really know so much then you should know better.
Grow up jerk!
I'm done with this.
 
Originally Posted By: VaHowlerWhatever you say CatSh**ter. You obviously know everything about everything and are a legend in your own mind. I'm not wasting anymore time arguing with an online expert.
And I don't give a good crap what you have on your wall or what you did for the last two years.
If you really know so much then you should know better.
Grow up jerk!
I'm done with this.

Yup... sure.

It's what happens when you step in it over your head. Nothing left but nastiness.
 
Originally Posted By: CatShooterOriginally Posted By: VaHowlerWhatever you say CatSh**ter. You obviously know everything about everything and are a legend in your own mind. I'm not wasting anymore time arguing with an online expert.
And I don't give a good crap what you have on your wall or what you did for the last two years.
If you really know so much then you should know better.
Grow up jerk!
I'm done with this.

Yup... sure.

It's what happens when you step in it over your head. Nothing left but nastiness.



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LMAO!
 
A good load for Varget? I wanted to answer there is no such thing (ok, IME), however I think it just might work well in my newest AR .223 Rem. 26.4g Varget Rem. 7 1/2 primer and 60g Nosler BT. Not certain yet, but the best luck I`ve had with Varget..after burning a pound and a half.

BTW- this load was slightly compressed and if I recall correctly the max suggested so always double check any loads you see posted on the net, and work up to it.
 
Originally Posted By: HookedA good load for Varget? I wanted to answer there is no such thing (ok, IME), however I think it just might work well in my newest AR .223 Rem. 26.4g Varget Rem. 7 1/2 primer and 60g Nosler BT. Not certain yet, but the best luck I`ve had with Varget..after burning a pound and a half.

BTW- this load was slightly compressed and if I recall correctly the max suggested so always double check any loads you see posted on the net, and work up to it.


A good load for Varget? I wanted to answer there is no such thing [ok, IME]


That's what I wanted to say as well, but they won't let me anymore.
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If I didn`t have a half pound left I darn sure wouldn`t have run out and bought more to try.
You give up completely?
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