Hello,
I'll soon be receiving my RRA ATH in 223 and I want to load some 53gr V-max bullets. They are a boat tail round with a BC of .290 so they oughta perform well. There's not much load data for them so I was wondering if anyone has used them and what seems to be the recipe of choice. I have some H335 and some Varget so I'm leaning towards those powders unless someone has found something better.
Thanks!
I've ran in sorta the same thing with certain specific bullets looking for load data within say either powder's manufacture load data or a bullet manufactures site. Such as Sierra bullets, usually I skip over Hornady. the ogive or as some like to say profile does make difference. However the same weight can usually be found as act as a rough guide even if it's not the exact projectile.
There are many methods to find a safe load for your rifle load combination, one method that could be used is a simple ladder test, although unless your shooting at 400yds won't give a actual true accuracy node as a rule. But, because of the increasing increments within the test can be used to find the upper pressure limits before exceeding them. I'm I advocating the sole use of this method. NO I'm not I'm simply stating it "COULD" be used if interchanging components' from published data. But if chosen I would recommend stating at the bottom end of published data, but it's your gun your face / hand / eyeballs. Hence my recommendation.
Reading primers, primer pockets, and other signs can sometimes be misleading in certain circumstances, but as a rule is one of the best method one can use without obtaining and using specialized pressure test equipment. Such as the industry uses before publishing load data.
The factors of chamber tolerances, leade design, powder and or bullet manufacture's deviation standards. Map pressure limits within a Semi- automatic or even a even a full automatic such as the M249 as a example. (here I'm not wading into the 5.56mm vs the .223 debate. I could, but chose not to. Just follow your manufacture's advice is my advice. If you ignore that, well that is on you. I'm simply stating the differences that makes a difference in load pressure testing)
SAAMI while a voluntary standard is well, just that voluntary not mandated so it's truly not a enforceable standard spec. This is not wise for a manufacture to not adhere, but fact is SAAMI can't force a standard on ammunition or firearm production. They advise and publish, no where can they halt or fine production or punish for not adhering to their publish standards. It is voluntary.
Before everyone wigs out understand that SAAMI has taken the interchangeability of ammo and firearms to a greater of safety than was ever available prior to it's inception and acceptance by the manufacturers'. Their program and efforts has been a booming success story.
To the Op's question I personally would use Hodgden load data site recommendation using a coal of 2.200" (or even deviate a little bit, provided they are not jamming into the lands or so short a coal that it causes issues) start at 24.0 grs of H335 using a ladder test method according to Hodgden redline should be 26.0grs (53grs).
Because of the Hornady's ogive do I "think" the COAL could be set longer than Hodgdon recommended COAL for the 53 gr Sierria in a ladder? Yes I think it could, but I personally would use the published COAL length an go from there.
Just a recommendation YMMV, personally I like H335 for the .223/5.56mm and usually recommend it. Why well it performs well across the 5 different AR's with varying twist rate, barrel lengths, and differing chambers. The most accurate loads is the 50 to 55gr projectile (I usually stick with FB deigns) with the 12 twist (at mag length). Although my goal of minute of PD can be obtained in the M4 clone of 14.5" with a 1-7' twist using the exact same load. Even though it is really overspin and shows it's tail at the just before the 400 yard line. Which a BT design such as the Hornady V-max could shine here because of the added length vs the FB design. Again YMMV, I'm simply stating my experience.
