First .223 loads, opinions

[Lumber_Jack]

This is true, I missed that.

good catch. that's 'similar to CFE223 I believe. (I was debating using 842 vs 844)

842 is hotter. You should drop 10-20% below CFE223.

[Romad7]

Something about a red dot and accuracy is the size of the reticle. At this range it's not much of an issue but there is a larger margin for error using a larger dot vs a fine crosshair.

[frankmako]

your group will get the job done.  don't worry about it.  it is in the black.  your load seems ok.  but without a chronograph to check who knows.  surplus powder varies between batches.  i have found this to be true, my chronograph tells me so.  all so a 16 inch barrel will give you less pfs than a 20 inch barrel.  most load data is based on a 20 inch barrel.  now for the primers.  most small rifle primers are soft and will flatten some.  now the exception are cci military, wolf, and tula primers.  i like the tula and/or wolf 5.56 primers for my 5.56 loads.  they do not flatten out.  but if i use any other brand with the same load i get some flatting.   your group and load data seems good.  load up and shoot on. 

[c.a.willard]

You could tune it more if you really want, but untill you throw a scope on to do some better accuracy testing id say leave it as it is.  Even at that distance your red dot is covring up 2 inches of the target.

[gregintenn]

I personally have never found any rhyme or reason for flattened primers. I've had them with light loads, and then not see them in max or near max loads. I usually pretty much ignore them as pressure signs, but I've always prefered to buy a gun in a bigger caliber instead of pushing the envelope with the one I have if I felt like I needed more power.

[Guest K7Sparky]

I'll go with gregintenn.

 

Flattened ? how much?  at 52,000 CUP they better be flat.  Even cratered flowing around the firing pin can be a problem other than pressure.  They are a SIGN only.

 

I cranked 357 loads with AA #9 in a Ruger Redhawk.  They made a few 357 when they first came out.  Same size as the 44 mag just quit boring at 357.  WAY more steel and I was young and DUMB.  At least smart enough to set the bullets out so they wouldn't fit in any other 357.  When I got to loose primer pockets, the primers were still just flat.  Happy ending, I gave up on that idiocy long ago.

 

Like gregintenn says, just buy something bigger.

 

A chronograph will tell you a lot more.  More velocity = more pressure if you are over spec run for cover.  If you are in the expected velocity range "It's Miller time"  They will also tell you how consistent your loads are.

 

I just checked and several models of Chroy sell for under $100 at Midway.  That's mighty cheap compared to visiting a Smitthy for repairs.

[Lumber_Jack]

I'll go with gregintenn.

Flattened ? how much? at 52,000 CUP they better be flat. Even cratered flowing around the firing pin can be a problem other than pressure. They are a SIGN only.

I cranked 357 loads with AA #9 in a Ruger Redhawk. They made a few 357 when they first came out. Same size as the 44 mag just quit boring at 357. WAY more steel and I was young and DUMB. At least smart enough to set the bullets out so they wouldn't fit in any other 357. When I got to loose primer pockets, the primers were still just flat. Happy ending, I gave up on that idiocy long ago.

Like gregintenn says, just buy something bigger.

A chronograph will tell you a lot more. More velocity = more pressure if you are over spec run for cover. If you are in the expected velocity range "It's Miller time" They will also tell you how consistent your loads are.

I just checked and several models of Chroy sell for under $100 at Midway. That's mighty cheap compared to visiting a Smitthy for repairs.

They are just slightly flattened, just smooth with the primer cup.

A Chrony is coming soon.

[Major Kong]

They are just slightly flattened, just smooth with the primer cup.

A Chrony is coming soon.

 

Have you decided which one you're getting? I'd like to have one too but the reviews on all of them seem to be hit or miss.

[Lumber_Jack]

They are just slightly flattened, just smooth with the primer cup.


A Chrony is coming soon.

Have you decided which one you're getting? I'd like to have one too but the reviews on all of them seem to be hit or miss.

From this thread:

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/index.php?/topic/54413-Chronographs?


Probably this one:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/852429/competition-electronics-prochrono-digital-chronograph

Second on the list:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/306796/shooting-chrony-alpha-master-chronograph?cm_vc=subv1852429

This one is compact and has a readout the sits on the bench. But the first one has better reviews overall. Edited March 31, 2013 by Lumber_Jack

[timthetoolman]

I use 842 and David's pulls for 223.  I chrony everything and go for accuracy.  I landed at a favorite load of 24.6 grains of 842, with a CCI SR Primer, OAL of 2.235".  They function well, dont flatten or eject primers, hold about 1.5" at 100 yards using a 9 power Nikon, and run nice and cool.  

 

I was going for 3100 fps, but accuracy diminished over 24.7 grains.  With the 24.6 grain load I got the following velocities:

 

3086

3075

3076

3080

3082

3075

3075

3079

3081

3078

 

I was very happy with the consistency of the speeds. And the speeds landed me really close to the drops in my Nikon 600 yard reticle scope...which I was only able to test out to 300.  

 

Hope this helps.

 

Tim

[leftyk82]

Thanks Tim. That helps me a lot. I had good results with 24.4g and was wondering what else would be good.