Vmax 53's, .223 with Varget & IMR 4895

Shooting from Model 10, FCP-K (muzzle brake). I've not found any better load data for this bullet anywhere else. I'm using 26 grains IMR 4895 and am clocking 3250 FPS. I shot some beautiful groups with this load. Seeking to improve, I tried 27 grains of Varget. It shot bullets into one hole at 100. I haven't clocked this load yet. I did notice a "small" crater effect on the primer with the Varget load of 27 grains. Minute little lip around the firing pin strike. The primer body isn't flattened, blackened, or backed out. The primers are CCI 400 small rifle. I'm keeping the bullets about .015 from lands/grooves using the Hornady OAL guage tool. Using neck sized LC brass and trimmed.

The data for Varget and IMR4895 from the Hodgdon website doesn't list this bullet (53 Vmax). Lyman manual list 27.8 grains Varget for a 55 grain softpoint.

Does the small crater suggest high pressure to anyone? I have plenty of IMR 4895 and Varget so I'm trying to stay with these two powders.

That's usually a pretty good sign of pressure and given the velocities your getting i would say your maxed out. How are the primer pockets holding up? If the pockets are still tight I would call it quits right there.

Those primers are thinner than BR primers, try 1 of the 3 different BR primers and I bet the cratering goes away.

You are probably at the top of the Varget load. Be interested to know the velocity vs the 4895. Was the Varget more accurate? If you haven't ried any yet, try some N133. I'm getting 3316fps with the 53gr. I can push it to 3400+ but it start to open a bit.

I believe I'm at the edge using 27 grains Varget also. Primer pockets are holding up ok. Additionally, I'm getting Winchester primers today. I'm out of the CCI and ya'll know they will be unavailable for some time. I'll time the load with 26.5 and 27 of Varget over the next couple of days and post them here. As far as accuracy, both Varget and IMR 4895 will shoot into the same hole at 100. I'm also going to get out to 200/300 this week. This rifle is my prairie dog rifle # 2. I also shoot a 243 with 55 grain stuff as # 1. Have to allow some cooling time you know.

I agree with 308law, I had some issues with my AI and having small dimples on the primer, I switched and never saw the dimple again. Good luck! Ackley that thing and you wont have to trim brass as much!

Standard small rifle primers are designed for lower pressure cartridges like the 22 hornet, 222 Rem, or the 218 bee. They have thinner cups. The 223 Rem, 221 Fireball and the 204 Ruger should use either small rifle magnum, military style or better yet, bench rest primers, these all have the thicker cups designed for the higher pressures of these more modern cartridges. The standard small rifle will work, but if your pushing for a max velocity load try the bench rest primers.

Has anyone tried Hodgdon CFE223 yet, with the 53 gr V-max ?

I just loaded 500 53 gr. V-max for my bro's bushmaster with 26 gr. IMR 4895. He's getting a hair over 3000 fps with a 16.5 in. Barrel. Accuracy is great. 1 in. at 100 with 16.5 in. barrel. About half the size he was getting with Remington factory soft points(55 gr.) It is a compression load with no signs of pressure. Also my first .223 load. It's a little small for my tastes. :cool:

try some AR Comp powder cci 450 mag. Primres ......DPMS sweet 16 3100 m.v. Same hole

I try my best to stick with the 3 powders I use now. Although I am in the market for a second universal pistol powder. I guess they would call me a preper/horder. I also usually don't load to max. I try to load for accuracy and I don't want to shorten the life of my cases more than I need to. 3000 fps out of a 16 in. barrel is good enough. The ballistics match my bro's nikon scope also.

I am shooting the same bullet from an788 Rmington with 26 grains of the old 748 win. powder. Great accuracy and no signs of pressure problems.

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Originally Posted by 308law

Standard small rifle primers are designed for lower pressure cartridges like the 22 hornet, 222 Rem, or the 218 bee. They have thinner cups. The 223 Rem, 221 Fireball and the 204 Ruger should use either small rifle magnum, military style or better yet, bench rest primers, these all have the thicker cups designed for the higher pressures of these more modern cartridges. The standard small rifle will work, but if your pushing for a max velocity load try the bench rest primers.

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Check out my post on primer size in the reloading section. Would like to hear your thoughts.