.223 Brass Cool to touch after firing.

[SK13R]

Me and some friends were out shooting and a buddy was shooting my model 11 .223 and noticed how cool my brass was right after firing. I had never noticed before. But compared to the AR's and pistols we were shooting my brass was extremely cool. I'm thinking it only changed a few degrees. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this or knew why? Just cause its a bolt gun? I'm not worried about anything, just like learning and curious. They are hand loads. 24.0 gr Varget pushing a 69 SMK. Thanks!

[earl39]

It is a bolt gun and because it has a few seconds in the chamber after firing the barrel acts as a heat-sink pulling heat away from the brass. An auto pulls the brass out before the barrel can pull the heat from the brass.

[SK13R]

Well, now I feel silly for asking. Ha. Thanks! That makes complete sense.

[earl39]

Hey if you don't ask how will you ever find out stuff?

[SK13R]

True!

[Luke45]

They are hand loads. 24.0 gr Varget pushing a 69 SMK. Thanks!

have you ever gone over 24 gr varget?

[SK13R]

Yeah. I looked when I got home and it's actually 25. I tested above that but 25 was my most accurate. Around 24 is what I'm going to be testing with imr4064 & different bullet this weekend so I had a brain fart.

[Luke45]

ok! just thought 24 was pretty light, that makes sense.

[SK13R]

Ha yeah! That's why I checked when I got home. It didn't sound right after I posted it.

[Luke45]

my pet load is 25.3 gr varget/ 69 smk but i cant find any dang varget anymore!

[SK13R]

I know! It's impossible to find up here to! I've only got a pound left so I'm trying out the imr4064 with the horn hpbt to see what happens. I can get that powder at any store it seems like. Save my varget for the smks

[Jay24bal]

Seems to be a sweet spot. 25.4 gr Varget is my pet load for 69 gr SMKs.