Conflicting Load Info..

[Misfire]

I'm loading some Hornady 60gr V-Max bullets for my AR. I chose to start out with Hodgdon Varget Powder and I'm finding conflicting start and max load info..

According to the Hornady Book the Starting Load is 21.7 and the Max Load is 24.9gr. This load info is also confirmed in a book I bought a Cabelas called, "The Complete Reloading Manual for the .223 Remington."

According to Hogdon's website the Starting Load for the 60gr V-Max and Varget is 25gr and the Max Load is 27gr.
Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com


This appears to be a big difference in starting and max loads. The starting load from the Hodgdon website is larger than the max load provided by Hornady.

I suppose I should start with the Hornady info and work my way up but I figured I'd ask here first. Any danger of starting too low at 21.7 gr if the Hodgdon site is correct and I should be starting at 25gr?


.

 

[bwaites]

I'm loading some Hornady 60gr V-Max bullets for my AR. I chose to start out with Hodgdon Varget Powder and I'm finding conflicting start and max load info..

According to the Hornady Book the Starting Load is 21.7 and the Max Load is 24.9gr. This load info is also confirmed in a book I bought a Cabelas called, "The Complete Reloading Manual for the .223 Remington."

According to Hogdon's website the Starting Load for the 60gr V-Max and Varget is 25gr and the Max Load is 27gr.
Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com


This appears to be a big difference in starting and max loads. The starting load from the Hodgdon website is larger than the max load provided by Hornady.

I suppose I should start with the Hornady info and work my way up but I figured I'd ask here first. Any danger of starting too low at 21.7 gr if the Hodgdon site is correct and I should be starting at 25gr?


.

I don't load for the .223 or 5.56, but perhaps the difference is the difference between .223 loads for civilian use, and 5.56 loads for military use?

I do know the chambers are slightly different, and that .223 ammo can be fired safely in 5.56 chambers, but that the reverse may not be true.

C'mon, some of you experienced AR loaders should know!!

Bill

 

[johnnyk]

Misfire,
Not sure why there's a difference in the Hornady data. I looked it up in my Nosler #6 and there is a difference in the .223 and 5.56mm data there. For the .223 Rem. I'm seeing 22.5-24.5gn of Varget as min/max load for the 60gn Partition. For the 5.56x45mm I'm seeing 23.0-25.0gn's of Varget for the 69gn Competition.
Normally, as the bullet weight increases the amount of powder is less. Only thing I can think of is the thicker brass for the 5.56 and the gas(pressure) required for operating the gas system of the AR.
I've loaded for the .223 in a bolt rifle but never in a gas gun. JohnnyK.

 

[bwaites]

Hey, JohnyK, ever find any good coyote spots?

I'm up in Connell now, and may have a spot on a large farm pretty soon.

Bill

 

[Misfire]

Ok, I e-mailed Hornady and called Hodgdon. (Hodgdon's website recomends calling instead of e-mailing. They got to my call rather quickly.)

I haven't heard back from Hornady yet but the Hodgdon Rep I spoke with said that their load data was perfectly safe for .223 and I should use theirs instead of the Hornady. He did state what case and primer they used so I'm not sure if his recommendation was based on the assumption that I was using the same components or not.

We'll see what Hornady has to say; either way I think I'll be fine using either info.

.