Sierra Manual 223 - Use AR-15 or Bolt Gun Data?

[LostInJersey]

I have a bolt action chambered in 5.56. Sierra breaks it down into two sections. AR-15 loads and Bolt Gun loads. I'll throw some 52gr HPBT data out for comparison.

H335
AR-15 - 24.3gr to 26.7gr
Bolt - 21.1gr to 24gr

That's some drastically different loads. Hodgdon would seem to agree with the AR-15 loads. So what am I actually supposed to go with? Because I don't want to undercharge and get a squib, but I don't want to overcharge and cause damage.

 

[Doom]

556 and 223 have different pressure standards and testing protocols. The data for bolt is 223 SAAMI and was tested in a universal receiver. The 556 is a Colt AR and probably instrumented per mil spec. There is a small difference in chamber dimensions.

Bolt gun max is 24.9gr not 24 per Sierra.

Use the bolt gun data. The differences in chamber dimensions won’t significantly change the load. I can tell you that much over 25gr on a hot day can give you overpressure. Be careful, because 335 is temperature sensitice.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Weird I show for 52 or 53 gr bullet
H335
AR-15 - 24.3gr to 26.7gr
RemBolt - 24.1gr to 27.6gr

 

[LostInJersey]

556 and 223 have different pressure standards and testing protocols. The data for bolt is 223 SAAMI and was tested in a universal receiver. The 556 is a Colt AR and probably instrumented per mil spec. There is a small difference in chamber dimensions.

Bolt gun max is 24.9gr not 24 per Sierra.

Use the bolt gun data. The differences in chamber dimensions won’t significantly change the load. I can tell you that much over 25gr on a hot day can give you overpressure. Be careful, because 335 is temperature sensitice.

Yea, I don't feel the need to go max load. If I want to shoot beyond 100 yards, I'll switch to 69gr. Could run some H4895 or Varget. I just was given 8 lbs of H335 so I figured might as well use it for the lower weight bullets.

 

[LostInJersey]

Weird I show for 52 or 53 gr bullet
H335
AR-15 - 24.3gr to 26.7gr
RemBolt - 24.1gr to 27.6gr

That's the 5th edition, right?

I have their 6th edition physical copy.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Yes 5th edition.

 

[LostInJersey]

Yes 5th edition.

For some reason, it looks like they back off the bolt powders in the new edition.

 

[mcfred]

Hodgdon Online says 24.0-26.0 start/max H335 for a 53gr Sierra. Even at 21gr I would not be concerned over a squib unless you're developing loads at -40˚.

 

[SporterII]

Sierra accuracy load velocity might be a clue. I run the 52 at 3300. Three different rifles including a 12 tw Brux short chambered by SAC. H4895.
69 @3000.

 

[Mr Tibbs]

556 and 223 have different pressure standards and testing protocols. The data for bolt is 223 SAAMI and was tested in a universal receiver. The 556 is a Colt AR and probably instrumented per mil spec. There is a small difference in chamber dimensions.

Bolt gun max is 24.9gr not 24 per Sierra.

Use the bolt gun data. The differences in chamber dimensions won’t significantly change the load. I can tell you that much over 25gr on a hot day can give you overpressure. Be careful, because 335 is temperature sensitice.

I agree with the above,the Bolt action doesn’t have to deal with the gas/pressures of the Gas Guns, my savage bolt action eats every powder and bullet weight I’ve every put in it