223/5.56 battle loads 14.5” gun

[nedceifus]

Seems to be a lot of info on a lot of loads. But I would like to discuss the dichotomy of trying to find a balance between despersion, velocity, bullet drop & terminal performance with heavy for cal bullets out of a 14.5” 1:7 barrel. I don’t think load data for longer or even shorter barrels is directly applicable. My goal is to find a load that has no more than 2moa groupings @ 100 out of MY rifle. Has decent velocity & can carry itself out a ways. Consistent hits at 500ish. I’m looking at projectiles with a cantalure only. I’ve been loading Hornady 75gr BTHP but am open to a lighter bullet. Maybe a 68 or a 62. My 75’s like to go slow in order to group at 100. Like 2315 slow. I have pushed them faster into 5.56 pressures, but dispersion is unacceptable at the higher pressures. drop is substantial. My current load uses 23gr of CFE 223 with the 75’s following all the factory trim, & OAL specs. CCI 450 primers crimped.

 

[semperfireloading]

hi. Look no further. 22 grains of benchmark using those Hornady 75 grain BTHP at 2.255 OAL, with any brand brass and any primer brand, and your going to achieve what you want, across the board, with probably in the ~52k PSI pressure range, because that is under max load for sure. If you dont have Benchmark, use N135, if you dont have that, use AR Comp

 

[thedude824]

I use 77 grain SMK seconds I get cheap with 24 grains of TAC and CCI primers. It’s sub-MOA in my 14.5” Criterion barrel. I decap, wet tumble, and then prime on a single stage, then I size, throw powder, seat and crimp them on a Dillon 750. I usually measure a few cases after the 2nd firing once sized to determine if the lot will need to be trimmed a bit. If so I’ll do that before they go on the Dillon for the rest. I’ve come to distrust the Dillon primer system so I’ve had to change up my process.

 

[diggler1833]

OP: if the 75gr isn't working unless you run it really slow...pick a different bullet. Maybe the 62 or 68gr Hornady as you mentioned, but don't count out the 69 or 77gr SMK, or 77gr Berger, or 73gr ELD-M. I think you can get the Sierra stuff in 50 bullet boxes too, just in case load development doesn't work out.

No point in conceding that kind of velocity loss for accuracy until you've tested more projectiles, and powder can matter too.

Some barrels just prefer certain components.

 

[stello1001]

I think a 69TMK would be pretty good no?

 

[nedceifus]

Do any of you have velocity data for the above listed rounds?

 

[thedude824]

I’ll try to get chrono data this week.

 

[JR1200W3]

I don’t think load data for longer or even shorter barrels is directly applicable. My goal is to find a load that has no more than 2moa groupings @ 100 out of MY rifle. Has decent velocity & can carry itself out a ways. Consistent hits at 500ish.

Weird mindset to start looking for load data. If that's your goal, just get to reloading and shooting and figure it out. If you're asking other people online then be prepared to receive recommendations for loads that aren't specific to YOUR rifle.

What I've found in loading for .223 is that an accurate 75gr load shoots well in my 26" bolt gun, 20" SPR, and 14.5" and 16" ARs. .223 kinda be's like that. 24gr TAC with a SMK at mag length. 23gr of Benchmark/ 8208. There are some well known pet loads that repeatedly shoot well for people in their variety of guns. AA53/ MK 262 is a prime example of an all star ammunition that shoots well in everything. A benchmark to test guns with. Regardless of barrel length.

When I've tried 62 and 68gr bullets for my 14.5's I've never really gotten impressive results. 55gr have repeatedly shot better across a variety of bullet manufacturers. I kind of bin uses: 0 - 300 and 0 - 600 for shorter barreled ARs. 55's and 75/77's respectively. So, if you were to develop a load specific to a 14.5" barrel (that also doesn't work well for longer barreled/ range ARs) I would just find a 55gr bullet that shoots well. 62 or 68gr if that tickles your fancy, and you get them to shoot. But if you're just shooting short range bullets, aside from accuracy, there isn't much too it. Stay within pressure.

I would consider ease of reloading as more of a factor for short range loads. Since the requirements for accuracy and SDs isn't challenging, I'm more concerned about picking components that run through progressive presses well. A boat tail so the bullets don't fall off the case when they come out of the bullet feeder. Ball powders so they throw somewhat accurately. Decent quality brass that isn't expensive since you're probably going to lose more of them getting thrown out of the gun.

What you're asking for is on the lower end of the reloading difficulty scale.

Also, I haven't found cannelure vs non-cannelure to be real decisive, especially if you're already crimping.

 

[JR1200W3]

Do any of you have velocity data for the above listed rounds?

24gr TAC with 77's is likely going to look like 2800 out of a 20", 2700 out of a 16", and probably 2650 - 2700 out of a 14.5".

 

[joe777]

2800 fps with Barnes 69 OTM factory ammo out of DD 14.5

 

[.505gibbs]

Like many have already mentioned, 24 grains of TAC is a great load with a 77smk. In your 14.5 you will likely see 2630 to 2650.
I had the same conundrum as you recently with a 14.7 fn mid gas. I put it together as a sort of recce rifle but still wanted some speed with the heavier bullets. TAC will give you the velocity you want and should have no problem shooting under 2 inches if you and your barrel are capable.
Another load I tried recently was 25.2 gr of staball match in starline 5.56 not .223 brass with a Cci 450 and a 77smk. In my 14.7 I’m getting 2550 ish and it shoots right around 1.5 inches at 100 yards. Another plus is the temp stability.
Just this morning I went out and shot for speeds in the cold weather, 13 degrees in my area. I loaded a 20 round mag, put it in a plastic bag and left it in the back of the truck overnight. I loaded a separate mag and left it in the house and put it in my jacket pocket on the way out. With probes to measure temp in each mag there was exactly 60 degrees difference. The one at 13 degrees shot 2549 fps for a 20 round average with a sd of 17.6. The one at 73 degrees shot a 2551 average for 20 rounds with a sd of 17.3.
I’m not saying this test was perfect and the temp spread is not that extreme but to give nearly identical velocities is impressive.