223AI Need Help

[stuff]

I need some help. 1st off I'm not a very experienced reloader and I was hoping someone could use Quickload or had some insight as to if I'm going to blow my face off?

I have a 223AI and I'm using the Nosler 70gr RDF with Varget. I checked Hodgdon reloading page for the 223R, max load of Varget is 26.0gr, this is where I started my ladder. I went from 26.0gr to 27.0gr in 0.2gr increments. This is what happened.

I don't think I got any pressure signs, no sticky bolt, cratered/flattened primers, or ejector swipes. But it would be nice to know if anyone thinks I'm in the danger zone. My COAL is 2.475" jumping to the rifling and it's not a compressed load.

2nd, I need help interpreting my groups. To me it seems obvious that group #4, 26.6grs is the optimal charge. But I remember something about the height of the groups being different nodes?

Thanks

 

[Cowcatcher]

#4 is indeed a pretty dang nice group. If you didn't feel or see any pressure signs then you should be good to go. Nobody else can say for sure because you are the one who would've had the evidence if there was any.

 

[clcustom1911]

I would do 5 each at 26.4, 26.6, and 26.8 to see if that awesome group happens again. Jumping .4 grains in that small case capacity is a pretty big jump.

 

[Aftermath]

What were your velocities?

 

[918v]

I would do 26.5, 26.6, and 26.7, also same charges plus and minus .005” on the coal.

 

[RTH1800]

One issue I have had with the AI cases is that excess pressure can be hard to detect. No ejector swipes, no sticky bolt lift etc. Data is not nearly so abundant with the AI's. The truth is in the primer pocket. If your cases are lasting 5+ reloads and still holding primers you are fine. If not back off.

 

[Aftermath]

.223 Ackley Improved. 80 grain Berger VLD. Velocity using my Magneto Speed 2745. Velocity after shooting yardages and correcting 2738. hitting 1.5" target at 550 yards reliably. Now for Wile E. Scope correction on -.001" group. Shooter error at 8 o'clock on -.007" group. I am using the -.006" load. 26.0 gr BLC-2 powder, CCI 400 primer.