About to fire first reloads in a while

[NJRaised]

Can someone sanity check me….

223 rem.

Lyman loading manual has 75 eldm’s at coal of 2.39”, starting charge of 23 grains, up to 25 grains varget.

I loaded up 75 eldms at coal 2.40”, 23.5 grains varget, 1.870 CBTO. Powder was starting to crunch, so I know it’s compressed .

I’m just getting velocities tomorrow, so I started at 23.5 grains, and have a handful of rounds at each .1 grain, up to 24.5 grain.

I loaded at 2.40” coal, bc that’s all my mags can handle currently. Need to hog them out.

How bad is compressed varget? Dangerous at all?

 

[MarshallDodge]

Is there something wrong with compressed loads?

Hello all, I was reading up on some new ideas for loading my 7mm RM and am really intrigued by the lower pressure, high velocity Retumbo/180 class bullet combo, but it seems like many people go to H1000 to avoid shooting a "compressed" load. I will be shooting out of a 28" barrel, so the...

www.snipershide.com

 

[simonp]

Everything is relative, i.e. how compressed is the powder in the brass. Which brass are you using? New or once fired?

My 77smk Varget load is around 24.0 grains, +/- a couple of tenths depending on the barrel and what it likes, its compressed and I have never had an issue or seen any pressure signs on the brass or primers. I am using Lake City brass on those loads by the way.

 

[NJRaised]

Everything is relative, i.e. how compressed is the powder in the brass. Which brass are you using? New or once fired?

My 77smk Varget load is around 24.0 grains, +/- a couple of tenths depending on the barrel and what it likes, its compressed and I have never had an issue or seen any pressure signs on the brass or primers. I am using Lake City brass on those loads by the way.

Virgin starline brass. How much is it compressed? I am not sure how to measure that to be honest. If there’s a way to know, please let me know.

 

[simonp]

Virgin starline brass. How much is it compressed? I am not sure how to measure that to be honest. If there’s a way to know, please let me know.

I am not aware of a means of accurately measuring that, but if you aren't leaning your whole-body weight on the press and seating die trying to get the bullet to seat, I think you are probably ok just work up your loads slowly and carefully, check the first pieces of fired brass at each load for pressure signs.

 

[NJRaised]

Oh yeah, I can not feel any “weight difference” when seating bullets. It’s sounds like a few grains of salt being crushed when the press cams over.

 

[simonp]

Yep know that feeling well. All good in my experience

 

[MarshallDodge]

Oh yeah, I can not feel any “weight difference” when seating bullets. It’s sounds like a few grains of salt being crushed when the press cams over.

You will be fine.

 

[NJRaised]

Back from the range today, have all my fingers and toes.

Worked up from a lighter charge, up to 24.5 grains of varget topped with a 75 eldm. Only pushing 2775fps on my labradar, no signs of pressure. Is that relatively slow for 24.5 grains? 1:7 twist proof 223.

 

[roostercogburn98]

I cringe every time I shoot a reload. Shot 10 today and made sure my will was updated before I went out back

 

[DubfromGA]

Virgin starline brass. How much is it compressed? I am not sure how to measure that to be honest. If there’s a way to know, please let me know.

How long is your powder funnel tube ?

A longer drop can help settle the powder and reduce some of the crunch you are feeling.