Factory Load Clone Recipes?

pewpewfever

Spineless Peon
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 31, 2019
331
173
DFW
Due to a career move that will hopefully allow me more free time, I think I can start reloading now. I’m aware there are plenty of tutorials here and I will refer to those for advice on equipment and procedure.

Meanwhile, there are a couple of factory loads I’m pretty happy with, and I’m wondering if it makes sense to try and duplicate them as a starting point for load development. Is there a reason not to do that? Is there a list of such recipes? The loads I’m interested in are .223 77gr FGMM and Hornady 6mm Creed 108gr ELDM.
 
75/77 grain 223 load.
23-23.8 grains(depending on case users and barrel) of 8208XBR with a CCI450 primer.
If it doesn’t shoot well something is probably wrong with shooter or rifle.
 
The big commercial ammo makers use proprietary powders that are generally not available to home relaxers. Your best bet is to chronograph the factory load you wish to duplicate, use the same bullet and OAL and then try a couple different popular powders to duplicate the factory velocity by trial and error. This method has worked well for me.
 
The big commercial ammo makers use proprietary powders that are generally not available to home relaxers. Your best bet is to chronograph the factory load you wish to duplicate, use the same bullet and OAL and then try a couple different popular powders to duplicate the factory velocity by trial and error. This method has worked well for me.
Good advice, I'd add that most of those powders contain flame retardant also, so pulling a bullet to weigh a charge is futile.