Bucksnort1
New member
A few years back, I loaded .223 with 55 grain jacketed bullets. I used H-335 and BL-C(2), loaded minimum charge and had no problems with pressure.
Today, I dusted off the reloading equipment and began organizing for .223 (55 grain bullets). I will produce a few test loads with IMR 4064. I've never loaded with 4064 so test loads are on the menu.
My Speer #11, for IMR 4064, calls for a starting load of 24.5 grains and a maximum of 26.5. I decided to start with their middle charge of 25.5 grains. When I charged a case, powder came to the case mouth. The manual does not indicate this is a compressed load. I removed the powder, checked the case for obstructions then charged it with 24.5 grains to see how it looks in the case. It comes to just below the top of the mouth which would still be a compressed load but again, no indication this is a compressed load.
I am out of H-335 so I can't see how full a case would be with charge amount I originally used. I could pull a bullet to see. I still have BL-C(2) and can do the test with it. I do not have any notes indicating any of my previous loads were compressed.
Questions are:
Why does Speer not indicate compressed?
Different powder styles will occupy cases differently so is the reason for 4064 being a compressed load?
I've never loaded anything requiring compression. Is there anything special to this procedure or do I seat the bullet normally?
Today, I dusted off the reloading equipment and began organizing for .223 (55 grain bullets). I will produce a few test loads with IMR 4064. I've never loaded with 4064 so test loads are on the menu.
My Speer #11, for IMR 4064, calls for a starting load of 24.5 grains and a maximum of 26.5. I decided to start with their middle charge of 25.5 grains. When I charged a case, powder came to the case mouth. The manual does not indicate this is a compressed load. I removed the powder, checked the case for obstructions then charged it with 24.5 grains to see how it looks in the case. It comes to just below the top of the mouth which would still be a compressed load but again, no indication this is a compressed load.
I am out of H-335 so I can't see how full a case would be with charge amount I originally used. I could pull a bullet to see. I still have BL-C(2) and can do the test with it. I do not have any notes indicating any of my previous loads were compressed.
Questions are:
Why does Speer not indicate compressed?
Different powder styles will occupy cases differently so is the reason for 4064 being a compressed load?
I've never loaded anything requiring compression. Is there anything special to this procedure or do I seat the bullet normally?