Started ammo development for New rifle...
Howa 1500, .223 Remington, 1 in 9 twist, 24" heavy barrel, using viht N140 (it's all I can get regularly since most of the U.S. stuff got banned in the UK a few months ago) but I've had good results with it before so....
I'm loading 55gr for hunting and 69gr for target. I'd like to push the range as much a possible just for the challenge and was going to try 75gr bullets next but...to the point
Measured the max col of the 69gr using the hornady col length gauge, checked it since then too. Made up the first few rounds with starting powder weight and seated 0.020" off the lands. When I checked them against the reference data col (to the tip) they are 0.050" shorter than the reference length. So I've got a lot less space for powder. I'm experienced enough to work up the loads checking for problems as I go but...
With having such a large amount of space less for powder does that mean I will not be able to push the longer 75hr heads out to say 800yards or maybe even struggle with the 69gr heads even to 600yards? Or will the pressures be enough?
Just asking before I buy bullets I'll never be able to get where I want them to go.
Thank you for any support
Howa 1500, .223 Remington, 1 in 9 twist, 24" heavy barrel, using viht N140 (it's all I can get regularly since most of the U.S. stuff got banned in the UK a few months ago) but I've had good results with it before so....
I'm loading 55gr for hunting and 69gr for target. I'd like to push the range as much a possible just for the challenge and was going to try 75gr bullets next but...to the point
Measured the max col of the 69gr using the hornady col length gauge, checked it since then too. Made up the first few rounds with starting powder weight and seated 0.020" off the lands. When I checked them against the reference data col (to the tip) they are 0.050" shorter than the reference length. So I've got a lot less space for powder. I'm experienced enough to work up the loads checking for problems as I go but...
With having such a large amount of space less for powder does that mean I will not be able to push the longer 75hr heads out to say 800yards or maybe even struggle with the 69gr heads even to 600yards? Or will the pressures be enough?
Just asking before I buy bullets I'll never be able to get where I want them to go.
Thank you for any support