Of course, Hodgdon provides load data for every bullet weight they’ve tested with all compatible propellants yielding safe and reliable ballistic data. Compressed charges of slower-burn-rate propellants are more compatible with loading heavier bullets. My experience shows, generally speaking, the faster-burn-rate choices work better with bullets weighing up to 60 grains. Burn rates range from IMR 4198 (fastest) to CFE 223 (slowest). Hodgdon offers more than a dozen different propellants for reloading 223/5.56 ammo. handloads, and faster-burning powders like HP38 and Trail Boss can be used for low-velocity specialty loads. Powders Several Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders are appropriate for full-power 223 Rem. They have to operate the gun safely and reliably before you can begin to evaluate their ballistic performance downrange. That’s the major consideration when selecting compatible components. That’s the energy source required to retract the bolt, extract the fired case, and self-load another round from the magazine.ĭepending on the pressure curve generated when firing a round, an AR may or may not function satisfactorily. Some of the gas is diverted-before the bullet exits the barrel-to actuate a piston, carrier, or operating rod.

It may still be “too hot” or may not meet your accuracy objective, but it’s not likely dangerous to your gun or you. In fact, if all of the propellant gas exits the muzzle (i.e., the primer or cartridge case didn’t leak or blow out), you’re a long way toward declaring your handload safe and reliable. And, fortunately, nobody can work the bolt fast enough to extract the case while there’s residual pressure in the barrel. The shooter provides the power to cycle the bolt, extract the empty case, and feed another round. Why? Because burning propellant has only one purpose in a bolt gun-to propel the bullet out of the barrel. Developing safe and reliable handloads in a bolt-action rifle is less complicated than it is for a gas-operated autoloader. I’ve walked the walk, and now I want to share what I’ve learned. A lot of you are out there, and I, myself, fell into this category not so long ago. This article is intended for handloaders who have experience reloading for their bolt-action rifles and now want to handload for an AR-style semiautomatic rifle.

Wsf powder for subsonic 223 loads