Making my first load... How is it? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Slaytex · 06-02-2008, 08:36 AM

Well, I get my first press coming in the mail this week and some new bullets to try out in my AR-15. I'm gonna use Hodgon Varget powder (will try 25 grains), CCI primers, and Hornady match HPBT 68 gr bullets. Does this sound like a good starting load for a noob?
I'll take any suggestions. I only bought 200 rounds of this stuff to try first.
Thanks.

scalce · 06-02-2008, 08:52 AM

I hate to say it but buy some reloading books if you haven't already and read everything you can about reloading for bottleneck catridges.

The powder and bullet companies usually have load data on their websites.

While I hate to toss newbies to the wolves over at ar15.com, there is some useful info over there.

AR15.COM :: Forums :: Reloading

Checkout the FAQs, stickies, and load data over there.

Getting into reloading for 223 right off the bat is ambitious but not impossible if you do it right.

You need to get into alot of specifics before you come up with a load:
What rifle, caliber chamber, barrel length, and twist?
Which CCI primer? They make small rifle, small rifle magnum, military, and match
What are you basing your 25 grain charge at? You should always start low and work your way up to check for signs of overpressure.
What OAL are you loading to?
Are you crimping?

I originally hated when people told me to read and work up my own load data but it makes sense.

BTW check out the articles I just posed here on the Incremental Load Development Method. This process saves time and ammo while giving you good results rather quickly and safely.

Good luck and be safe

BTW did you go to the Funshow in Charlotte this past weekend?

Slaytex · 06-02-2008, 09:09 AM

Thanks for the advice, I don't mind reading up on this stuff.
I came up with that load from Hodgdon's website using a 69 grain bullet. I have a 16" 1/8 twist SS barrel. Am I going in the right direction? I think I just need to read up on the fine details before making some rounds. Hopefully I won't have any AR-15 carnage in my face?

I had no idea there was a gun show this weekend which is probably a good thing as I would have spent more money.

Thanks.

scalce · 06-02-2008, 09:15 AM

The standard way to get a load is to work your way up from minimum to close to maximum in .5 grain increments while watching for pressure signs.

This can lead to alot of time and money since you typically load 10 for each charge to chrono and then 10 or twenty to test for accuracy.

The alternate method I posted about is the Incremental or Ladder load testing method. This gives you a better representation of what charge your rifle likes without burning alot of components or wearing your barrel if it is a SS match type one.

Most books tell you to start 10% below a given load but if you start at a published minimum then you are GTG.

Since you are new to this I would research overpressure so you know what to look for. This typically shows up as flattened, cratered, or oozing primers.

Slaytex · 06-02-2008, 09:28 AM

Cool, that good to know.
Thanks for all the help Scalce.

06-02-2008, 08:36 AM	#1
Slaytex XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Charlotte Posts: 199	Making my first load... How is it? Well, I get my first press coming in the mail this week and some new bullets to try out in my AR-15. I'm gonna use Hodgon Varget powder (will try 25 grains), CCI primers, and Hornady match HPBT 68 gr bullets. Does this sound like a good starting load for a noob? I'll take any suggestions. I only bought 200 rounds of this stuff to try first. Thanks. __________________ XD-40 Tactical AR-15 w/ too much to list Mossberg 500 USA Edition

06-02-2008, 08:52 AM	#2
scalce XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,415	I hate to say it but buy some reloading books if you haven't already and read everything you can about reloading for bottleneck catridges. The powder and bullet companies usually have load data on their websites. While I hate to toss newbies to the wolves over at ar15.com, there is some useful info over there. AR15.COM :: Forums :: Reloading Checkout the FAQs, stickies, and load data over there. Getting into reloading for 223 right off the bat is ambitious but not impossible if you do it right. You need to get into alot of specifics before you come up with a load: What rifle, caliber chamber, barrel length, and twist? Which CCI primer? They make small rifle, small rifle magnum, military, and match What are you basing your 25 grain charge at? You should always start low and work your way up to check for signs of overpressure. What OAL are you loading to? Are you crimping? I originally hated when people told me to read and work up my own load data but it makes sense. BTW check out the articles I just posed here on the Incremental Load Development Method. This process saves time and ammo while giving you good results rather quickly and safely. Good luck and be safe BTW did you go to the Funshow in Charlotte this past weekend? Last edited by scalce; 06-02-2008 at 08:55 AM.

06-02-2008, 09:09 AM	#3
Slaytex XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Charlotte Posts: 199	Thanks for the advice, I don't mind reading up on this stuff. I came up with that load from Hodgdon's website using a 69 grain bullet. I have a 16" 1/8 twist SS barrel. Am I going in the right direction? I think I just need to read up on the fine details before making some rounds. Hopefully I won't have any AR-15 carnage in my face? I had no idea there was a gun show this weekend which is probably a good thing as I would have spent more money. Thanks. __________________ XD-40 Tactical AR-15 w/ too much to list Mossberg 500 USA Edition

06-02-2008, 09:28 AM	#5
Slaytex XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Charlotte Posts: 199	Cool, that good to know. Thanks for all the help Scalce. __________________ XD-40 Tactical AR-15 w/ too much to list Mossberg 500 USA Edition

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06-02-2008, 09:15 AM	#4
scalce XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,415	The standard way to get a load is to work your way up from minimum to close to maximum in .5 grain increments while watching for pressure signs. This can lead to alot of time and money since you typically load 10 for each charge to chrono and then 10 or twenty to test for accuracy. The alternate method I posted about is the Incremental or Ladder load testing method. This gives you a better representation of what charge your rifle likes without burning alot of components or wearing your barrel if it is a SS match type one. Most books tell you to start 10% below a given load but if you start at a published minimum then you are GTG. Since you are new to this I would research overpressure so you know what to look for. This typically shows up as flattened, cratered, or oozing primers.