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Does anyone know the load data for 55gr 5.56mm nato rounds?


rustybayonet

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4 hours ago, practical_man said:

25.5 grains of 748 wil get you close. Or an equivalent dose of 322. 

 

I have ave been using win 748 lately because it’s available. I get about 3000 FPS velocity from a generic 20” barrel. 

What brass are you using? My notes, I was using .223 with the 25gr 748. Weread you using 5.56 brass?

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19 hours ago, rustybayonet said:

What brass are you using? My notes, I was using .223 with the 25gr 748. Weread you using 5.56 brass?

I used Federal brass mostly. Sometimes PMC. Sometimes Lake City. Whatever is available locally. 

 

Federal brass isn’t the best. Primer pockets start getting loose after 3 or 4 loadings. Not a real problem. Just need a couple buckets to keep brass segregated. 

 

A blown own primer from loose pockets isn’t catastrophic but it is annoying if the primer happens to fall into a place that interferes with trigger group. 

 

From my experience, Lake City suffers the same problem with softer case heads compared to other brands. 

 

Lake City brass might have less internal volume than Federal. And it might not. My limited sampling is not conclusive. I stopped worrying about it. I just chrono batches when I change components. 

 

A chrono might be the most useful $100 spent in hand loading gear. I have had a couple over the years. A PACT and a Chrony brand. They both worked fine. 

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25.0 A2230
Hornady 55 FMJ
REM 7.5
2.220” OAL
Mixed brass. Mostly LC.

3007 FPS 15 shot average from 16” Stretch 16 Melonite.

3122 FPS 9 shot average from a Faxon 20” Melonite.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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  • 3 weeks later...
7 hours ago, CPD7119 said:

Buy a chrono if you are wanting to replicate nato 5.56. You'll be getting up there in pressures. A chrono would be a wise investment.

 

Have to agree strongly with Rigger and CPD - you are not well advised to be developing

 

high pressure loads  without  a chrono.    :bow:

 

You can get into trouble very quickly and unexpectedly    :( 

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2 hours ago, Hi-Power Jack said:

 

Have to agree strongly with Rigger and CPD - you are not well advised to be developing

 

high pressure loads  without  a chrono.    :bow:

 

You can get into trouble very quickly and unexpectedly    :( 

With the gun that close to your face and hands.  You're playing with fire.  Get a chrono!

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http://www.frfrogspad.com/miscellq.htm#duplicate

 

ALL LOADS USE MILITARY BRASS (except the 9 mm), AND
  MILITARY BULLETS (OR THEIR COMMERCIAL EQUIVALENT).
REDUCE ALL LOADS BY 10% (EXCEPT THE LOAD MARK BY
*) AND WORK UP

Military Ammunition Equivalents

Cartridge Bullet Weight
(gr)
Velocity
f/s
Suggested load(s)
M41 .38 130 950±45 6.3 gr PowerPistol, 5.2 gr Unique or Universal
M882 9 mm 124 1230±50 6.4 gr Accurate #5, 8 gr BlueDot
M1911 .45ACP 230 820±25 5.2 Bullseye
M193 5.56 mm 55 3250±40 26 gr. of H335, 26.5 gr TAC
M855 5.56 mm [for 5.56 NATO chambers ONLY] 62 3020±40 26 gr of TAC 
MK262 5.56 mm [for 5.56 NATO chambers ONLY] 77 2750±30 24.5 gr TAC
M80 7.62 mm 149 2750±20 42.5 IMR4895, 46 grs. 748 or Ball C2
M118 7.62 mm Special Ball 173 2550±30 43 grs. of RL15 or 748
M118 7.62 mm Special Ball LR (Sierra MK bullet) 175 2580±30 42.5 grs. of Varget,
M852 7.62 mm MATCH (Sierra MK bullet) 168 2550±30 41.5 IMR4895
M2 Cal .30** 150-152 2740±30 49 grs. IMR4895
49 gr 748
50 gr IMR4064
M72 Cal .30 MATCH** 173 2640±30 47 gr IMR 4895
47.5 gr 748
47.5 gr IMR 4064
M1 Cal .30 carbine 110 1900±30 14 gr 2400 or 14 gr H-110*
* Do not reduce H110 more than 3%
** Powders list are the best burning rate for use in the M1 Rifle
Edited by bigedp51
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Missouri has a decent chrono kit on sale for $119 right now. Frank ford Arsenal brand, with tripod and light kit. It gets good reviews. 

 

I suspect it it is as good or better than my shooting chrony  brand that replaced a PACT brand. 

 

I just ordered on to leave at brothers house. 

 

Like I said before, a chronograph is money well spent for hand loaders. I put it about third in priority for measuring tools. Right behind a good powder scale and quality calipers. 

 

-John 

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