Where am I going wrong??

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Trickyd66

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Apart from starting to reload 😀

Made up my first 222rem rounds as follows (from lee 2nd Edition)

Case ppu (new)
Primer CCI 400 small rifle
Ramshot TAC
Hornady varmint. 224 (jacketed bullet?)
Oal 2.130.

Started at suggested at 21.5gn, 3 of each at 0.3gn intervals up to max load of 23.4gn.

Chrono'd all shots (checked chrono against factory ppu at 3000fps)

My velocities-(average of 3)

21.5gn 2450
22.4gn 2500
23.4gn 2680

Why might my velocity on book max be the book velocity for min load? (Expected velocity on max load being 3132 fps)

Groups at 23.4 gn were improving, can I increase charge by a bit? (No pressure signs)

Any ideas welcome please...

P.s. digital scales, but calibration checked before and after loading with a 14.6gn air pellet (not technical but works)

Thanks

TD66
 
What weight of bullet? 55gn? Is your rifle a 1 in 14 twist? Might be fine but 50gn will likely shoot better.

How long is your barrel versus what book data tested with?

Case should be fairly full with 23gn of powder. You can eyeball to get a decent idea of your scales be somewhat correct.

I use 53gn Nosler in my 1 in 10 .222rem barrel with 20.5gn of N130 and get 3030fps. No experience of TAC but I would have thought it should get comfortably more speed than you are seeing.

Normally I would ask things like. Is your chrono working? Are your scales working? How long is your barrel?
 
1. How long is your rifle barrel and how does that compare to the test barrel length used for PPU or load data?
2. What grain bullet?
3. Where have you got your load data? I just looked up Ramshot's load data and I can't correlate with the loads and velocity you mentioned.
PS What is a "Hornady varmint" bullet?
 
Each component you used was different to the ones used to produce the data. You didn't use their test barrel either.(notice barrel length)
Following the instructions will produce a safe load. Outwith that you are on your own in un tested territory. I would prefer to use powder manufacturing data they think safety not the highest numbers.
 
I used to use 50gr Blitzking, N130 for 3050fps you’re a long way off that, don’t think bullet weight will make 500fps difference.
Also no experience of Ramshot Tac
Try another powder?
 
Where did you go wrong?
Trusting lawyer proof load data.
Put more powder in.

Show us a photo of the case head.
If you want to be serious about it measure the case head diameter before and after. Then subtract the last figure from the first.
By your loads velocity, there will be no growth but some growth should be present. Just don't go over .004".
 
According to burn rate charts that's quite a slow powder for 222. You can probably fill the case to the top.
How much does a case full weigh?
 
Thanks all. In answer to a few questions (sorry Rory the omissions)
Load data is from the lee modern reloading 2nd edition (page 306)
Bullet weight is 50gn... the hornady varmint is a soft point jacketed bullet.
Barrel I would need to measure..
Book does not specify case or primer make.
 
Smellydog said:
Where did you go wrong?
Trusting lawyer proof load data.
Put more powder in.

Show us a photo of the case head.
If you want to be serious about it measure the case head diameter before and after. Then subtract the last figure from the first.
By your loads velocity, there will be no growth but some growth should be present. Just don't go over .004".
Click to expand...
Cheers, will get the calipers out later on... Will also check what room left in case. Only looked briefly to double check all cases filled, but think I could probably get a few gn more before I even reach the shoulder.
 

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Trickyd66 said:
Thanks.. yes seen that. Find it hard to believe that a different 50gn bullet (mine) is 400fps slower than either of the 50gn bullets listed??
Click to expand...
Yeah something is wrong. So you have chrono'd PPU ammo with the same chrono and got somewhat normal expected results? Which suggests the chrono is ready ok.

I will assume you don't have an 8inch barrel or something daft like that. As long as it is 20" or more, you should not be seeing such a huge drop off.

Are your scales definitely working? Eyeballing the charged case from above? Does it show a decent case fill. 23 odd grains should be a decent case fill. Not compressed once bullet seated but it should be obvious if it is below the shoulder comfortably?

I cannot think what else it could be. PPU brass is thick, so this limits case capacity which should in theory tend to increase pressure and therefore speed. Something odd is happening here.
 
Trickyd66 said:
Cheers, will get the calipers out later on... Will also check what room left in case. Only looked briefly to double check all cases filled, but think I could probably get a few gn more before I even reach the shoulder.
Click to expand...
Ok, you have found the issue then. If you think you can get a few more grains in before you reach the shoulder, you do not have 23 grains of powder in there. Your scales or weighing process is goosed.
 
Woodlander said:
I used to use 50gr Blitzking, N130 for 3050fps you’re a long way off that, don’t think bullet weight will make 500fps difference.
Also no experience of Ramshot Tac
Try another powder?
Click to expand...
Tac won’t be the issue, it’s a double based ball powder that gives good velocities!

I
 
LuckyEddie said:
They can be as long as you check them regularly, during a reloading session, with a known weight.
My friend taught me to check it after every 10th round.
Click to expand...

Yep. Just double checked using webley vmx .22 pellet at 14.66gn, and again with 2 to give check at higher weight. Both as should be?
Also checked against a lee dipper of 1.6cc and came in at the weight calculated?
 
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