Reloading question

[mikeybonez28]

Hello again all. I finally got into reloading & started with my highest volume shooter, my 5.56 AR & I want to pick your brains on 2 things (MODS FEEL FREE TO MOVE IF NECESSARY)

I wanted to start on the low end with 25gr of H4895, a 55gr PSP, once fired brass & a Remington small rifle primer. I loaded up 5, Full Length sized & primed 70 more and hit the range with those 5 yesterday. I got last shot bolt hold open with a single round, loaded 2 and they went off without a hitch and same for the last 2. I staggered it that way to make sure I didn't get a chain fire. Anyways, when I picked up my brass, there were several bright spots where the neck meets the shoulder & some of the firing pin indents were black, not blown out (blew air through), just black.

Is this normal or is something off?

[gghbi]

Ammuntion and Reloading is just up the section from Gunsmithing FYI. As to answers a picture or two would be a huge help...

[Bang]

"Blew air through" meaning primers were punctured?

Or that combustion leaked past the primers at their edges? If so, could be a headspace situation, cases too short head to shoulder. At beginning of combustion the primers get sent outward, and as pressure increases the cartridge slams backward, reseating the primer. Do the primers look to be at a different depth after firing?

Just a WAG at this point.

[God's Country]

I'm not able to answer the question, but pictures would be a big help to those that can, just saying.

[Bang]

4895 .224" 2.220"(col) 22.0gr 2,941 40,600 PSI 24.6C gr 3,226 53,500 PSI
BULLET WEIGHT 55 GR. SPR S BULLET WEIGHT
55 GR. BAR TSX FB

According to Hodgdon, 25 gr is not the low end...it is beyond Max. May be the problem. BTW, that C after 24.6 means charge is compacted.

Another thought.....the above is for Rem .223. If your once-fired brass is 5.56, it could be heavier brass, reducing the volume and increasing pressure even more.

Where did you get 25 grain as low end information?

FYI....reloading is a sub-section of FIREARMS ;-)

[DukeConnor]

forget the 4895. it is a 30 cal powder. sure it can be used but why not use a powder designed for 5.56 like h335
cfe223 or tac. and your charge is too high. start low and work up looking for pressure signs.

you are on a path to hurt somebody.

[bamboomaster]

forget the 4895. it is a 30 cal powder. sure it can be used but why not use a powder designed for 5.56 like h335
cfe223 or tac. and your charge is too high. start low and work up looking for pressure signs.

you are on a path to hurt somebody.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Delkal]

I agree 4895 is on the slow side.............

Was your brass military? Did you swage or ream the primer crimp?

[mikeybonez28]

4895 .224" 2.220"(col) 22.0gr 2,941 40,600 PSI 24.6C gr 3,226 53,500 PSI
BULLET WEIGHT 55 GR. SPR S BULLET WEIGHT
55 GR. BAR TSX FB

According to Hodgdon, 25 gr is not the low end...it is beyond Max. May be the problem. BTW, that C after 24.6 means charge is compacted.

Another thought.....the above is for Rem .223. If your once-fired brass is 5.56, it could be heavier brass, reducing the volume and increasing pressure even more.

Where did you get 25 grain as low end information?

FYI....reloading is a sub-section of FIREARMS ;-)

Going off several sources Hodgdons website & 2 manuals. For 55gr SPR SP (Speer soft point) bullet is Hornady but soft point not v Max or tsx or sfire, 25gr is the low end for 223 Remington. 26gr is max charge. For the Barnes TSX 55gr they show 21 - 22.6gr. I had 3 different hard sources confirming the load. Hodgdon's website, a Hodgdons manual-ette & Hodgdons 2019 "Annual" manual.

The brass is in my car right now, I'll throw some pics up tomorrow. The primers aren't flattened, no ejector marks, no other signs of high pressure & they felt ok. I didn't have my wife shoot it because if anyone should have to go to the ER because of my reloads it should be me not her

[mikeybonez28]

forget the 4895. it is a 30 cal powder. sure it can be used but why not use a powder designed for 5.56 like h335
cfe223 or tac. and your charge is too high. start low and work up looking for pressure signs.

you are on a path to hurt somebody.

Not trying to hurt anyone in the least bit, I can't afford the ER. I picked up 4895 so I could use 1 powder for 223 & 243 rather than having 2 separate rifle powders