Reduced .223 Rem Loads

[4090Sharps]

Does anyone have a reduced .223 Rem load they'd like to share?

I'm looking to down load one of my straight pull 223's for an ultralight predator/fur-friendly rifle in 22 Hornet-level velocity until I have an ultralight 17 caliber AR barrel built.

Lyman has some lower pressure, reduced speed, lead bullet loads which can get me started using some powders I have on hand like AA #9, Unique, and IMR-4198, but I would appreciate hearing recommendations from folks here.

 

[49ereric]

Bluedot Seafire…

 

[4090Sharps]

Bluedot Seafire…

But good luck finding Bluedot, right?

 

[49ereric]

But good luck finding Bluedot, right?

No bluedot
Unique can be used but 4-5.5 grains but be careful. Research first.
Different pistol powders can be used.

 

[4090Sharps]

No bluedot
Unique can be used but 4-5.5 grains but be careful. Research first.
Different pistol powders can be used.

I found some older Handloader magazine data that used 8.0gr Unique under a 40gr Nosler ballistic tip and cast loads go a bit higher in my Lyman book (maxes around 10-12gr iirc, but away from my books right now). Not saying I would go higher, but the Lyman data was constrained in those max loads by speed for cast, not pressure.

 

[49ereric]

I had read 8 grains but didn’t want to say it.
Numbers I gave are supposed to be subsonic I think.

 

[Jamie930]

Look up reduced loads for H4895 on Hodgden website

h4895-reduced-rifle-loads-2.pdf https://share.google/8h1g90HGJkX9Ag3k5

 

[TaperPin]

I’ve used some of Lyman’s lead bullet data with fast pistol powders, but ignition was questionable with so little powder in the case. Many hang fires.

The lowest velocity loads from Sierra are only a few hundred fps faster than the Hornet data.

4895 seems to work well in bottleneck cartridges and still have decent case fill. Hogdon even made a suggestion that anything from 60% of max loads on up are safe.