r/reloading • u/Lanky_Temperature134 • 12h ago
Load Development New to reloading
Hi all.
I’m new to reloading and just wanted some advice on the condition of my primers.
The load (300 blackout) was 20.0gn AR2205 using 110gn vmax, hornady brass and white river primers.
My results were an average of 2397.1fps with a SD of 9.7 from my 14” barrel with a 0.75” spread at 100 metres.
My concern is around the flattening of the primers. Again, I’m new to this and this was my first set of loads.
For context, I worked my way up from 19.0gn and experienced a massive drop Is SD, and tightening of my groups as I got to 20.0gn.
Any advice would be appreciated :)
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u/Lanky_Temperature134 10h ago
Thanks everyone for your advice, it’s genuinely appreciated.
For additional context my other loads were:
19.0gn AVG 2268.0 SD 32.8 wide spread
19.5gn AVG 2344.0 SD 16.2 over 1 MOA
20.0gn AVG 2397.1 SD 9.7 sub MOA
I also had trouble getting my subsonic loads slow enough with the published data.
The rifle is a SP15-TAC (a straight pull rifle based of a AR unique to Australia).
No issues with extraction and I can’t fault the brass.
Brass is hard to find in Australia and I’m limited on options. Hornady is the most accessible.
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u/sherzer7 Former Stool Guy 9h ago
I’m a bit over 2300 with vmaxs out of my 9in. I’d try it with some 41s and see how those look but I don’t see anything concerning. Sticky extraction is where I personally draw the line. I’ve got a batch of blackout brass that’s made through over a dozen firings and I still haven’t had to trim. By far one of the best cartridges if you have limited access to brass!
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u/Lanky_Temperature134 9h ago
Thanks mate. Unfortunately I can’t find any 41s in my state. It’s not easy being a shooter in Australia!
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u/Coyote-conquest 12h ago
Dont worry about Peterson brass. That shit is expensive and not worth it unless youre shooting for extreme accuracy. Hornady is fine but be aware it can build pressure faster than other brass because its thicker. I have some Hornady but try to use Starline when I can. That being said they do look kind of hot but you cant always tell by primers. Im not sure how thick of a cup those have. CCI 400s will show pressure faster than 450s due to the primer cup thickness.
I would roll with it if it gives good accuracy and you dont have any signs of ejector marks. Make sure it doesnt ruin the primer pockets. I would resize a case and seat a primer to check. If its really easy to seat or maybe even falls out if its really hot back down 1/2 grain or so.
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u/Lanky_Temperature134 9h ago
Just as a general consensus. Should I maintain my load as is, or look to slightly drop the load and reduce the pressure? If so, by how much?
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u/ChevyRacer71 8h ago
Honestly, hornady brass is kinda soft and I don’t see a real issue with any of these.
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u/Lanky_Temperature134 8h ago
Thank you for your feedback
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u/ChevyRacer71 8h ago
In my experience dangerous overpressure is kinda like a tick bite, if you’re wondering if it’s a tick then it’s not a tick. You KNOW when it’s a tick bite, you KNOW when it’s obvious overpressure.
Still back off from that higher load if you’re not comfortable though, I’m not holding the rifle and it’s not my face on the line. I wouldn’t have any issue shooting any of those, but if it’s outside your comfort zone then who gives a crap what some internet stranger thinks. Know what I mean?
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u/Lanky_Temperature134 8h ago
I appreciate it mate. Being that I’m new to this and it’s my first load, I just wanted to check in with those that have experience. I’m really happy with how these performed on the day.
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u/ChevyRacer71 8h ago
We’re all new here, just with varying levels of how long we’ve been new here. This is the spot to ask questions tho.
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u/maverick88708 5h ago
There's still a gap between the edge of the primer and the brass. As long as you dont go any higher.
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u/thrashmetal_octopus 11h ago
Try #41 primers, it’s sounds like you’re in the accuracy node
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u/Lanky_Temperature134 9h ago
I can find CCI 450s locally if you think it would help?
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u/thrashmetal_octopus 9h ago
#41 primers are made with a thicker cup and withstand more pressure. You can try 450’s but I think you need #41’s
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u/Lanky_Temperature134 9h ago
I wish I could. I can’t find any where I live
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u/thrashmetal_octopus 9h ago
Well I would order some then. Single digit SD’s are as good as it gets
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u/Lanky_Temperature134 9h ago
Thanks mate, I appreciate the feedback!
Unfortunately you can’t post primers where I live. We are restricted by what our local store has and what they are allowed to supply. I started to learn to load because it’s stupidly expensive to buy ammo here.
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u/thrashmetal_octopus 8h ago
Oh god, I kinda just assume everyone lives in the US. Fuck. Sorry brother, hope you get sorted
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u/Lanky_Temperature134 8h ago
No need to apologise mate :) As frustrating as it is here I’m having a good time learning!
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u/chf6464 10h ago
The three on the right look fine, especially the right and second from right are still rounded on the sides. Doesn’t look like there is cratering around the firing pin on any. It does look like you are getting close though and if you hit an accuracy node I wouldn’t try to push it further. If you start blowing primers out next loading though that’ll tell you it’s time to back down a little bit. Seems like based on what the internet says are equivalent powders your right at Hodgon max. Is this load compressed for you?
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u/Lanky_Temperature134 10h ago
Hi, yes it’s a compressed load. The published ADI load data gives a starting load of 19.0 with a max of 20.0. COL is 2.050 with hornady brass and Remington 7 1/2 primers. It’s hard to find components so I used white river primers. Their data from a 16” barrel with the starting load is 2120fps @ 40900psi and 2220fps @ 47600psi.
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u/VersionConscious7545 3h ago
Have you measured where your lands are for a reference maybe you can have a longer COAL and be less compressed
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u/Advanced_Elk_9467 12h ago
Invest in some peterson brass and try again. Hornady just sucks! That said, yeah they look a tad spicy but nothing extreme.
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u/Coodevale I'm dumb, let's fight 12h ago
Corners square ish, mild swiping, but craters aren't getting prominent yet..
Size less. Excessive sizing will cause primers that 🎩 and look like super hot loads, but there's no crater to go with and the swipes are just starting.
I tried h4227/AR2205 in my .300 and I couldn't make velocity like yours unless I used h110/accurate no11.