so I sat down to load up some test rounds of varget for this weekends match. All the research I could find suggested a 24.5 grain load. And hodgon load data from there site says I should start at 24 grains and max at 26 grains. 26 grains is listed as a compressed load. they suggest a cartrige oal of 2.235 with the 68 grainers. Which is even shorter than I am seating them. I am seating them to 2.250
My question is I started loading them up at 24.4 grains tried 5 diffrent head stamp cases all labeled as .223 cases. When I put 24.4 grains of powder and after tapping round to seat powder when I measure down in the throat its about .3" from top of case to top of powder. I am seating the rounds to an oal length of 2.250 which would give me about .480 of the round inside the case. With only .3" of open space.
Would that make 24.4 a compressed charge? The rounds seat easily but I can't hear the powder when I shake them.
or am I confused on what constitutes a compressed charge. Im Just wondering if this load data was based on the sierra 69 grain rounds which actually measure .1" shorter than the hornady.
My question is I started loading them up at 24.4 grains tried 5 diffrent head stamp cases all labeled as .223 cases. When I put 24.4 grains of powder and after tapping round to seat powder when I measure down in the throat its about .3" from top of case to top of powder. I am seating the rounds to an oal length of 2.250 which would give me about .480 of the round inside the case. With only .3" of open space.
Would that make 24.4 a compressed charge? The rounds seat easily but I can't hear the powder when I shake them.
or am I confused on what constitutes a compressed charge. Im Just wondering if this load data was based on the sierra 69 grain rounds which actually measure .1" shorter than the hornady.