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Getting more velocity out of 11.5" 5.56 - faster or slower burning powder? Login/Join 
Bamf
posted
Well I've got a 11.5" 5.56 that I enjoy plinking with, and I'm wanting to explore some different loads and get some more velocity out of this. Right now, I've got about 12 pounds of Ramshot TAC, but I don't know if I should go with something that burns slower like CFE223, or something a little faster like Ramshot XTerminator.

Below, I've posted the results of a load test I did with TAC, and I can get to 3,000fps, but it's not pretty. I'm sure there's a powder better suited to help me out here.

I took out 11 different loads using Ramshot TAC and 53gr Hornady A-Max in mixed LC brass and using CCI 400 primers. Each different load was a half a grain more than the last. I started with 24.5gr and went up all the way over max to 29.5gr. I didn't chose TAC for any particular reason other than I have a lot of it currently. Here's what I saw:

5.56 stamped chamber
11.5" barrel
1:7 twist
SilencerCo ASR Muzzle Brake
SilencerCo Omega with 5.56 end cap was mounted for all shots
COAL: 2.235"

Avg Velocities:

24.5gr TAC: 2498 fps

25.0gr TAC: 2553 fps

25.5gr TAC: 2625 fps

26.0gr TAC: 2753 fps

26.5gr TAC: 2813 fps

27.0gr TAC: 2844 fps

27.5gr TAC: 2875 fps

28.0gr TAC: 2951 fps

28.5gr TAC: 2973 fps *this is the first load where I saw pressure signs in the form of slightly cratered primers - but still is slightly under book max

29.0gr TAC: 3034 fps *this load is OVER book max, and primers were cratered still

29.5gr TAC: 3072 fps * this load is also OVER book max, and only one round was fired. The firing pin pierced the primer, and testing was discontinued.




"I have a suggestion to keep you all occupied. Learn to swim" - Ænema
 
Posts: 4599 | Location: N. Idaho | Registered: November 12, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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When dealing with shorter barrels I always look at the load data for Contender pistols.

This would give you more information, but your velocities are nothing to complain about.
 
Posts: 21 | Registered: May 04, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Bamf
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That’s a really good idea. I’ll look into Thompson load data.

I’m not upset with the velocities, but I’d like to get closer to 2,900-3,000 without cratering primers that bad.




"I have a suggestion to keep you all occupied. Learn to swim" - Ænema
 
Posts: 4599 | Location: N. Idaho | Registered: November 12, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I don't even know where to begin so I'll stay out of this one.

Invest in good safety glasses.
 
Posts: 3398 | Location: Texas | Registered: June 20, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of Blue68f100
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I saw a chart some where that showed rifle powders produce all their peak pressure before the bullet travels 2-3". As we all know the bullet still accelerates going down the bore. Faster powders develop higher pressure quicker. How much quicker I have no idea, depends on the weight/bullet/caliber it has to push. With hand gun the powder that produces the fast speed does so with any length barrel. I believe this to be true with rifle too. But with rifle we are dealing with barrel harmonics which is more pronounced when it comes to accuracy.

You might want to try a primer made for higher 556 pressures. CCI's #41 would be my choice. Don't know if it would make a difference or not, but sure would not hurt to try.


David

P229R 9mm, Nitron, Beavertail Frame, Night Sights, DA/SA, SRT & Short Reach Trigger
 
Posts: 3464 | Location: Piney Woods of East Texas | Registered: November 08, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Plowing straight ahead come what may
Picture of Bisleyblackhawk
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quote:
Originally posted by DevlDogs55:
but I’d like to get closer to 2,900-3,000 without cratering primers that bad.


Maybe I'm stepping over the line here...but why?

You want to get a short barrel to come close/closer in performance to a longer barrel by pushing and juggling powders at the expense of safety for one and beating up your rifle for two...looking at the loading data for .223 with TAC in the Western Powder data, your loads are way over the listed max loads...that's just taking a big chance for "plinking loads"...

I am assuming this is in an AR...pushing that far over the recommended max data isn't doing your bolt or gas system any favors...and that hole in your BCG where the cam pin fits is also taking a beating...I've seen cracks on the weak thin sides of the cam pin hole...

This is just me...I would just accept that a shorter barrel is just that...and live in harmony with lower velocities Smile...find a load that shoots well without crossing the line...your rifle will thank you Smile...

I agree with NikonUser on the safety glasses investment...

Seriously DevilDogs...think about it.

Edit...please don't think I came into your thread trying to be a know-it-all...but I've been reloading for close to 50 years and over those years I've seen shooters at times (my self included) push things past safety for meager returns and beating themselves up as well as their guns, trying to squeeze a little more out of their loads...I know I didn't answer your question...but please stay safe and don't push the envelope if it's not necessary Smile

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bisleyblackhawk,


********************************************************

"we've gotta roll with the punches, learn to play all of our hunches
Making the best of what ever comes our way
Forget that blind ambition and learn to trust your intuition
Plowing straight ahead come what may
And theres a cowboy in the jungle"
Jimmy Buffet
 
Posts: 10580 | Location: Southeast Tennessee...not far above my homestate Georgia | Registered: March 10, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of sourdough44
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Just some random comments. I do like TAC powder, it's one of my favorites with the 223.

Yes, some of your loads seem 'warm'. I also wonder the reasoning for loading to those levels.

As mentioned I do believe much of the burning with powder happens early in the barrel. The expanding gasses will still be a player to get more velocity with the longer barrel.

Keep it safe.
 
Posts: 6132 | Location: WI | Registered: February 29, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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It appears you're trying to achieve the typical MV of a 16" barrel using factory ammo from a 11.5" barrel using hot handloads. IMO this is neither wise nor safe.
 
Posts: 7853 | Location: Colorado | Registered: January 26, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of TRshootem
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Yep, wrong goal on several levels.. at 28.0 grains you over the mil-spec pressure loads in the Ramshot data. Love me some Tac, but 62K+ pressure is the stop now spot for real
 
Posts: 1320 | Location: Montana | Registered: October 20, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
You're going to feel
a little pressure...
posted Hide Post
Velocity gains from 26.0 to 27.5 seem meager.
Is the juice worth the squeeze?

Bruce






"The designer of the gun had clearly not been instructed to beat about the bush. 'Make it evil,' he'd been told. 'Make it totally clear that this gun has a right end and a wrong end. Make it totally clear to anyone standing at the wrong end that things are going badly for them. If that means sticking all sort of spikes and prongs and blackened bits all over it then so be it. This is not a gun for hanging over the fireplace or sticking in the umbrella stand, it is a gun for going out and making people miserable with." -Douglas Adams

“It is just as difficult and dangerous to try to free a people that wants to remain servile as it is to try to enslave a people that wants to remain free."
-Niccolo Machiavelli

The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all. -Mencken
 
Posts: 4245 | Location: AK-49 | Registered: October 06, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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You have a pistol length gas system with its higher port pressure. Meaning the rifle takes much more pounding than a longer rifle length gas system.

Loading hotter will just pound your rifle more and stress the bolt and related parts.

Your targets will never know if you load more conservatively and the rifle and brass will last much longer.

Below things to ponder and remember reloading is like playing Black Jack, stay light and beat the pressure dealer. Wink



Higher chamber pressure will cause the primer pockets to stretch out much sooner. The person who posted the bolt face photo below said he didn't worry about loose primer pockets and stated he would replace the bolt when it got bad enough.



My practice blasting ammo is loaded 5,000 psi below the max rated pressure of M193 ammo. And the holes in the target don't look any different.
 
Posts: 21 | Registered: May 04, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Avoiding
slam fires
Picture of 45 Cal
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^
This guy is a first class IDIOT
Some day mr Karma will bite his ass,hope he shoot in a range all by himself.
 
Posts: 22407 | Location: Georgia | Registered: February 19, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by 45 Cal:
^
This guy is a first class IDIOT
Some day mr Karma will bite his ass,hope he shoot in a range all by himself.


I was given three five gallon buckets of once fired .223/5.56 brass fired by our local police.

I prepped the Federal cases first only to find many loose primer pockets.I now check the primer pockets with pin gauges before doing anything to the cases.

And when seating primers if the primer pocket feels loose I use a Lee depriming tool to check the seated primer. If the primer moves with just finger pressure the case goes in the scrap brass bucket.

 
Posts: 21 | Registered: May 04, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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[Delete
 
Posts: 55 | Location: Boston | Registered: May 22, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Purveyor of Death
and Destruction
Picture of walker77
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by bigedp51:
You have a pistol length gas system


Says who? My 10.3" MK18 is a carbine length system.

Still, 3,000fps out of a 11" rifle is STUPID.
 
Posts: 7389 | Location: Raymore, Missouri | Registered: June 24, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Picture of sourdough44
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Of course if speed is the main attraction, one could go towards a super light bullet. It may not make any sense either, depending on the goals in mind.
 
Posts: 6132 | Location: WI | Registered: February 29, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
You're going to feel
a little pressure...
posted Hide Post
I'm curious about how this turned out. It's all fun and games until somebody loses an eye. After that, it's just fun Wink

Bruce






"The designer of the gun had clearly not been instructed to beat about the bush. 'Make it evil,' he'd been told. 'Make it totally clear that this gun has a right end and a wrong end. Make it totally clear to anyone standing at the wrong end that things are going badly for them. If that means sticking all sort of spikes and prongs and blackened bits all over it then so be it. This is not a gun for hanging over the fireplace or sticking in the umbrella stand, it is a gun for going out and making people miserable with." -Douglas Adams

“It is just as difficult and dangerous to try to free a people that wants to remain servile as it is to try to enslave a people that wants to remain free."
-Niccolo Machiavelli

The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all. -Mencken
 
Posts: 4245 | Location: AK-49 | Registered: October 06, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Cold Ass Honkey
Picture of Sig Vicious
posted Hide Post
Someone has already experimented with different barrel lengths for you.
You will notice that most calibers listed will gain speed with an increasingly longer barrel up to a point, then taper off. In some cases, like 223, they just didn't start with a long enough barrel to show this in their collected data.

Have a look here -

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/223rifle.html


------------------------------
Never fully gruntled.
 
Posts: 2173 | Location: OR-ee-GUN | Registered: December 18, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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