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Hi all
I have a mate who is just starting to reload, and he is trying to match the performance of Federal 223 ammunition with a hand load. I have always used Vihtavouri powders but never been concerned with absolute accuracy as I am only really plinking with my 303. He is worried that the measures given in the Lee loading manual are different from those on the Viht website. He’s using Lapua brass and Sierra bullets.

Anyone got any advice?

Steve

Bin the Lee manual and use the Vihtavuori data for their powder.

Lee just copy data from other sources, don't pressure test and usually use the lowest loads to play safe with their "volume system".

Go with the powder manufacturer's recommendations and note quoted velocities are often from a 20" barrel using a specific primer and case. And obviously don't exceed the manufacturer's maximum load.

+1 on Dromia's Post. I would 100% go with the powder manufacturers data. Vihtavuori have load data on their website for Sierra bullets (69gr SMK or 77gr TMK I'm guessing?). He will definitely be able to match or exceed factory ammo with handloads. Don't forget to take overall length into consideration.

This is what I’m thinking, he said he’s going to look through the Sierra manual (I didn’t know they did one) so I guess he’ll find something similar in there too.

It depend what he wants from his ammunition and what he's trying to replicate. If it's for club level target shooting at shortish distances he might be trying to replicate something like Federal "American Eagle" which gives 55 gr bullet at 3,240 fps

If you go to the Vihtavouri website there are more than twenty 55gn combinations that will do that.

In my experience the Lee loads cater mostly for US powders, many of which are not now available to us and often fairly low loads too.

Tell us what he's trying to do, ie fox shooting or long range targets and what twist barrel he has and we could probably offer more advice.

He’s loading for fox at 150-200 yards, so I imagine he’ll be using Sierra Blitzking 55 grain heads. The federal powershok he is replacing quotes 3240 FPS, but he has a shortened barrel with a moderator, so I don’t know what he gets. He was mainly concerned with safety, he just bought a Lee kit which included a manual, and there’s so much information on 223 it was confusing him.

steve853 wrote:This is what I’m thinking, he said he’s going to look through the Sierra manual (I didn’t know they did one) so I guess he’ll find something similar in there too.

Sierra reloading manual comes with the RCBS master reloading kit.

I think that is what he has bought (the manual, not the kit, he got a Lee turret press kit)
Thanks for your time and help guys

Steve

steve853 wrote:He’s loading for fox at 150-200 yards, so I imagine he’ll be using Sierra Blitzking 55 grain heads. The federal powershok he is replacing quotes 3240 FPS, but he has a shortened barrel with a moderator, so I don’t know what he gets. He was mainly concerned with safety, he just bought a Lee kit which included a manual, and there’s so much information on 223 it was confusing him.

will the bullet hit the fox? is it below max load? is the Fox now dead? job done ! leave all the breast beating over speed and sub MOA accuracy tp the bench rest guys, if you are shooting from improvised rests or offhand you ain't going to notice!
the Lee loads will work and will be safe, they may not be the fastest or most accurate, but for standard foxing use they are all you need.