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Thread: 5.56 Data for Nosler 64 gr. BSB

  1. #1
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    5.56 Data for Nosler 64 gr. BSB

    I’ve been looking for 5.56 pressure load data for the Nosler 64 gr. BSB bullet but they don’t publish any, only .223 data. I have been able to find 5.56 load data for Speer’s 62 gr. Gold Dot bullet and Hornady’s 62 gr. bullets. The .223 max loads for Gold Dot 62 gr. and the Nosler 64 gr. are very close - with CFE 223 they are identical. Based on that similarity, could you use the Gold Dot 62 gr. 5.56 data to load the 64 gr. Nosler bullet - assuming you used the same case, primer, etc as the Gold Data data?

    The variables I can think of that might affect pressure are case, primer, powder charge, and seating depth. Variables I am wondering about are friction as a result of bullet bearing surface and ductility of the bullet due to the Nosler BSB being a solid copper base versus the Gold Dot's plated construction.

    Speer Gold Dot 62 gr. .223 Loading
    C.O.L.: 2.23”
    Hodgdon CFE 223
    Min.: 23.4 gr. (2,889 fps)
    Max: 26.0 gr. (3,141 fps)

    Nosler 64 gr. Bonded Solid Base
    C.O.L.: 2.26”
    Hodgdon CFE 223
    Min.: 24.0 gr. (2,633 fps)
    Max: 26.0 gr. (2,932 fps)

    Speer Gold Dot 62 gr. 5.56 Loading
    C.O.L.: 2.26”
    Hodgdon CFE 223
    Min.: 25.1 gr. (2,848 fps)
    Max: 27.8 gr. (3,088 fps)

    What am I missing? Thanks.

  2. #2
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    I use Hornady 5.56 62 grain load data and drop the charge weight down a bit to compensate for the slightly heavier bullet. I was using Speer and Nosler .223 data when I originally started loading BSB's about 5 years ago with Varget and velocities were a pathetic 2500ish through 16 inch barrels using close to max charge weights. This significantly reduced expansion when compared to factory 64 grain .223 Gold dot in my Clear Gel. I now load to 27.2 grains of CFE with CCI 41's for 2900+ FPS.

  3. #3
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    Thanks Nightvisionary. You’ve already worked through all of this. I worked up a ladder to 27.8 with CFE but from your results I will disassemble the higher charged loads. Now to find My chronograph!

    Thanks very much!

  4. #4
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    I wanted to see what kinds of velocities I could get with the Nosler 64gr. Bonded Solid Base bullets so I loaded some up and dug out my chronograph. I loaded them into new Lake City nickel cases with CCI #41 primers and CFE 223 in four different charge weights. I used the 5.56 load data for Speer Gold Dot 62 Gr. bullets as a reference.

    When I finally made it out to the range, it was 58 degrees and overcast with light variable wind. The range is about 325 ft. above sea level.

    The rifle I used is a 16” BCM Enhanced Lightweight upper which has a mid-length gas system and an A5 receiver extension. For optics it's got a Leopold VX3 3.5X10 on an ARMS Flat Top mount.

    My chronograph is a Pact Model 1 with the old sky screens which I set up approximately 10 feet from the muzzle.

    I loaded the cartridges on a Dillon RL550B with Dillon dies and the taper crimp die set to put a roll crimp into the cannelure on the bullet. The brass was trimmed to 1.74", primer pockets squared and the case mouth chamfered. The cartridge overall length was set to 2.260".

    I loaded 10 rounds each with charges of CFE 223 at 26.0, 26.5, 27.0, and 27.5 grains. I paused after each 10-round string to collect my brass and record the data from the chronograph. My results were as follows.

    Bullet: 64 gr. BSB 64 gr. BSB 64 gr. BSB 64 gr. BSB 62 gr. Gold Dot
    Powder: 26.0 gr. CFE 223 26.5 gr. CFE 223 27.0 gr. CFE 223 27.5 gr. CFE 223 27.5 gr. CFE 223
    Avg. Velocity: 2,730 FPS 2,757.6 FPS 2,810.5 FPS 2,893.8 FPS 2,830.1 FPS
    Extreme Spread: 59.7 FPS 38 FPS 85.8 FPS 74.9 FPS 34.1 FPS
    Standard Deviation: 22.1 FPS 12.2 FPS 26.5 FPS 23.4 FPS 11.5 FPS
    CV: 0.80% 0.44% 0.94% 0.80% 0.40%
    Mean Avg. Deviation: 17.5 FPS 9.9 FPS 20.7 FPS 16.9 FPS 9.1 FPS
    CV: 0.64% 0.35% 0.73% 0.58% 0.32%




    The Nosler load data shows 26.0 grains of CFE 223 achieving 2,932 FPS from a 26" barrel. Giving up 10" in barrel length I got 200 FPS slower with an average velocity of 2,730 FPS. The velocity increase doubled (27.6 FPS, 52.9 FPS, 83.3 FPS) with each half-grain increase in the powder charge. My assumption is this was the result of higher pressures.

    Examining the cases after firing, the cases from the 27.5 grain loads showed flattened primers that were not apparent in the other loads. All cases would still drop into my case gauge and no other pressure signs were visible. Ejection pattern was hard to determine because the cases were bouncing off the dividers at the range.

    My accuracy was not very good, in the 4” to 5” range but I will blame some of that on my set up. The bench bags I have work well with my Remington 700 but I could not get all of the wiggle out with my AR. Before I go out again I am going to figure out a better set up.

    Most of my groups were fairly evenly distributed but I had one group where 7 of 10 shots were under an inch with 3 fliers high and right making the group about 4.5”. I’ll try to post some pics if anyone is interested.

    From here I am going to load up some more cartridges in the 27.0 to 27.4 grain range in .1 grain increments to try to get the mean average distribution lower.

    I would appreciate any advice you may have. Thanks.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by JB2000 View Post
    I loaded the cartridges on a Dillon RL550B with Dillon dies and the taper crimp die set to put a roll crimp into the cannelure on the bullet
    You can’t set a taper crimp die to do a true roll crimp. From your description it sounds like you’re crushing the case mouth into the cannelure with your taper crimp die. This may be part of your accuracy issue. Try adjusting your crimp die for a light, or no crimp and see if it helps tighten groups. Good luck with your project.

  6. #6
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    JimmyB you’re absolutely right. I looked up the instructions for the Dillon dies and I’m not doing it even close to the right way. I’ll adjust my process before I load up the next ladder.

    Thank you!

  7. #7
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    There was a thread about this a few years ago. https://www.m4carbine.net/archive/in.../t-176726.html

  8. #8
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    Thanks .223Pound.

  9. #9
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    Did they discontinue these?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by ubet View Post
    Did they discontinue these?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    i think they have,i used to get mine from SPS,have not seen them listed or instock for a long time.

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