Flat base v. Boat-tail 55gr .223

[kelbro]

It's been a while since I loaded these flat base DogTowns and I'm hoping that I don't have to do an entire load workup when switching from the Hornady boat-tails.

Shooting them in front of a load of CFE223 in a 1:7 twist 16" AR topped with an EOTech so not shooting tiny groups at 600yds. but I do like to keep as close to MOA as possible.

For those of you that switch back and forth, am I going to notice much of a difference between the two?

 

[Blue68f100]

You will need to do a load workup for the different bullet. Ogive is different from Hornady besides the amount of bullet in the case.

 

[Bfh_auto]

If you stay with cup and core with similar design, the powder charge will be within a few tenths.
Changing bullet design means you need to totally start over.

 

[Skeptic13]

If you look at the Hornady manual they show all of the 55gr lead core bullets having the same load data. That includes both flat base and boat tail bullets.

 

[sparkyv]

Yes, but which charge works best in a given firearm is not in the Hornady manual. That's determined empirically.

If you look at the Hornady manual they show all of the 55gr lead core bullets having the same load data. That includes both flat base and boat tail bullets.

 

[kelbro]

Thanks all. From past history, I know they will be fairly close. I was hoping that I could set the Dillon up and run a few hundred of each without adjusting the powder drop. I'll work through both and see if I can find a happy medium. As my eyes age, so do my load workup MOA requirements!

 

[kelbro]

You will need to do a load workup for the different bullet. Ogive is different from Hornady besides the amount of bullet in the case.

Yep, seater adjustment required. About .03 difference.

 

[kelbro]

Well, I got lucky this time. 25.5gr and 27.0gr of CFE shot pretty well with both bullets. Makes it much easier setting up the powder drop on the Dillon 550!

Side note: The wind was in my face a little and that CFE is not the most pleasant smelling powder.