Thread: ADI book max’s

Originally Posted by Nathan F

How lenient are book Max loads ? How longs a piece of string I guess. So I’m trying to get as much speed as possible out of my .223. I’m using the 69gn targex and have just switched powder to 2208 for more speed.
Book max states 26.0 which is a compressed load. I’ve gone to 26.5 with slightly flattened primers but no marks. I’m using new Norma brass. The rifle is a T3x with a 16”5 inch barrel. Looking at the load data 2208 should be the fastest. Worth trying anything else ?
Any ideas or input appreciated.

Greetings @Nathan F,
I am getting around 2,960 fps from the 69 grain Sierra HPBT with 25 grains of AR2206H which is as compressed as I like to use. This is in a T3x with a 570mm barrel. Before discounting the Hodgdon/ ADI data there are a couple of factors that may already be raising pressure. Hodgdon data is for Winchester cases which are one of the lighter cases at around 97 grains including fired primer. I don't have a weight for the Norma cases but Sako and Lapua both weighed around 105 grains. These cases would give more pressure with the same load as the Winchester. I also don't know the construction of the Targex projectiles. If these are anything other than a cup and core type they could push up pressure as well. Published data has a bit built in for such differences but how much? Reading some of Ken Waters Pet Loads articles he found large differences in velocity an pressure in .222 cases of different manufacture and from my weighing the .223 cases are little different. I don't have much faith in primer appearance for guessing pressure and ejector marks often mean you have gone too far already, perhaps much too far. To me 2,800 fps from that short barrel seems to be what you should expect. Perhaps it is time to add a rifle for the longer stuff.
Regards Grandpamac.

803ft/lbs at 300 yds