223 50gr Vmax with Win 748

[jeffsqartan]

Back around 2006 my Dad and I went prairie dog hunting with some friends. They gave him some hand-loaded 223. We are planning on going hunting again and I started reloading 45 and 300blk and told my Dad I'd remake those same rounds since he had the load data for them.

Here's the load data that I have:
50gr Hornady V-max bullet
27.3 gr of Winchester 748
Winchester primer
Case is IMI
Case length is 1.752
These were loaded on 07/05/2002.

I don't have an OAL listed, just case length.
As I stated, I'm new to reloading, so I try to be smart and play on the slow/safe side with powders. Well, the 27.3 gr of powder is what has me concerned. I generally follow the Hodgdon reloading site and it's max load is 26.0 gr of Win 748 at a COL of 2.210"
However, my Lyman 50th edition for a 50gr Jacketed Blitz bullet shows a max load of 29.0 gr of Win 748 at a COL of 2.235". It's the closest thing I could find to the 50gr V-max.

Does anyone have any info on the V-max and Win 748 combination? We didn't have issues with the rounds we were given, and I've been told that some of these sites play it safe with their powder recommendations, but I'm not looking to blow up anything other than prairie dogs.
My dad wants me to get as close to the original load as possible because he really liked how these shot out of his Boss bolt rifle.

Thanks!

 

[BiscuitsandGravy]

Per the Hornady 9th Edition...

50gr Vmax- Win 748 Starts at 24.5gr@2900fps to 28.3gr@3400fps COL 2.240 YMMV.

Work it up and watch for pressure signs.

 

[Robert Richardson]

27.3 should be fine.

 

[jeffsqartan]

Thanks, guys! I'll start at 24.5 and work up!

 

[sloughfoot]

Anything more than 27.5 will be a compressed load. I have found 27.5 with 50 to 55 grain bullets to be safe in all my rifles chambered in .223.

OAL of 2.250

 

[hoot gibson]

50V with 748

Also keep in mind that Winchester powders are temperature sensitive. Loaded in 70 degree environment & shot in 80 to 100 degree environment and had repeated hard bolt lift. That has been my experience with both W748 & W760 usage.

 

[rg1]

Only chronograph testing with Hornady 50 V-Max in .223 Rem was in a bolt action Remington 600 rifle. Don't have the barrel length available. Cases were Remington, primer RP 7 1/2, Win 748 powder at Hornady manual overall length of 2.240".
26.7 gr. Win 748---2990 fps
27.5-----------------3076
28.2-----------------3193-3218 fps
No loads showed high pressure but in this Rem 600 26.7 grains at 2990 fps showed great accuracy. I agree Win 748 is temp sensitive in high summer temperatures but in my experience your 27.3 is a moderate load and should be fine. Wouldn't dare load Lyman's max you listed. Hornady tested from 24.5 to 28.3 for velocities from 2900 fps up to 3400 fps at 28.3 in a 26" Remington 700 rifle. Like mentioned I load a Remington XP 100R 16" barrel and the Rem 600 at 26.7 with no issues even in hot temps.