Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles reduced loads?????

I have been doing something with the .223 and I have a question about it's safety.
I have been buying cheap surplus military ammo and pulling the bullets. I take the powder from 50 rounds, weigh it, throw half away, put 1/50 of the remainder in each case and then seat a 50 gr. soft point over a wad of Dacron filler.
Is there a possiblity of this being too light? I know its a little late to ask! i read somewhere about a danger with reduced loads of a "secondary ignition" of unburned gases , or something to that effect.
I see no pressure signs, primers look Ok, and the cases seem to be sealing well, no smokey necks etc.
I use the reduced loads for squirrels, rabbits, foxes and such. This allows me to carry some standard loads for the occaisional coyote or wild dog.
They group well and don't cost an arm and a leg to shoot.

Whatever yanks your crank, I guess. The filler is probably a good idea in that it keeps the powder near the primer AND helps open the neck on the way out, helping sealing somewhat.
Still, if you insist on a reduced 223 load, you should try 40 grainers or less over between 13.5 and 14 grains of Blue Dot. It's cheap, darn accurate, and I've found that I can have BD loads in both my 22BR and my 223. I was AMAZED at the accuracy in the BR. Best load ever in what was a troublesome rifle from Day One, even though it shouldn't shoot well with the long, cracked throat in that thing.
It works up a stiff head of steam quickly and then peters out, so the load is quiet, yet still reasonably fast, in the 3100 fps ballpark.

I load the BLUE DOT loads way down, slightly less than weak Hornet velocity. I just ran out and had some of the old re-worked loads laying around. I just got to wondering about the detonation issue with the regular powder. The modified surplus rounds shoot close enough to POA at <100 as to be barely noticable.

Hey, Terry,
I understand perfectly. Cheap is good, especially if it works well.