.223 using Varget powder..

I decided to try out Varget since it was recommended by so many people. But i ran into a probem. I decided to use 40 grain v-max bullets and in the hodgdon reloading book it says for varget the max load is 28.0 C. And C means compressed powder charge. So i get out the scale set the powder drop at 28 grains and it literally over flows the casing. I checked my measurements over and over and it was dead on 28. So i drop the measure ment to 27 grains and it is just below the rim. So my question is what am i doing wrong??? And is it bad if the bullet compresses down on the powder charge??? Thanks for any input…

I’m working out of town, so I can not check my notebook. Have you started lower and working your way up? In my mind, 28gr sound high, but I could be wrong here. I’m not a fan of compressed load. For my own results, I find that a 95 to 98% case fill usually performs better. Have double checked your OAL and trim length of the case?

Sent you a pm.

I’ve had my best luck with Benchmark in the .223’s… Probably loaded for 5 or 6 different guns that shot it well

I had a chance this morning to look over my loading journal. Most of the .223 loads that I’m doing with varget is in the 26 to 27.2 range. The 27.2 is borderline with compression. I’m questioning your trim length on your case, or your scale???? RL-15 is another very popular powder for .223 that you may want to try.

Thanks for the help guys. I did check my trim length and it was good. I loaded 9 different rounds with three different powders. One was Varget loaded with 26 grains. H322 with 24.5 grains. And benchmark with 25.5 grains. Varget shot a group you could cover with a quarter at 100 yards. H322 was very similar and Benchmark was about a half dollar of a group. All was shot with hornady 40 grain V-max bullets with federal No. 400 primers. life1978 sent me a PM that explained why the 28 grains would not fit in a 223 casing perfectly which made perfect sense. Thanks again for the help.