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  #1  
Old 08-01-2020, 02:58 PM
charlesasmith charlesasmith is offline
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Default Also looking for opinions

I have a 223 that I am working up a load for. Most of my powders are from the 90's. Have H335, Win 748, WC844. H335 has been a favorite, but want to use up my Win 748. My old Hodgdon manual has a max load for the 40-53 gr bullets as 28 grs! Strange as the 40 gr max shows only 44,000 CUP. When doing a ladder test I found that 28.5 grains was a good node. However, it filled a Lapua case 1/2 way up the neck. The 40 gr V-Max bullet compresses the powder about 1/8-3/16ths of an inch.

The load was shot at 72 degrees without any pressure signs. Unfortunately, my Labradar did not read the fps. I would be shooting in 90 degree weather. I could use a long drop tube to see if the powder would fill only to the neck/shoulder junction. I have never shot a compressed load before and have some doubts about it.

Any suggestions/recommdations?

Thanks,

Chuck
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  #2  
Old 08-01-2020, 03:14 PM
Double D Double D is offline
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Super accurate loads for .223 and .22/250 with H335 developed in fall and winter at the covered shooting range. temperatures in the 50s-70's.

When shot in the spring and temperatures raised above the 80 mark and/or the ammo was sitting in the sun on the shooting table while shooting prairie dogs, popped primers and stuck cases. Loads were mid range in the load manual. shot only in bolt guns.

H335 is very temperature sensitive-or it was when I last bought and used it. Wow, that was in the early 90's. Use caution anyway. It is a very easy to meter, consistent powder other wise.
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  #3  
Old 08-01-2020, 03:35 PM
coyotespotter coyotespotter is offline
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I keep trying to find a powder other than benchmark for 223 and bullets 40-53 grs. Never have had a problem out prairie dogging 50-53 gr bullets and 25-25.5 grs of powder. I will give AR comp a try, but a 8 pound or 3 of benchmark is next purchase.
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Old 08-01-2020, 06:19 PM
TinMan TinMan is offline
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For the 223 Rem, I have liked W748 with the heavier bullets, like the 69gr SMK or even the 63gr SMP. I think a 52gr SMK liked around 25gr max for W748. My favorite powder for 40gr VMAX is AA2200, which is a bit faster burn rate.
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Old 08-01-2020, 06:48 PM
df06 df06 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by coyotespotter View Post
I keep trying to find a powder other than benchmark for 223 and bullets 40-53 grs. Never have had a problem out prairie dogging 50-53 gr bullets and 25-25.5 grs of powder. I will give AR comp a try, but a 8 pound or 3 of benchmark is next purchase.
I’ve tried to consolidate powders and have settled on Benchmark. I use it in 223, 204R, 22PPC, 17 Rem, 6PPC. It works very well in all these cartridges and seems not temperate sensitive.
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Old 08-01-2020, 08:56 PM
Bill K Bill K is offline
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CFE 223 works very well in several cartridges and gives excellent accuracy and velocity. Bill K
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  #7  
Old 08-01-2020, 11:53 PM
dungheap dungheap is offline
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Winchester 748 was my go-to powder for .223's for a long, long time. Pretty much any case, Remington 7 1/2 primers, 26.5 grains. OAL depended on bullet. A huge favorite was the Hornady 55 grain SX bullet, got a ton of PD's and other critters with those. Most other bullets in that weight range worked fine as well. No temperature/pressure issues ever.
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Old 08-02-2020, 12:46 AM
GrocMax GrocMax is offline
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FYI Benchmark and 8208XBR are so close to each other in a 223 sized case as to be nearly interchangeable with small adjustments.
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  #9  
Old 08-02-2020, 04:14 AM
georgeld georgeld is offline
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Default

I've never used any of those.

Only two I stuck with were 4895/25gr
and 2200/23gr.

Both worked just great in both the .222mag and
.223 with 35, 40 & 55gr bullets. Just under 3000fps.
That's all it takes to make 'em fly and end up in pulped mess.
My Sako L461 and replacement barrels both had 14/1 twists.

OP: buy a new loading book! Powders have changed a bunch
over the years. Plus lots of new one's have been released.
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  #10  
Old 08-02-2020, 03:06 PM
L Rivard L Rivard is offline
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Default Powder Opinions

I have been very satisfied with Western Powders TAC. I use it in .222 Rem, .223 Rem and .204 Ruger. It meters well, doesn't seem temperature sensitive, and gives good accuracy in all my rifles.
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