75 Hdy BTHP in 223

[Ksmirk]

Well after some searching and not really finding the info I was after I just thought I would ask and see if anyone can shed a touch of light on my dilemma or just stupidity.

Been working on the 75 Hornady BTHP in my bolt rifle as they shoot wonderful from my AR and I have a feeling I'm spinning my wheels after this past weekend and some crony time. My normal load for these is 25gr AA2520 at a COAL of 2.250" Fed 205 primers but went out on a limb trying something different. Loaded a mess at 2.330 COAL which was .010" of the lands in my barrel and loaded some starting at 24gr in .3 increments and while I had nothing crazy happen my primers were FLAT! right off the get go.... I stopped at 24.9 and while I was up at 2903fps I read of people getting much more and the thought that goes thru my head is how?

The primers were flat but didn't fill in the pocket, no swipes on the brass and very little firing pin crater so I'm wondering if I should keep going or just call it done.... this rifle is just a pdog rifle and steel plinker in the end. So I guess I the looming question is how are folks getting the velocity I read about? oh the barrel length on my rifle is 26" 1-8 Krieger. If you fella's can shed some light I'd rather appreciate the advice. Later,

Kirk

 

[Topstrap]

I use Hornady 75gr Amax, CCI 400, 24gr 8208 seated ten thousandths off and it shoots crazy good even out to 1000 yards. shot it at Rayner's steel plate matches till I built two 7 twist guns to shoot the 80gr. Berger's. Now it's my wife's gun, nobody else is using 8208 around here but it shoots well.

Topstrap

 

[Ksmirk]

I'm guessing that not many folks shoot the 75 BTHP's or have any info on how folks are getting the velocity they state. Oh well it was worth a try. Later,

Kirk

 

[ronemus]

I shoot Hornady 75's for NRA Highpower and Long Range. In my rifle (spacegun with 28" Krieger 1:7) I use heavier loads of N-550 or RL-15 to get 2930 fps; however, that's in my rifle, not yours. You don't mention your brass; I use LC or win for the extra volume. If you're using Federal or some military brass, the reduced case volume may explain the lighter charges. I use WSR primers, and they're still rounded with my load. The barrel maker, chamber dimensions, and length all play a part. You can't go by velocity alone, as many a KABOOM can attest.

 

[mac86951]

I'm guessing that not many folks shoot the 75 BTHP's or have any info on how folks are getting the velocity they state. Oh well it was worth a try. Later,

Kirk

My 20" barrel was happy at 2600. 2.260" and Varget got me there. Higher nodes are possible; I'm still using g this brass from this load development done years ago, though it's out of match rotation and used for plinking.

-Mac

 

[Fast14riot]

I use 23.2gr 8208 and 2.260 in LC with a Rem 7-1/2 in my service rifle.

 

[Ksmirk]

This is Winchester brass and was it's first time out, primers are Federal 205's but thinking I may try another kind as it seems this bunch I'm getting more flattening from a load I've shot for years with out issue which is 25gr RL15 at 2.260 COL either from the AR or the bolt rifle but this lot of primers I found last night are flat just like the others?????? I know when I was researching I saw some what I thought to be ridiculous velocities! I checked the AA load data and started low and worked up to some 5.56 load data thinking the extra length would help the powder capacity and keep the pressure manageable. Cases were measured and they haven't grown much like .002" if I remember correctly so was thinking another primer and give it another go but may just go back to my original load and call it good as it works in all my 223 rifles and deal with a couple more MIL or MOA adjustments.

Mac my 20" likes my load and it's real close to yours! mine is a touch faster at 2640fps and I've found that 25gr or RL15 or AA2520 change POI not enough you can measure and that same load in my 26" bolt rifle are spitting them at 2790fps.

Fella's thanks for the replies as it's made me think I"m chasing something that I don't really need to catch! some of the things from posting this I've gone back and thought and think I have figured out a couple of things I can change. Again thanks for the replies! Later,

Kirk

 

[Texas10]

From my shooting notes;
Savage 12BVSS, 223 Rem, 26" Criterion 8 twist, Winchester brass, BR-4, Varget, shooting off bi-pod.
75 gr. BTHP Hornaday, 23.5 Varget, 2818 fps, SD 14, ES 41 shot .172 moa at 200 yds

24.8 grs. Varget shot .602 moa at 300 yds.

25.0 grs. Varget shot .955 moa at 300 yds, 2946 fps, SD 12, ES 30.

I get a little better performance out of 69 gr. TMK. Shoots flatter, tighter, faster.

 

[Egg]

Shooting stock savage model 12 .223 LRPV 75 gr a max 7 twist. 23.8 gr of varget .005 jump 2820 fps. Last outing I shot a 5 shot group at 5/8" at 200 yards = .313 MOA. Still fine tuning load. Egg

 

[1lnbrdg]

For several rifles, the IMR-8208 was the most accurate powder I've ever shot for .223. This was with the 77gr Nosler and 80gr Nosler bullets. Velocity duplication was almost neck and neck with Varget loads but it shot better. Currently, I'm shooting H-4895 and it's performing very well on the accuracy side but the velocity is just a tad lower than the previously 2 powders mentioned.

 

[stacy]

H-4895 HAS BEEN A WINNER FOR ME WITH 75GR BTHP'S

 

[Ksmirk]

From what I'm seeing I just have a slow barrel, 23.5 Varget and 2818fps and here I'm only 2790fps with RL15? I know RL15 is a touch slower than the Varget but dang.

stacy, I've narrowed my powders down to RL15 and AA2520 as they do real well and while it seems might not be as fast the accuracy is there and I'd rather hit a target slow than zip on past fast

Thanks fella's I'm just going to call it good and whats a couple more clicks on the scope. Later,

Kirk

 

[boltman223]

From what I'm seeing I just have a slow barrel, 23.5 Varget and 2818fps and here I'm only 2790fps with RL15? I know RL15 is a touch slower than the Varget but dang.

stacy, I've narrowed my powders down to RL15 and AA2520 as they do real well and while it seems might not be as fast the accuracy is there and I'd rather hit a target slow than zip on past fast

Thanks fella's I'm just going to call it good and whats a couple more clicks on the scope. Later,

Kirk

In comparison to my 80 smk's 2818 Doesn't seem slow to me out of a 26" barrel. It took 24.7 grains of varget for me to get 2880 out of a 28". I would guess you're right were you should be.


With varget I would think you could get close to 25 grains and maybe see ~2900fps

 

[SheepDog]

In a bolt gun you can go to 25.3 according to Sierra - that is with their bullet of course.

 

[Ksmirk]

I'm not at 2818 that data was from Texas10 I'm at 2790 with a load of 25gr RL15 or AA2520 but seems the 2520 load the primers are a touch flatter than the RL15 for some reason. I know the Varget is a bit faster but wouldn't think that much! my brother and I have the same load in 308 except he uses Varget and I use RL15 and there is +20fps on his load, the RL15 and AA2520 on the burn rate they are together so the reason I'm using it as well it really meters thru the Dillon

boltman223 I have just figured I need to stop worrying about how fast the bullet gets there and spend more time figuring out the wind Fella's thanks for the advice I rather appreciate the help. Later,

Kirk

 

[Huckleberry75]

Might try the CCI BR4 or CCI 450 primers or Remy 7 1/2's. They have a thicker cup than the F205M's and might not show flattening as bad. I run the CCI- 450 in my 223AI with 24.0 of IMR-8208 & 80.5gn Bergers/LC brass. Need to chrony, but am fire forming with 0.2455" 5 shot groups at 100yds, so not going to complain.

As a plus, the 8208 meters like water through the Dillon. While its an extruded powder, its short kernel lets it run smoothly.

 

[Ksmirk]

Huckleberry75 I was thinking the same on the primers and was going to pick some up this weekend when I go visit my folks. I've heard good things on the 8208 and may grab a pound to try out. Thanks for the suggestion. Later,

Kirk

 

[moorepower]

a very slightly over book load of VV540 in WW brass with CCI 450's made a 1.5" 10 shot group at 200 yards, with my iron sighted Armalite NM AR. Velocity was around 2700 fps.

 

[kevinbritvec]

Your velocities are much higher than anything I am willing to try. I'm assuming a 24" barrel? My 75 grain match load is using 23.5 grains of VihtaVuori N540 is 23.5 grains, Winchester brass and CCI-BR4 primers. I get excellent accuracy and 2720 fps from a 26" space gun.

I consider 2600 to 2650 fps as my maximum safe velocity for 75/77 grain bullets when fired from 20" barrels. I gain just over 100 fps when shooting the same ammo from 24"/26" tubes.

22.0 to 22.5 grains of H4895 is very accurate.
23.5 to no more than 24.0 grains of Varget or RE-15 is very accurate.

I seat these bullets at 2.250". I consider all of these loads maximums when fired from an AR15.

I only will use the following primers, Remington 7.5's, CCI-BR4's, CCI-450's, CCI-#41's and Wolf kvb-5,56m.

Since Winchester stopped nickel plating their small rifle primers around ten years ago I stopped using them. CCI-400's, Federal or any other just aren't as tough as the ones I listed above. I would drop your powder charges until you're below 2750 fps from a 24" barrel. Even that is hot IMO.