What other powders can I try .223 bolt, 1-7 twist

[JackWagon]

Doing load development on a new Howa 1500 .223 20" 1-7 twist bedded in a laminate stock. 77gr SMK's. Only powders I had on hand. Fairly windy day.
Varget best group
.639 at 24gr
Precision
.52 at 23.2

I know I have some inconstant brass as it's new Starline 5.56 brass and boy did they make it small (Slight pressure signs at 24.3 Varget). The stuff hardly touched the FL sizing die. the 24gr load was compressed so once I get it all fire formed the results may change (In my fire formed Lapaua 24gr was not compressed)

Yea I Know, long winded way of asking what other powders should I bee looking at. I would LOVE to get away from Hodgdon so I was looking at N140

 

[RegionRat]

N140 is certainly worth a try.

The 223/556 is a fairly flexible caliber, but does want the twist that aligns to the bullets you want to run. Once you are in that happy zone, the powder list does tend to narrow down. That said, with the exception of a few new ball powders and maybe TS-15.5, the main web page on 223 does have a good list of suggestions.

https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/



I would start with N-140 and see how it compares to your Varget test, and yes the pressure can get high with the 77 SMK/TMK in some loads. It certainly performs well, but is also hard on the brass when you get up in that 2750 fps range.

Have fun and Marry Christmas!

 

[Zero333]

I get awesome accuracy with Win-748, and it's not as temp sensitive as most folks think.

Other 223/5.56/308win powders I've come to depend on are...

H-4895 (imr-4895 is good too)
H-335
N-530
N-140

 

[CJ6]

CFE 223, N-140, Win. 748.

 

[Bill K]

You should really try some CFE 223 in that 223.

 

[6Creed73]

My favorites for 223/5.56 are CFE-223, Varget, W748 in that order.

 

[Terry]

RL15 has always worked.

 

[SeabeeKen]

N-135 and N-140 has done well with 77 SMK

 

[Chilly807]

You might find the N-140 a tad slow burning for the 77 gr, but it's worth trying. I used some of it with the Lapua 77gr and 69gr match bullets. I'm currently using it with 80 SMK and 80.5 Bergers.
23.8-24.0 gr is giving me 2730-2750 fps from an 8 twist 24" barrel. Neither load is compressed, which is something to consider with the 223.

If both N-135 and N-140 are available I think I'd try some N-135 with the 77's first and see what happens. If it's too fast for the 77's, it should work well with 55gr-69 gr.

 

[AccelR8]

I noticed there's published data for StaBall 6.5 for the 223 and the 77 SMK. Max is 2,733 fps. I plan to give it a try as I have lots of that powder which I use in other cartridges. Also saw data for StaBall Match but didn't look at it as I don't have any of that. They are, however, Hodgdon-ish...

 

[Jeff Porter]

The unobtainable H4895 is the best for me in 1:7. IMR 8208 and N135 also shoot small groups with mag length 77’s and single load heavies.

 

[joshb]

Varget, H335, 748, Bl-C2. Why move away from Hogdon?
Quite a few guys use the “A” powders. Check, but it might be A2015? I don’t use it so……
I’m sitting on plenty of Varget and H335.

 

[Rob01]

8208 and N135. I use 8208 now with my 75 ELD-Ms in my match rifle and a couple buddies use N135 and I bought some but haven't used it yet. I load mine to 2.470" and they fit in MDT poly .223 mags which can take up to 2.550".

 

[coldboreshot]

8208 XBR and H4895

 

[JackWagon]

Varget, H335, 748, Bl-C2. Why move away from Hogdon?
Quite a few guys use the “A” powders. Check, but it might be A2015? I don’t use it so……
I’m sitting on plenty of Varget and H335.

I probably should not say this out loud but in all honesty, I am tired of the highway robbery. I saw it coming when they bought up all the other powder companies and true to form turned into greedy swine.

I mean good grief, 80 bucks for a 10oz bottle of blackhorn 209 was my last straw with them. Moved my 6br over to Precision, my other .223's 1-12 twist to N133.

 

[memilanuk]

I noticed there's published data for StaBall 6.5 for the 223 and the 77 SMK. Max is 2,733 fps. I plan to give it a try as I have lots of that powder which I use in other cartridges. Also saw data for StaBall Match but didn't look at it as I don't have any of that. They are, however, Hodgdon-ish...

StaBall 6.5 seems like it'd be a bit slow for a .223 Rem. Isn't it supposed to be more H4350-ish in burn rate?

 

[Jsf1978]

My FTR rifle loves N140 and 90 smk or 90 Berger vld. Varget is good but the 140 is better

 

[jwink]

I get results that are better than I am with 8208 XBR.

 

[lawman29]

Try different primers with varget?

 

[CaptJim]

I have had good luck with 748, 335 H4895 and Tac. I have not tried N140 but may at some point. Tac is actually very similar to H4895 performance wise. Any of these will outperform this shooter. LOL. I load all these with Winchester small rifle primers. I know the mag primers can give a little more velocity but I'm not trying to eek out max velocity, actually my milder loads shoot more accurately, and don't beat up the weapon. Tac, 335 and 748 are my favorites. If I had only one powder for the .223/5.56 it would be Tac.
CJ