.223/5.56: Heavy bullets and W748?

[JH1961]

I'm interested in developing 'heavy bullet' loads for my Mossberg MVP LR in 5.56NATO. It has a 20-inch, 1/7 twist barrel. I have several brands (Hornady, Sierra, and Barnes) of bullets in the 69-77gr range. The only powder that I currently have available, however, is W748. Are there any loads that will produce 2,500+fps with heavy bullets and W748 for use out to 400+ yds? For future use, what powder do *need*? FWIW, I'm still searching for CCI Small Rifle Benchrest primers

 

[Jeff Porter]

Many suitable powders for your request. H4895, 8208Xbr, Varget, Reloader 15 are commonly used with 69-80 gr bullets in 1:7 to 2700 -2800 fps velos with 23-24.5gr.

For 748 I have used 24.0-24.5 with 69’s. Start at 23.5 and work up for 75-80 gr. It is better suited for lighter 50-62 gr bullets. The other powders listed will give better velocity with the heavies.

 

[Walt Krafft]

For primers stay with ones designed for the AR.

 

[jelenko]

GRT shows ~ an accuracy node around 2720 fps/52K psi with 23.9gr of 748 in a 556 nato chamber and a 20" barrel.
In a SAAMI 223 chamber, it shows several several thousand psi higher.

 

[JH1961]

Thnx, guys!

 

[JH1961]

For primers stay with ones designed for the AR.

These will be used ONLY in a bolt gun.

 

[JH1961]

So... You guys have talked me out of W748. Tell me about IMR 4895.

 

[liseo]

In my 223 30 inches barrel, I achieved 2883 fps with 25,1 grains of W-748 and Berger 90 grains VLD bullet. Hot load, the brass lasted only 3 reloads.
But accuracy wasnt good, best results with N150, 23,9 grains and 2794 fps

*** W-748 very old powder lot

 

[JB10]

I use alot of w748 but all with 50gr and 53gr pills.

 

[SSL]

Plug your weights into the Hodgdon Reloading site and see what looks right for you. Lots of options.

 

[William Vogel]

I used 748 with Berger 70 vld and got good accuracy but it’s a 26 inch bolt gun. I use faster powders for AR. TAC and X-Terminator or A2230 will get you 2650-2700 with your combination of barrel and bullet. Start out slow, I find them aggressive on velocity. I’ve got a 75 grain load for my 26 gun that’s 24.2 grains of TAC 2950fps and a 18 inch AR load of A2230 24.5 grains behind a 62 Sierra 2960fps. Both are stable but I made the mistake of using 25.4 TAC 75 in the 26 and it went 3100! I only shot 2 rounds and pulled bullets.