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.223 69gr smk

fscrook

Hello.
Im wondering if I should change powders. Im using AA2495 and i have one 1lb can left and i'm wondering if i should order more or try something else . The best load i found using a ptII have been 24.5g 2.335" sierra 69g smk. I'm using lapua brass and br4 primers. I have allot so i don't want to try and get different primers, the primers are kinda old too so that might be contributing to results. Im using redding busing dies and microseater, sinclair priming tool, wilson micro trimmer, and an acculab scale.

My velocities for that load are 2568, 2560, 2554, 2557, 2576, 2564, 2532, 2549, 2501, 2492
SD 26 , if i remove the two lowest numbers, which im not sure why those two happened and why they happened back to back then the SD is 12

The second best performing load was 24.8g. Velocities 2634, 2590, 2575, 2609, 2613, 2594. SD 18 , but the waves on the pressure trace are noticeably worse when compared to the 24.5, as are other charge weights.

Im using a cle chambered 16" 1:7 douglas barrel. I understand there are similar posts to this. I'm sorry. I like the 69's and i don't want to switch to the 77's or 80s. Thank you for reading.
 
If your happy with the results order more. If your not happy, then do some research and order something different. Actually make you a list and order what is available. There are a bunch of powders that will work just fine for a 223 with 69 SMKs. Are you shooting a bolt gun or AR15?

Frank.
 
fscrook,

VV N-133 and CCI 41 primers at nominal length with your barrel. Clean and consistent.

HTH,
DocBII
 
If your satisfied with the performance you've gotten so far, you can buy up to 5 lb more (per one month) of the AA2495 here:

shop.hodgdon.com

Accurate 2495®

Accurate 2495 is a single-base, extruded rifle powder that was developed for the 308 Win and can be used over a wide range of rifle calibers. It is a very popular powder for 308 Win. NRA High Power shooting disciplines, as well as heavy bullet 223 Rem target applications. 2495 is a versatile...
shop.hodgdon.com shop.hodgdon.com

AA2495 has been available at reasonable intervals in the last 8-9 months. Many of the obvious choices you might consider as a replacement have not, and it's currently unclear when/if they actually will be available. This might be one of those times when a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
 
I have been using the 69's for a while, driving them a bit faster with Varget (25.4g) in a 26in. Shot fine. Having just changed to a 8 twist, I have been even more pleased with 75/77g (24.4g varget). Othe powders that I have played with - with good results - Benchmark, around 23.5g,and probably a good choice for a shorter barrel. 8208 , cant remember the load offhand - but very accurate. I will be working up the load fo 75g with 8208 to save Varget for the 308.
 
I use 24.5gr of Varget, LC cases, 205M AR, with 69gr SMK in my AR and they shoot great out to 300. Beyond that I use 80gr SMK, same powder charge. My AR has a 26", 1:7.7" Krieger barrel on it.
 
In the society we now live in, I take what I can get and am happy to have it. That said, a friend gave me a lb of RE-15. I usually shoot Varget but am saving it for F Class. RE-15 is very good with 69's.
 
I get good results with Varget and 8208.Velocity spread is usually less than 10 FPS for 5 shots with Varget.Haven't had time to run 8208 through the chrono.
 
Much of the advice on alternate powders would have to come with the comments that it doesn’t do much good to talk about powders you can’t get easily. That said, there are so many good ones for a 69 gr 223 that you should be okay if you want to try a different one just for the experience.

A look at the Accurate Shooter web site has a 223 page with a link to the Sierra Load Manual with a great list of candidates.

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

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

And here is an old list of Service RIfle pet loads also known to be good starting points to play with. The H4895, Varget, R-15, etc., are all known to do well around 2900 with the 69s.

http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm

The lists above don’t even include some of the newest powders, so your shopping list can get very long.

As for those ES and SD numbers, they shouldn’t stop you from the vast majority of what you would typically be trying with that rig. That isn’t to say you should not keep trying to learn how to do better, it is to say you can do a lot of great shooting while you learn to load better.
 
Last edited:
H335, N133, 8208 XBR, AR Comp, CFE 223, TAC, Varget, RL15, Shooters World powders, etc...

There are quite a few proven powders that perform well. With the 16" barrel you probably want to stay with a faster burning powder. http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2018/08/get-latest-powder-burn-rate-chart-here/

Right now the challenge is just finding any quantity of powder. You can always do the #1 jug challenge and buy a couple of different flavors to test. I am playing with 69SMK and 8208 XBR (temp stable) out of 24" barrel. If I had more volume on hand, I would also test AR Comp.

I'm in Texas so temp stability is important factor. If I select a powder that isn't temp stable then I am loading to performance (velocity/pressure) during Summer heat and accepting minor variation during cooler weather (finding the widest node) or making minor adjustments to my load a couple of times a year.

If you are concerned about temp stability then AR Comp, 8208 XBR, N133, Varget.
 
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OP you have discussed the chrono stats, but what is the target performance? What was your load development procedure? In other words if you went through a rigorous load development to define a nice node on the target, I would not sweat the chrono.
 
fkimble@charter.net said:
If your happy with the results order more. If your not happy, then do some research and order something different. Actually make you a list and order what is available. There are a bunch of powders that will work just fine for a 223 with 69 SMKs. Are you shooting a bolt gun or AR15?

Frank.
Click to expand...
It's an ar15
jelenko said:
Can you say more about what your objective is for the load?
Also, you mention pressure traces - what are you using pressure traces for in your load development?
Click to expand...
To check for general consistency particularly during ignition/peak pressure, exit times/nodes , and i compare the peak pressures to factory loads for safety purposes. My objective would simply be the best load possible. Kinda dumb right
Ned Ludd said:
If your satisfied with the performance you've gotten so far, you can buy up to 5 lb more (per one month) of the AA2495 here:

shop.hodgdon.com

Accurate 2495®

Accurate 2495 is a single-base, extruded rifle powder that was developed for the 308 Win and can be used over a wide range of rifle calibers. It is a very popular powder for 308 Win. NRA High Power shooting disciplines, as well as heavy bullet 223 Rem target applications. 2495 is a versatile...
shop.hodgdon.com shop.hodgdon.com

AA2495 has been available at reasonable intervals in the last 8-9 months. Many of the obvious choices you might consider as a replacement have not, and it's currently unclear when/if they actually will be available. This might be one of those times when a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Click to expand...
very true great advice
RegionRat said:
As for those ES and SD numbers, they shouldn’t stop you from the vast majority of what you would typically be trying with that rig. That isn’t to say you should not keep trying to learn how to do better, it is to say you can do a lot of great shooting while you learn to load better.
Click to expand...
thank you for that
Oso said:
If you are concerned about temp stability then AR Comp, 8208 XBR, N133, Varget.
Click to expand...
yes and thank you

CharlieNC said:
OP you have discussed the chrono stats, but what is the target performance? What was your load development procedure? In other words if you went through a rigorous load development to define a nice node on the target, I would not sweat the chrono.
Click to expand...

ah thank you. The chrono results concern me more then downrange performance. I've shot a few 3 shot sub1" groups at 300 but the 10 shot groups give a flyer or two making them roughly 3". Overall i'm not disappoint with the accuracy.
afret said:
Have you seen this guy's videos?

Click to expand...

thank you for that.

thank you all very much. I'll have to keep re-reading all this , looking around, and consider my options.
 
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