223 heavys

[Ned Ludd]

Little up date on this project: the goal was to find something other Varget and CCI 450’s to use in 16” barrel with 80gr SMK. That had I had on hand. After 3 range days I have narrowed it down to 1 powder H322 which is good because I have 5 lbs on hand! From what I’ve read it’s not highly recommended for heavies but works good for my gun producing 1/2 in 5 shot groups now I know that’s not bench rest groups but this not a custom built benchrest rifle but a other a aftermarket 16” barrel it’s bone stock savage Striker with 2lb trigger. Right now both CCI br and RP 7 1/2 primers with the H322 have actually out shot Varget / 450’s. and the 7 1/2 are producing better groups than the Br primers with BR’s give a little more speed but a higher ES and SD but if you read the thread on ES and SD in 223 that’s a challenge in its self LOL. After one more range day I will make the call on primers then start tweaking both the load and seating dept and may work on the ES and SD, but right now because this will be completing against 223 rifles they are facing the same obstacles that I am. The biggest plus is the match this gun is intended for I have to drive 5 hrs. Round trip stay all day and shoot the Brx 20 rounds, but now I can shoot in the 223 class and then shoot the BrX in open kinda makes the trip worth it rambling on a rainy day
thanks for your input

I've used H322 under the 80.5s in a .223 Rem rifle setup that more or less forced me to go with a faster powder than I would have ordinarily chosen (i.e. zero freebore chamber, relatively short barrel). That load shoots extremely well, even though many would consider H322 quite fast for such an application. Regardless, H322 is an excellent powder. The situation in which it might cause problems or not work so great might be in a rifle with plenty of freebore for the heavies, and a 28-30" barrel length. In such a situation, the case fill ratio might be lower than is desirable and the powder might be completely burned up before the bullet exits the muzzle. It doesn't sound like either of those possibilities is an issue for your setup. Hope it works well for you.