.223 with 69 gr. Sierra HPBT

[yukonal]

What powder are you guys using with the 69 grain Sierra? And could you share your charge weight?

On hand, I have H322, Varget, N140, and H4831. I'm thinking Varget or N140.

 

[Redhighpower]

I use Varget. I would start at 23.5 and work up in 0.5gr increaments watching for pressure signs. I shoot across the course and I find in my rifles 1-7 and 1-8 twist AR platforms , I can use 25.0 gr of Varget for 69s thru 80s SMKs. I not sure what your twist is and whether it is semi automatic or bolt. Again work up to that load. Larry

 

[John11-87]

I tried have tried varget, 8208 , and h335 amd got the best accuracy woth 23gr of h335 fed match primer in a win case jammed .010 . shoots .4 to .6 moa to 300 - 400 yards from the bench if I do my part in my remington 700 vtr (1 in 9 ) with a choate tactical stock. After 400 the wind beats me up still have got some decent groups at 600..... Wish I could remember the velocity..
Hope this helps,
John

 

[SS427]

Have you downloaded the Sierra .223 reloading data off this website? Everything you need right there.

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223rembolt.pdf

That is the bolt gun info, but there is also a link to the AR15 loads as well.

Sierra's accuracy load is N540, so the N140 you have would be a good start. Varget is the right burn rate and certainly worth a try. My 1:9 twist Savage shot H322 better with 69 grain bullets, but I think that is the exception.

 

[yukonal]

Have you downloaded the Sierra .223 reloading data off this website?

Sierra's accuracy load is N540, so the N140 you have would be a good start.

Yep, got the Sierra info. Thought I'd ask, because real world info usually trumps book work. I really want to try the N140, as I've never used it before. Been a Varget slut for over 10 years.

Forgot to add, it's a bolt gun...8 twist.

 

[Taildrag15X]

With 1-8" you should try 80 SMK's, they will trump the 69's in wind......

 

[fdshuster]

24.5 of Varget, 80 gr. SMK's in a bolt gun. 25.5 of Varget, 69 gr. SMK's in a bolt, 25.0 of Varget in the AR's.

 

[Danley]

69SMK's / 25.5 RL15 / CCI 450 ... (HOT load so work up to it). Shoots in the .2's & .3's @ 100 out of a 9 twist factory Savage barrel ... 20"

 

[MrMajestic]

I use both in my .223 bolt and gas guns. Some like Varget, some like N140! They can be as finicky as the opposite gender! Makes for a large supply of smokeless powders and my local FD wince!

 

[markr]

Got good velocity and accuracy with Norma 201, Sierra says it's the best for velocity.

 

[Johnboy]

from my 1:9 I have been able to shoot the 69gn NCC with 24.0gn's of 8208 XBR.they are running around 3000 fps.at 100 it's just one ragged hole with five shoots.when shoot at 300 I am able to keep them at 1.5 inches with 15 shoots.

I know its not the sierra MK but have found no difference from one or the other but price.

 

[yukonal]

I had the N140 vs Varget shoot out today. Had a couple doozies with N140. But, Varget really shined.

25.0 cranked out a .246" at .010" off the lands...
25.0 cranked out a .255" at .020" off the lands...

One other in the 2's, and 2 in the 3's. I think I found my baby. These were fireform rounds, and finishing up barrel break-in. Now the fun starts. ;D

 

[SUDDEN DEATH]

69 g smk, varget 24.0

 

[distinguished]

24gr N140 with 69's here. N140 meters better than varget for me and I get high X count cleans at 200 and 300 from all of my AR's XTC.

 

[Laurie]

24-25gn of either powder in a Wylde chamber, maybe less in one with a shorter throat. 25gn N140 may be a bit too much on a very hot day (rarely an issue for us in England).

Personally, I prefer slightly faster burners with 68-73gn bullets, Viht N135 and H4895. N140 and VarGet are ideal for 80s. This was in a manually operated (side-handle for extraction / bolt withdrawal) AR-15 with a 26 Lilja 1-8" match barrel and Wylde chamber. You soon know if pressures are getting on the high side with manual ARs and no gas power to overcome a tight fired case in the chamber!

 

[yukonal]

69 g smk, varget 24.0

That's the .330" I had. But, I'm guessing since it's consistently doing a little better at 25.0, it'll hold a little better accuracy...and buck the wind better at 300 and 600, than the 24.0.

 

[Utah Shooter]

What powder are you guys using with the 69 grain Sierra? And could you share your charge weight?

On hand, I have H322, Varget, N140, and H4831. I'm thinking Varget or N140.

I personally like the Hornady 75 HPBT's and some 8208 XBR. I also have had great success with 8208 and Hornady 68 BTHP's. Both are shooting under .400 5 shot groups at 100 yards in my AR.

 

[liseo]

I have one question for you, more experienced shooters.

I have one custom 223 rifle with my gusmith right now.

The barrel have 1/9 tw and not sure if it will stabilize de FB 77 grains bullets made with .930" jackets( and I have 2000 of then :'()
The stability will not improve if I make these bullets using a lighter core, as the jackets still have the same weight, correct??


What do you think ??

 

[GarethMarijt]

I use 22.8 gr N135 with the 69 gr SMKs (1 in 9 twist)

 

[KMart]

I shoot 23.6 gr of benchmark with the 69 smk and a wolf srm primer. Under .5 at 100 and under 2" at 400. In the hands of a competent shooter it would do better.