223AI and 80 grain bullets, favorite powders

[MLC]

I've been using 8208XBR for a while now with 75 AMAXs.
It's been steel shooting for the most part so using unsorted but same year LC brass has worked well enough at to 11-1200 in the high desert.
20 for record at 600 and 40' asl is a different story so I figured I'd dust off some 80 VLDs Ive had around and use the formed Lapua brass I have.
I dialed back my load a bit from the 75's and was fiddling in QL and comparing velocities of other powders I have on hand and was struck by the speeds that H4895 and IMR 3031 offer.
Has anyone tried these powders in a 223AI with an 80?

 

[dstoenner]

Varget is my go to powder for any thing havier than 69 gr in both my Match AR's and bolt 223. Both have 1:8 twist with Wylde chambers. My SMK load is 24 gn and I shoot a mid range F-Class match using 80 AMAXes using 25 gn Varget.

HTH

David

 

[fredo]

Fireform with TAC
Full house with Varget

 

[10at6]

Re-15 is my favorite for the 223 ai Worked up to 26 grains with the 80s

 

[BW]

I too had best accuracy in my 223ai with Varget. 25.1 gr, 7.7 twist, with a 80 amax @ 2910fps. On calm days its unbelievable how well it shoots at 600.

 

[MGYSGT]

I only have a .223, but I use Varget for 80 grain A Max. I have gone to 25.4, but the brass just doesn't hold up.

 

[MLC]

I too had best accuracy in my 223ai with Varget. 25.1 gr, 7.7 twist, with a 80 amax @ 2910fps. On calm days its unbelievable how well it shoots at 600.

24" barrel?

 

[Geno C]

I am also at 25.0gr of Varget under a 80vld or amax. About 2930fps in a 30"

My shorty is running 25.5 under a 75amax I haven't chronoed this one

 

[BW]

24" barrel?

25"

 

[shoot4fun]

Guess I'm pushing it but I load straight 223 and 80 grain Berger VLD with 25.7 gr Varget. The best shooting load for my 223AI is 28.5 RL15 and the 77/80 gr bullets. I also have used AA2520 in the 223AI with good success. It's a ball powder about the same burn as Varget. You can just utilize more of the AI case space with it. I've launched 80's at just over 3,000 from a 22" 1 in 8 barrel with AA2520.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Guess I'm pushing it but I load straight 223 and 80 grain Berger VLD with 25.7 gr Varget. The best shooting load for my 223AI is 28.5 RL15 and the 77/80 gr bullets. I also have used AA2520 in the 223AI with good success. It's a ball powder about the same burn as Varget. You can just utilize more of the AI case space with it. I've launched 80's at just over 3,000 from a 22" 1 in 8 barrel with AA2520.

You must have some serious freebore.

 

[MLC]

It was late when I started this post and my brain wasn't entirely clear, I'm only working with a 19 and a half inch barrel so many of the slower powders aren't going to give me the velocity that I need to match what I can achieve with 8208 XBR. I haven't chronograph my load with the 75 Amax but, according to come ups, I think I'm right around 2930 feet per second.

 

[stacy]

Re-15 is my favorite for the 223 ai Worked up to 26 grains with the 80s

I 2ND THIS FELLOWS !!!!!!!!

 

[mac86951]

I'd say take a look at h4895 as well. Works well for the 223 with 80gr.

 

[MLC]

This was the best 5 round group of the day.
24 grains 8208 XBR.
100 yards, Atlas and rear bag.
I loaded to a little over 25 and it seems like it's tightening again.
I'm hoping to hit a higher node before pressure.

 

[mac86951]

This was the best 5 round group of the day.
24 grains 8208 XBR.
100 yards, Atlas and rear bag.
I loaded to a little over 25 and it seems like it's tightening again.
I'm hoping to hit a higher node before pressure.

Hmmm, first shot not bad; but looks like you got some 30 cal crossfire.