40g noslers 224 powder choice

[jepp2]

I need to do load work up on the 223 with some 40g nosler BT that I have lots of.
My powders I have are
Cfe223

I bought a used Cooper 223AI. Asked the seller what worked for him. He said 40 gr Nosler BT with CFE 223. I would have never picked that slow of powder for that rifle, but I tried them. I was never able to come up with a more accurate load for it. Shot tiny groups for me, showed me I don't know squat about burn rate selection.

 

[RegionRat]

In the 204 Ruger, Reloader 10X is worth a look too, and it has been available lately.

 

[Fern]

Thanks for all the advice I forgot to mention this is for my tikka varmint that has a 1-8 barrel. Wondering and hoping I can get them to group

 

[Hotshot]

I've had a bunch of fun in prairie dog towns over the years with 50 and 55grain bullets in several different 223's.

 

[DiRTY DOG]

So I am going to visit some of my wife’s family in may and may have chance to help with some p dogs.
I want to take my 204 cz Kevlar and my tikka T3 varmint in 223.
I need to do load work up on the 223 with some 40g nosler BT that I have lots of.
My powders I have are
Cfe223
Varget
Ram shot xterminator
Pull down h335 (wc something )
And some 8208 I just got on a trade.
Suggestions on which powder to start with?
My 204 I have a load with cfe223 but might see if I can find something with 8208 that I didn’t have before

26.2gr 8208xbr shoots amazing with 40gr bullets. Try that first.

26.5gr H335 also shoots well but is not temp stable.

 

[603Country]

I use H335 behind the 40 gr Nosler BTs in my 9 twist 223 and 8 twist AR. Also would not hesitate to use A2230, which gave great accuracy with a couple other bullets. I never had issues with temp stability using H335, but I don’t load near max and rarely hunt when it’s 105 degrees.

 

[Fern]

You may have a problem with the 40’s if your Tikka is an 8 twist. Get to working on loads now in case you need to bump up to heavier bullets.

I have a bunch of these so really hoping to find a something that works.
I’m saving the 50s for 22-250

 

[drover]

You may have a problem with the 40’s if your Tikka is an 8 twist. Get to working on loads now in case you need to bump up to heavier bullets.

Odd, my 8 twist Tikka T3 sporter loves the 40's, both the Nosler BT and V-Max. It is rare to shoot a 5 shot group larger than 1/2" with either of those bullets. I primarily use 26.3 gr of VV-133 with them, it is at the upper end of the load manual but they sure work great in mine.

drover

 

[Ackman]

If you can get some VV133, it's good stuff and perfect with 40's, also 50's in the .223. My .223 truck gun is 20" lomg, the load is 27.5/vv133/40gr, velocity 3895. Shoots nice little 3/8" cloverleafs when I do check zero. Thing about VV133 (also 135) is that it burns a lot cooler than many others.

 

[1lessdog]

 

[White Eagle]

I like the cfe-223 powder I use it in al lot of different cals

 

[Fern]

I had some test rounds loaded with imr 4198 and worked up to max listed in noslers site.
I shot this group and grouped best at lower charges.
I shot this group but I labeled it as 23g charge when I believe it was in fact the lowest charge of 21g as the avg velocity was 3,374
This is a 5 shot group at 100 yards. Dot is 1”
I might crack open the xterminator powder to try next to see if I can get find a load that’s faster yet accurate

 

[dusterdave173]

VV 133
Once you try it you will be a convert
Clean shooting--you can get crazy low ES
Starts really well on low to mid loads
I use 23.3 on a 53 Vmax --
I have been getting over 3700 with 40 Vmax low to medium load and wow factor consistant

 

[6MMsteve]

Alliant RE 10 RE 7 and power pro 2000 are good powders in the 223 and Pro Varmit

 

[rmeyerwy]

I shoot 204, 223, 22-250.
I think the 204 is just inherently accurate, I have tried many different powders, and they all shot well, Currently I load W748 and 32g Vmax, makes em Pop.
223 again different guns but CFE, 8208, tac and lately Imr4198 ( found a bunch of Sierra 40g Blitzkings at .15 each and the combo Imr4198 and the 40 SBK is deadly, 3640ish fps )
22-250 for Pdoggin, 40vmax and N135 ( have not yet worked a load for the 40g SBK )
the powders you listed, I would rate as
1-8208 ( can be hard to find at times ) but I have had great accuracy with it in all I have tested
2. CFE223- I got some ragged 1 holers to back that up and is usually easy to find
3. Varget- hard to beat, very well rounded powder works in many calibers
4-H335 good stuff but watch temps as said previously

No experience yet with xterminator but word is, its solid stuff.

 

[Fern]

I shoot 204, 223, 22-250.
I think the 204 is just inherently accurate, I have tried many different powders, and they all shot well, Currently I load W748 and 32g Vmax, makes em Pop.
223 again different guns but CFE, 8208, tac and lately Imr4198 ( found a bunch of Sierra 40g Blitzkings at .15 each and the combo Imr4198 and the 40 SBK is deadly, 3640ish fps )
22-250 for Pdoggin, 40vmax and N135 ( have not yet worked a load for the 40g SBK )
the powders you listed, I would rate as
1-8208 ( can be hard to find at times ) but I have had great accuracy with it in all I have tested
2. CFE223- I got some ragged 1 holers to back that up and is usually easy to find
3. Varget- hard to beat, very well rounded powder works in many calibers
4-H335 good stuff but watch temps as said previously

No experience yet with xterminator but word is, its solid stuff.

I think I got the same 40sbk you got this week.
I picked up the noslers couple years ago for about .05 a piece so bought a good amount
I shoot same calibers 204, 223, 22-250
Currently loading some 204 to try with 8208. My load for cfe and win brass with 205m primers was good but hoping 8208 can make it better

 

[searcher]

I'd focus on the Exterminator and the H335. If willing to add yet another powder, Accurate Lt32 seems to be made for those little 40's. If your 8208 powder is "IMR8208XBR", that will work fair with 40's, but is a tad slow in my experience. If it is the 8208 pull-down powder as was sold by Lester Bruno in the past - that stuff is the bomb!

 

[Fern]

I'd focus on the Exterminator and the H335. If willing to add yet another powder, Accurate Lt32 seems to be made for those little 40's. If your 8208 powder is "IMR8208XBR", that will work fair with 40's, but is a tad slow in my experience. If it is the 8208 pull-down powder as was sold by Lester Bruno in the past - that stuff is the bomb!

It’s 8208 xbr. I was not aware Lester had a different 8208.
Might have to talk about it with Jason at his store next time I’m there.
I pop in there about every other week even if I don’t find anything always good to talk with them

 

[sw282]

I've had a bunch of fun in prairie dog towns over the years with 50 and 55grain bullets in several different 223's.

My PD bud swears by 50s, 55s in 223. 0ur chosen max range is 300yds. He can make those dogs pop with his 50s, 55s. The extra velocity from my 40s cuts them in H A L F ! !

 

[Fern]

Well happy to report I think the xterminator was a winner with max book charge and had zero pressure signs. I even loaded a couple over max to see if I got signs and was good.
I have a cds scope on the rifle and might send in for my dial now that found a load.