Best powder for 223 rem, 75gr BTHP Match, Starline

[Rob01]

It's tempting, but according to the below, v140 will give me even more case capacity issues than varget.

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That shouldn’t be a problem with a bolt gun as you can load the bullets longer. If you are worried then go N135.

 

[danny]

These threads are taxing. Every applicable powder will be brought up by the end.

Most people do the testing for their firearm, because what works for someone else might not be good for another, rather than looking for shortcuts.

Danny

 

[Rob01]

It’s good to get an idea of powders used and you can see the most used by people and gives you a place to start. Nothing wrong with these posts.

 

[DGP4]

Ramshot TAC has worked well for me in both a Remington 700 SPS and a Savage 110 Varmint. 69 and 77 grain SMKs shoot best for me.

 

[Shurefire]

23g Tac. 75. 2700fps out of a service rifle.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

23g Tac. 75. 2700fps out of a service rifle.

That’s 2435 rounds out of a 8# jug that cost $270-$300. Pretty economical.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Ditch the 75 gr bullets and go with Sierra 77 gr in front of 24.0 to 24.5 of Varget.

 

[Shurefire]

That’s 2435 rounds out of a 8# jug that cost $270-$300. Pretty economical.

I bought mine late 2023 I believe for $189. It was really economical then

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I bought mine late 2023 I believe for $189. It was really economical then

Isn’t that something on how fast it has changed.

 

[Rob01]

Why a lot of people switching to VV powders to save about $60-80/8 pounder.

 

[fattybinz]

Ditch the 75 gr bullets and go with Sierra 77 gr in front of 24.0 to 24.5 of Varget.

idk...that is tough. The SMKs 77s I can get for around .28 each, but I can get the hornady 75gr match for .18-19 each.

 

[Doom]

Sorry. Just going to be a fun long range rifle, for steel and the range. Chose 223 for the kid, since it should be no recoil with the weight and suppressor. I picked 75gr because of the low cost of those Hornady match bullets, and to have something heavier to hit steel as far as possible. Yes, precision is the primary goal.

Unless your long range is beyond much beyond 600 yds I would think that any of the recommend powders will suffice. With a 28" barrel you'll be getting an extra 100 fps so I wouldn't think case capacity will be a limitation. If you go beyond that point then another bullet would probably be in order. That particular bullet is not a 1000yd bullet.

 

[DGP4]

idk...that is tough. The SMKs 77s I can get for around .28 each, but I can get the hornady 75gr match for .18-19 each.

Unfortunately, when I tried the Hornady 75 grain bullets they were nowhere as accurate as the 69 or 77 SMKs. You can sometime find them on sale or overrun at Midway.

 

[Rob01]

If he is going to a different bullet the 75 ELD-M is a great choice. I shoot them in my match rifle to 1150 yards in matches and they are very accurate.

 

[jpjulian]

What are these case capacity issues you are worrying about? All of the powders mentioned will work fine in a bolt gun or an AR. Pick a powder. Load and go. I personally would prefer the Sierra 77 but many use the H75 and they fly fine. And the highest velocity doesn't mean you'll get the best accuracy, even at "long range".

 

[TonyinKY]

My opinion: You have a custom gun built. Inferior components in a custom gun can possibly provide equal accuracy than high end components in an off the shelf AR. I’d work up a load with great bullets and whatever powder works best and then see how much I actually shot the rifle.
“Only accurate rifles are interesting” Colonel Townsend Whelen.
FWIW- My nicer ARs will shoot that Hornady 75 BTHP best with H322.

 

[karrarararararar]

Case capacity with Starline 5.56 isn't an issue. Mine only measures .6gr less than LC. Also, don't fear the crunch. I heavily compress 25.2gr of Reloder 15.5 with 90's and get SD's around 10.

Buy n140, stick 24.5gr behind the 75, and run it

 

[KMW 1954]

Shot and loaded 223 for target competition 3 years. Shot many different powders and bullets over that time.

TAC made some very accurate loads, was economical and readily available. Only it was not very temperature stable. Almost needed a low temp load and a high temp load. Everyone's favorite Varget I struggled to find a load until I reached the very upper levels.

I finally settled on two powders, Benchmark and A2460. Never had the chance to try an VV powders though I do now have 2lbs of N135.

 

[Steve Donlon]

Been using IMR 4064 21.5 grs- 22.5grs. for 75gr. and 77 gr. More accurate than IMR 4895. I save that for the Sierra 69 gr.

 

[jelenko]

Why a lot of people switching to VV powders to save about $60-80/8 pounder.

Why not?