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

[fattybinz]

My gunsmith is close to finishing a custom 223 rem rifle and I'm looking for a powder that will work well for it. Specs:

Rifle: 28" CRB Barrel 7.5 twist, Bighorn Origin action, Triggertech special straight SS, TBAC Ultra 9, MDT XRS Chassis

Components: Starline brass, winchester small rifle primers, 75gr BTHP Match

I wanted to go with Varget, but I'm afraid I'm going to run into case capacity issues. I hear Starline brass has small capacity and I hate running into seating depth inconsistencies when loading compressed. This rifle is also going to be a pet project for my 9 year old boy and I...he is starting to enjoy loading with me, which I'm excited about and I hope it will be a good father-son hobby. So I'd like to keep it simple for him...would like to avoid drop tubes and vibrators and seating bullets through the "crunch" of compressed loads. I'd also obviously prefer a cheaper powder since I want to buy enough to last the life of the barrel all at once. I looked at R15 and was surprised at the cost (and availability). thanks, yall!

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Ramshot Tac or VV 140 for the cost factor, I would imagine.

 

[Nomad88]

I found a good load with staball Match, starline and 77 smk. I was using varget but wanted to load on my Dillon. Works great.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I'm using H4895 for 75 and 80 grain .223 loads. But I've bought VV135 to try. I also have VV140.
I'm using Starline 5.56 brass with the H4895 for my 600 yard f class rifle. I'm pretty confident I can get the VV powder to get me HM scores in that rifle.

 

[Jeff Porter]

H4895 and 8208 have been my go to powders for that bullet weight in .223. VV N135 is great with some heavier bullets for me. What twist is the barrel ?

 

[Walt Krafft]

VV140. 22 to 24.5 grains will work great for you.

 

[SeabeeKen]

A friends rifle loves N-135 with the 77 gr SMK

 

[SilhouetteShooter]

There are so many powders that will work, and the ones suggested will work well.
Here is another couple of choices , ARComp and SW precision. Of the two ARComp will work better with less case capacity

 

[dstoenner]

23.6 Varget loaded at 2.300. My barrel is 1:7

David

 

[expiper]

as stated 4895--Rx-15--140 etc,,,,,in the past the vita vouri powders were cost prohibitive,,,buttt NOW they have become the best value since Hodgdon and others have skyrocketed ,,,and the vita vouri powders are readily available now,,,,Roger

 

[jelenko]

I'm using VV135 and VV140 for the reasons mentioned above.

But, to keep it as simple as possible I'd go with Ramshot TAC, BLC2 or 2520 simply because they are all ball powders and measure consistently. They are currently priced similar to the VV powders.

 

[fattybinz]

H4895 and 8208 have been my go to powders for that bullet weight in .223. VV N135 is great with some heavier bullets for me. What twist is the barrel ?

Barrel is 7.5

 

[Rob01]

I have loaded 8208 and Varget in my 26” bolt gun I shoot in matches with 75 ELDs and both did great. I have some N135 and 140 waiting to try when the 8208 runs out. A buddy uses the N135 in his PRS Tac rifle with 75s so I figured I would try it also.

 

[Frankm]

All good advice above. If availability was no issue at all and you were willing to carefully single stage load I think H4895 is one I d sure look at. It’s done well in a number of 223 s for me. Varget and 8208 also great.

I m shooting TAC as I got a couple 8 lb ers right before things went crazy. I ve found between 23.5 and 24.5 grs is typically a good range to develop in.

 

[Doom]

My gunsmith is close to finishing a custom 223 rem rifle and I'm looking for a powder that will work well for it. Specs:

Rifle: 28" CRB Barrel, Bighorn Origin action, Triggertech special straight SS, TBAC Ultra 9, MDT XRS Chassis

Components: Starline brass, winchester small rifle primers, 75gr BTHP Match

I wanted to go with Varget, but I'm afraid I'm going to run into case capacity issues. I hear Starline brass has small capacity and I hate running into seating depth inconsistencies when loading compressed. This rifle is also going to be a pet project for my 9 year old boy and I...he is starting to enjoy loading with me, which I'm excited about and I hope it will be a good father-son hobby. So I'd like to keep it simple for him...would like to avoid drop tubes and vibrators and seating bullets through the "crunch" of compressed loads. I'd also obviously prefer a cheaper powder since I want to buy enough to last the life of the barrel all at once. I looked at R15 and was surprised at the cost (and availability). thanks, yall!

You put a couple of requirements in your post but you haven't given much info on what the rifle will be used for. Obviously you've put together an excellent rifle but I'm puzzled by the bullet selection and intended use. Is velocity going to be a primary concern for the distances intended to be shot? Is precision the primary goal?

 

[markm87]

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

 

[fattybinz]

You put a couple of requirements in your post but you haven't given much info on what the rifle will be used for. Obviously you've put together an excellent rifle but I'm puzzled by the bullet selection and intended use. Is velocity going to be a primary concern for the distances intended to be shot? Is precision the primary goal?

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.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Sierra gives N-140 as their accuracy load on the 77’s, for whatever that’s worth.

 

[fattybinz]

Sierra gives N-140 as their accuracy load on the 77’s, for whatever that’s worth.

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

 

[Kracken McGraw]

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

View attachment 1637974

They had 22 grains of N-140 listed for the accuracy load and 2550 fps for the 77 grain bullet.
I use Xterminator for lighter bullets and it measures wonderful through a powder measure, I bet Tac would be the same.