Best Powders for 223 Based Benchrest Cartridge

[JDinFbg]

After 45 years of inactivity, I'm looking to drag my heavy varmint benchrest rifle out of storage and get back into benchrest competition. The cartridge is the wildcat 23-40 based on the 223 Remington cartridge. It is very similar to the 223 Ackley Improved, but slightly shorter total cartridge length and slightly longer neck. Back when I was actively shooting, I used W-748 powder driving 52 grain match bullets. This was partly due to the fact that I loaded between matches at the range, and the powder measure would throw a consistent charge of W-748 being that it was a ball powder. However, I know there have been major improvements in powders, with many now being temperature stable and yielding small velocity deviations from shot to shot. W-748 is not a temp stable powder, so I'm wondering what my best powder options would now be for this cartridge. From online research, a lot of folks have mentioned Hodgdon Benchmark, Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H335, Hodgdon H4895, and Alliant Reloder 15. Right now, almost all powders seem impossible to find, but I'd like opinions of what powders might yield the best precision for this benchrest cartridge.

 

[PopCharlie]

The powders you list are good choices. You should also consider n133 and IMR 8208 XBR.
PopCharlie

 

[Rsadams]

After 45 years of inactivity, I'm looking to drag my heavy varmint benchrest rifle out of storage and get back into benchrest competition. The cartridge is the wildcat 23-40 based on the 223 Remington cartridge. It is very similar to the 223 Ackley Improved, but slightly shorter total cartridge length and slightly longer neck. Back when I was actively shooting, I used W-748 powder driving 52 grain match bullets. This was partly due to the fact that I loaded between matches at the range, and the powder measure would throw a consistent charge of W-748 being that it was a ball powder. However, I know there have been major improvements in powders, with many now being temperature stable and yielding small velocity deviations from shot to shot. W-748 is not a temp stable powder, so I'm wondering what my best powder options would now be for this cartridge. From online research, a lot of folks have mentioned Hodgdon Benchmark, Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H335, Hodgdon H4895, and Alliant Reloder 15. Right now, almost all powders seem impossible to find, but I'd like opinions of what powders might yield the best precision for this benchrest cartridge.

I think you nailed it with powder is soooo hard to find... You will have to tune with what you have...

 

[SecondsCount]

Benchmark and 8208XBR are my favorites for 223 and 223AI.

 

[pirate ammo]

Like he said ^^^^^^^. This week I'll be trying some Accurate 2230 with 55gr and 60gr Noslers.

 

[STOMP442]

I have three 223s and one 223 Ackley. I have tried numerous powders and combinations and I have yet to find anything that will out group IMR4064 and either a 52gr Berger or 55gr Blitzking. Its bulky and a pain to meter through the charge master but it just plain shoots.

 

[LHSmith]

Specify benchrest competition. Group, Score, registered, egg shoots, informal just for fun? BR of 45 years ago is a totally different game today. Yes, you may be hand tied as to what components are available. You only mention powders. You will also need to find good custom or semi-custom bullets, maybe new brass, and the un-obtainium primers.

 

[jk80]

I've had extremely good luck with 335 with lighter bullets and reloader 15 with heavier bullets.

 

[Big_Daddy]

Like he said ^^^^^^^. This week I'll be trying some Accurate 2230 with 55gr and 60gr Noslers.

AA2230 works well with my 53gr V-Max bullets....

 

[Ned Ludd]

Another vote for H322, here. It should work particularly well for the bullet weight you have chosen. H322 has been available periodically from various suppliers recently, so you may be able to find some. It does not seem to have quite the demand that some of the other powders you listed do.

 

[Longtrain]

Having shot a great deal of 223 and 223AI over many years. I used AA2460 for the 52-60 grainers and RE-15 for the 80’s. The 52 stuff was varmint and just fooling around ammo, very accurate from a powder measure. The RE-15 was weighted carefully and proved very accurate out to 300 yards.

 

[urbanrifleman]

AA2015 and LT32 (which are really the same powder).
R10x.
H322.

 

[Twicepop]

After 45 years of inactivity, I'm looking to drag my heavy varmint benchrest rifle out of storage and get back into benchrest competition. The cartridge is the wildcat 23-40 based on the 223 Remington cartridge. It is very similar to the 223 Ackley Improved, but slightly shorter total cartridge length and slightly longer neck. Back when I was actively shooting, I used W-748 powder driving 52 grain match bullets. This was partly due to the fact that I loaded between matches at the range, and the powder measure would throw a consistent charge of W-748 being that it was a ball powder. However, I know there have been major improvements in powders, with many now being temperature stable and yielding small velocity deviations from shot to shot. W-748 is not a temp stable powder, so I'm wondering what my best powder options would now be for this cartridge. From online research, a lot of folks have mentioned Hodgdon Benchmark, Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon H335, Hodgdon H4895, and Alliant Reloder 15. Right now, almost all powders seem impossible to find, but I'd like opinions of what powders might yield the best precision for this benchrest cartridge.

In your post you said this is a wildcat cartridge, the 23-40. Parker Ackley developed a few 23 caliber wildcats, is this one of these?

 

[JDinFbg]

In your post you said this is a wildcat cartridge, the 23-40. Parker Ackley developed a few 23 caliber wildcats, is this one of these?

I'm really not sure, but it could be. As I recall, the rifle was built by Shilen with a SS match grade barrel.