N133 + 53gr Vmax Nato or 223 loads

[BobbyJ]

I found a pound of this in stock so thought I would give it a try. I found .223 load data from Vihtavuori
22.8 to 24.7 grs. Nothing on Nato loads though.

Curious on what load people that have used N133 + 53gr VMax in 223 are using and what velocities.

So far I've tried CFE 223 and X-Terminator with good results, this will be my first stick powder for 223.

The Factory 53gr shoots around 3360 fps from my 24" AR . I'm hoping for around 3300 fps. Will of course start lower.

 

[jepp2]

Curious on what load people that have used N133 + 53gr VMax in 223 are using and what velocities.

I shoot 52 gr Bergers, but pretty close. This is a load I shoot in my AR to give you an idea.

 

[BobbyJ]

I shoot 52 gr Bergers, but pretty close. This is a load I shoot in my AR to give you an idea.
View attachment 1365097

Some nice shooting there. You use a bipod bags or lead sled? What power scope? Just curious as the most important part is taking the shooter out of the equation. Then you know that flier was a real one not due to you moving during the shots.

Did you ladder up any higher? Max is 24.7gr for 223 probably 25.x for Nato chambers.
23.1gr looks good maybe 23.5 is hole in a hole group.

 

[jepp2]

You use a bipod bags or lead sled?

Thanks. This was shot from a bench with a Bald Eagle front rest and a rear bag. I find the Bergers always seem to shoot the best for me. And I shoot other good bullets against them, just not so much Hornadys. I do use the ZMAX for prairie dogs and get accuracy consistent with what the rifle is capable of.

Right now that rifle has a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 on it. I just really like the clarity at max power that scope offers.

Did you ladder up any higher?

Without digging through my records I can't say the highest I have been with N 133, but I did find this.

 

[Bronsin]

24.2-24.6 worked well for me, and there may have been more in it. I found a couple good loads and stopped there.

 

[chkunz]

I shoot 53 SMK with 23.5 grains of N133 in a 20 inch WOA 1:8 match barrel in 100 yard NRA reduced course matches and they group well for that application. This is the Sierra Manual accuracy load for that bullet. This may translate to your application with the V MAX.

 

[BobbyJ]

Thanks. This was shot from a bench with a Bald Eagle front rest and a rear bag. I find the Bergers always seem to shoot the best for me. And I shoot other good bullets against them, just not so much Hornadys. I do use the ZMAX for prairie dogs and get accuracy consistent with what the rifle is capable of.

Right now that rifle has a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 on it. I just really like the clarity at max power that scope offers.

Without digging through my records I can't say the highest I have been with N 133, but I did find this.
View attachment 1365099

Good notes, I still like paper even though all my data is chrono to phone database now.

So no pressure signs at 25gr with 223 chamber. Quickload has that at around 59482 psi. But Quickload is weakest at getting pressures correct so I take it with a grain of salt. I'll do a similar ladder 23.5-24.7 with the 53gr. Was that out of a 22 or 24" barrel im guessing 24" 1/12.

 

[BobbyJ]

24.2-24.6 worked well for me, and there may have been more in it. I found a couple good loads and stopped there.

Thats probably around were I will load it too. So far CFE and X-terminator shoot great. I think I just got one of those barrels that can shoot anything sub MOA. I have a sled now, one of the two ranges I use has horrible tables basically wobbly and difficult to get a bag on the rear of the scope So free handing it which is not good for loads.

Wonder if n133 can do 36gr varminator well. I've got those 40 and 50 vmax yet to try.

 

[jepp2]

So no pressure signs at 25gr with 223 chamber.

Not in my rifle with the powder lot I was using. And I tend to not shoot hot loads that loosen primer pockets for cause other signs of pressure. In another rifle I have been shooting Benchmark in, I'm running right at 3400 fps and those are near max loads. But the groups did open up at the 25 gr loading.

 

[Doom]

Nothing on Nato loads though.

You will not find any published loads for 5.56x45 NATO. The testing protocol and loads are a Military Standard and is much closer to the CIP (European) protocol and differs from SAAMI. The actual pressure levels are different but that is due to the placement of the the pressure test port between the three methods.

The 5.56x45 NATO is not the cartridge initially released by Remington or the 556 cartridge that was used in the M16 and M16A1. It is a cartridge developed by FN for NATO in the late 1970's and is a modification of the chamber of the 556/223 to allow for a longer bullet with a steel penetrator.

 

[BobbyJ]

I did find NATO loads.
5.56/Wyled - 62,000 psi
223 - 55,000 psi

Western Powders publishes both. They just test the pressures at 223 AND NATO pressures.

 

[COLT45SA]

So. in a bolt gun with a slow 1:12 twist barrel shooting bullets from 40gr to 55gr, what would you recommend for powder~?

 

[alf]

So. in a bolt gun with a slow 1:12 twist barrel shooting bullets from 40gr to 55gr, what would you recommend for powder~?

AA-2230.....

 

[COLT45SA]

AA-2230.....

Thanks for your response. With today's powder prices it's impossible to go out and buy several different powders just for trials. Once I found the most accurate the others would wind up never being used.
Do you have a favorite bullet for the AA-2230~? I don't get to shoot very often and would like to use the best suggestion right from the git-go~!

 

[dusterdave173]

I love N133 53 Vmax in my 223 --I get about 3150 with a lower node at 23.3 or so gives great es and tight groups

 

[alf]

Thanks for your response. With today's powder prices it's impossible to go out and buy several different powders just for trials. Once I found the most accurate the others would wind up never being used.
Do you have a favorite bullet for the AA-2230~? I don't get to shoot very often and would like to use the best suggestion right from the git-go~!

I have a half dozen prairie dog rifles, all loaded with AA-2230 and 40 grain Ballistic Tip.

I just built a new upper in a 12" twist, chambered in 223 Remington, and have 3 loads to choose from, 22 BT's, 52 Bergers, 53 Vmax, all fueled by 2230. The 53's shot under half MOA out to 400 yards.

On the flip side, I always play with VV-133 in my varmint guns, and it never comes out on top

 

[Carl S]

N133,Fed205s,lapua brass and 52grn Bergers shoot real tight groups in my 223 14T proof carbon barrel..consistently.

 

[JB10]

W-748

 

[Lefty2506]

You will not find any published loads for 5.56x45 NATO. The testing protocol and loads are a Military Standard and is much closer to the CIP (European) protocol and differs from SAAMI. The actual pressure levels are different but that is due to the placement of the the pressure test port between the three methods.

The 5.56x45 NATO is not the cartridge initially released by Remington or the 556 cartridge that was used in the M16 and M16A1. It is a cartridge developed by FN for NATO in the late 1970's and is a modification of the chamber of the 556/223 to allow for a longer bullet with a steel penetrator.

At One point VV had some 5.56 load data for N540. Not sure if they had it for other powders or not. Doesn't look like they still publish it.