N133 Powder For 52 Grain 223’s?

[Timon]

I’ve seen a number of discussions about short range benchrest shooters using N133 for lightweight bullets. I also read that it burns really hot and is very hard on a barrel. Was wondering if anyone has used it on lightweight bullets and did it cause rapid barrel erosion?

I’ve been using Benchmark for a number of years now and it has been very good, but I would like to experiment with some other powders. I’d like to try H322 also, but I can’t seem to find any right now.

Thanks so much.

Scott

 

[Bronsin]

I used it in .223 with 55gr bullets. Used 24.2-24.6grs and it shot great. Cleanest burning powder also. No problems at all with barrel erosion.

 

[jepp2]

Was wondering if anyone has used it on lightweight bullets and did it cause rapid barrel erosion?

My most accurate powder with most of my .204 and .224 bullets. Personally I believe more things cause barrel erosion than the powder selection. And barrels are a consumable anyway. Just like tires on your car.

 

[Doom]

I tried N135 with 52 gr Berger Target and have been pleased. In Lapua brass it gives better case fill. I would love to try N133.

I have N135 because I load both 223, 308, and 30-06 (Garand) so I was looking for a proper that could go between all 3.

 

[Laurie]

N133 is ideally suited to the 223 with 52/53s. Can't comment on MVs as my days with a 12-twist barrel 223 Rem 700VS were back before chronographs became affordable and widely available. It's not at all hard on barrels and its specific energy is actually relatively low - way below that of H4895 for instance. BR shooters run some seriously high pressures in the 6PPC, and get their shots off VERY quickly, neither practice ideal for barrel life.

https://www.vihtavuori.com/powders/n100-powders/

Nowadays, I use it in 6.5 Grendel with 120/123s.

 

[chkunz]

Here is the summary from a report I wrote in 2018:

Summary

​

Testing was conducted using the .223REM cartridge with the 53 Sierra Match King (SMK) bullet and N133 powder fired in a AR15 Match Rifle with a 1:8 twist, 20 inch barrel; built for NRA 100 yard reduced course High Power Rifle competition. Since 2013, I have been using the 77 SMK short range pet load from Reference 1 for this application. However, in late 2017, I decided to test the 53 SMK based on the success that John Feamster had in the 1990s, with the AR15 platform, at 200 yards, with lighter bullets (published in Precision Shooting Magazine and Feamster’s book on the subject). I chose N133 powder for this test based on the Sierra “Accuracy Load” for this bullet.

I shot ten shot groups at 100 yards from bench rest smaller than the 0.75 inch X ring on the reduced course target.

 

[JackWagon]

N133 is like pixie dust in both of my bolt guns using both 52 and 53gr SMK's. I'm right at 25.3 using Lapua brass.

 

[Doug Casner]

Been my luck, n133 will shrink groups in any cartridge. Doug

 

[whatsupdoc]

N133 was designed for the 223 I have used if from 60gr to 75gr bullets
and it gives me the lowest ES of any other powder I have used in the 223.

While it does not provide the fastest velocity for the 70-75 gr bullets
it has been super accurate and consistent.

It also runs well in my 222 also.

 

[Timon]

Thanks so very much everyone for your replies. Sounds like something I’m going to have to try.

Just one thing I left out. Does it meter well? I think it’s an extruded powder.

 

[jamesdmock]

I’ve seen a number of discussions about short range benchrest shooters using N133 for lightweight bullets. I also read that it burns really hot and is very hard on a barrel. Was wondering if anyone has used it on lightweight bullets and did it cause rapid barrel erosion?

I’ve been using Benchmark for a number of years now and it has been very good, but I would like to experiment with some other powders. I’d like to try H322 also, but I can’t seem to find any right now.

Thanks so much.

Scott

I have shot MANY prairie dogs with .223/25.1 gr. N133 and 50 to 52 gr. frangible bullets. PS- this is with several rifles w/ 12 to 14 twist barrels.

 

[Timon]

Here is the summary from a report I wrote in 2018:

Summary

​

Testing was conducted using the .223REM cartridge with the 53 Sierra Match King (SMK) bullet and N133 powder fired in a AR15 Match Rifle with a 1:8 twist, 20 inch barrel; built for NRA 100 yard reduced course High Power Rifle competition. Since 2013, I have been using the 77 SMK short range pet load from Reference 1 for this application. However, in late 2017, I decided to test the 53 SMK based on the success that John Feamster had in the 1990s, with the AR15 platform, at 200 yards, with lighter bullets (published in Precision Shooting Magazine and Feamster’s book on the subject). I chose N133 powder for this test based on the Sierra “Accuracy Load” for this bullet.

I shot ten shot groups at 100 yards from bench rest smaller than the 0.75 inch X ring on the reduced course target.

Thanks so much

 

[dusterdave173]

I LOVE N133 in my 223 bolt guns---It is like magic --I have developed a beautiful 40g Vmax load that runs 3700 plus from a 26 in and I get single digit spreads all the time --I can't always do like picture attached but can get darn close --It seems to shoot best groups with lower charge weights for me--YMMV 53Vmax with 23.3 g N133 is my favorite load ever

 

[searcher]

I'd not worry about claims of faster barrel wear. N133 has been tried in a lot of .223's I own and it was rare (O.K. never) the best accuracy powder in any of them (12+ rifles + more tubes). I'd give it a go and see how your rifle likes it. I can tell you that W748 is a cool burning powder - but it is also very hit and miss with 50-52's. I go straight to Reloader 7, accurate LT-32 and IMR 8208XBR when working up loads for that bullet weight. They cover a good difference in burn rate and every rifle liked at least one of them above all others. Occasionally TAC or another powder was the best overall by a very slim margin- but those three are where I start. The TAC, Accurate LT-32 and W748 meter the best of those I mention, though all meter pretty good. The 8208 XBR perhaps the most coarse. As for barrel wear with each of them - I can't say. I do have one rig that has shot nothing but W748 with 52's since new and 6,000+ rounds still very accurate. I change bullets based on what I have a lot of - so every few years I do load development to suit the new bullet - so hard to say which powder was best on erosion. If you know anyone who has some pulldown military powder - give that a try as well. Also note that I don't load for the heavier bullets with any of these powders. Good luck.

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

I LOVE N133 in my 223 bolt guns---It is like magic --I have developed a beautiful 40g Vmax load that runs 3700 plus from a 26 in and I get single digit spreads all the time --I can't always do like picture attached but can get darn close --It seems to shoot best groups with lower charge weights for me--YMMV 53Vmax with 23.3 g N133 is my favorite load ever

mine loves being pushed hard.

factory remington 700 vls (26” barrel)

26.0 grains n133 for 3,550 fps with a 53 vmax in lapua brass/cci400

no pressure signs in my gun, but I know this is stout and should be worked up to in your rifle like any other load

 

[pirate ammo]

Sounds like something to try in my swift, 28in/14 twist.

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

Sounds like something to try in my swift, 28in/14 twist.

burn rate is too fast for that powder capacity

 

[padom]

I haven't shot it in my 223 bolt guns as I shoot 75-80gr bullets in those. But N133/52smk are lights out in my 20" 223 Wylde WOA Bartlein AR

 

[skeeljc]

I use N233 in my .223 and .222. Great stuff. It has an additive to reduce (eliminate) copper fouling. It is my go to powder for 52 grain FB target bullets.

 

[Timon]

I'd not worry about claims of faster barrel wear. N133 has been tried in a lot of .223's I own and it was rare (O.K. never) the best accuracy powder in any of them (12+ rifles + more tubes). I'd give it a go and see how your rifle likes it. I can tell you that W748 is a cool burning powder - but it is also very hit and miss with 50-52's. I go straight to Reloader 7, accurate LT-32 and IMR 8208XBR when working up loads for that bullet weight. They cover a good difference in burn rate and every rifle liked at least one of them above all others. Occasionally TAC or another powder was the best overall by a very slim margin- but those three are where I start. The TAC, Accurate LT-32 and W748 meter the best of those I mention, though all meter pretty good. The 8208 XBR perhaps the most coarse. As for barrel wear with each of them - I can't say. I do have one rig that has shot nothing but W748 with 52's since new and 6,000+ rounds still very accurate. I change bullets based on what I have a lot of - so every few years I do load development to suit the new bullet - so hard to say which powder was best on erosion. If you know anyone who has some pulldown military powder - give that a try as well. Also note that I don't load for the heavier bullets with any of these powders. Good luck.

Thanks so much, appreciate all the advice. I’m trying to find some local, so that I can grab a pound and do some testing with it.