Powder choices for .223 with 75 grain A-Max

[40X Guy]

Looking for an accurate powder out of the box for use in fireforming my Lapua brass in my new .223AI 8 twist Brux barrel for shooting 75 A-Max bullets. Wanting a powder recommendation that will deliver as i am running out of time and want to fireform at one of our local groundhog matches. I am seeing H4895 mentioned alot, but was wanting some real world experience as i have never shot heavy bullets out of a .223 bolt rifle.

Frank

 

[jbpmidas]

I am loving Varget out of my regular .223 with 80 Amax's, but I have no experience with the AI's.

 

[40X Guy]

Thanks for the reply, I have heard Varget mentioned often also. What is your load data with 80's and have you chroneyed it?

Frank

 

[jbpmidas]

My rifle only!

24.8, Winchester prepped brass, Rem BR primers

2850, 5 shot average, ES under 20
going to try Wolf SR next

Rifle is a Savage LRPV, 26", 7 twist, factory barrel

 

[coues52]

I have a savage model 12 VLP 1-7...my load is 26.0 varget, prep winchester cases,fed 205 primer..2.470 coal...safe in MY gun..work up..chrono @ 3030... es 24 for 5 shots..have 6 loadings on my cases now... 11/4" 5 shot groups @ 300 yds..fairly common..~ Danny Disclaimer! again this works in my rifle...reduce and see what works in your rifle..YMMV..

 

[jbpmidas]

Danny, is that data for 75's or 80's? 3030 is SCREAMING!!!!

 

[40X Guy]

My rifle only!

24.8, Winchester prepped brass, Rem BR primers

2850, 5 shot average, ES under 20
going to try Wolf SR next

Rifle is a Savage LRPV, 26", 7 twist, factory barrel

jbpmidas, i am gonna run with the 24.8 or close to that of Varget with the 75's, freebore in my rifle is .100. Danny what bullet are you shooting in you .223?

Frank

 

[coues52]

Its for the 75 A max... after it was chono used it for shooting steel at 450..com-ups were right on...used the same chrono for my 6.5 x47 L w/123 amax (2890 vel) out to 636yds numbers ran good on the steel ( chrono # ran good)..but when the wind came up it pushed my 75 ,s with the 223 all over (missed wind calls @ 636 yds) .. elev was good..` Danny

 

[jbpmidas]

Work up to it! My rifle started flattening primers at 25.0. I will have to watch my load in the heat of the summer, but I think I'll be ok. Let us know how it goes!

JBM shows my 80 Amax load with 5" more drift at 600 than my 185 Hybrid load in .308 with 10mph full value wind. I'll really have to watch the wind better when I start shooting the .223!

 

[MrMajestic]

I have a savage model 12 VLP 1-7...my load is 26.0 varget, prep winchester cases,fed 205 primer..2.470 coal...safe in MY gun..work up..chrono @ 3030... es 24 for 5 shots..have 6 loadings on my cases now... 11/4" 5 shot groups @ 300 yds..fairly common..~ Danny

Danny I'm glad this is working for you but with the information you gave us you don't want to know what Quick Load says about it! You may want to add a disclaimer!

 

[bricktop]

I get about 3005 fps average with the Hornady 75 HPBT and Alliant 2000MR. It is a ball powder, I have heard that it is fairly temperature insensitive, but haven't done any testing with that yet. Charge is 27.6 grains, somewhat warm load, and it is compressed. With a longer throat and seated out farther it may not be for you. Always work up though.

Lapua case
CCI BR-4
Seated 1.875" Case-Ogive (about 8 thousandths short of jam)
24" barrel

 

[DukeDuke]

Alliant 2000MR and RL-15 give me almost 3100fps with 75 a-max in a stock 700 PSS

 

[40X Guy]

Thanks everyone, I loaded up 25 with Varget, and 25 with RL-15, will report back by end of week.

Frank

 

[mr.kirk]

I shoot that bullet in F-TR using H-4895 and have excellent results. If it's improved you could prolly use RL17, but they'll do over 3100 in a 6.5 twist 30" using 4895. Lapua brass (not Ackley) Br-4, and touching the lands. Mine was cut for 90 VLDs, so It's long to the lands

 

[vmaxpro]

I have a savage model 12 VLP 1-7...my load is 26.0 varget, prep winchester cases,fed 205 primer..2.470 coal...safe in MY gun..work up..chrono @ 3030... es 24 for 5 shots..have 6 loadings on my cases now... 11/4" 5 shot groups @ 300 yds..fairly common..~ Danny Disclaimer! again this works in my rifle...reduce and see what works in your rifle..YMMV..

Im also at 26.0gr varget/lapua/rem 7.5. My coal is 2.523. Through a 30" 1:7 Im at 3075fps and shoots well. Heres my last target

 

[DukeDuke]

Very nice!!!

 

[FroggyOne2]

I am using the 75 Amax, Lapua brass, wolf SRM primers and 24.0 grs of H4895. With a Rock Creek 7.2 twist 30 inch bbl, I am getting a V of 3125 fps out of my rifle.

 

[40X Guy]

Vmaxpro, looking good on your target, are you seating the 75 A-Max .020 off of lands?

Jazz, I am fireforming another 50 pieces of lapua brass and wanted to use the 75 A-Max as thats what my .223AI was set up for. The first 50 rounds I fireformed with almost boring accuracy with some Hornady 52 A-Max and RL-10X powder, so I figured i might as well fireform another 50 and use the load in a match or 2 to get 100 cases fireformed. It does look like Varget, H4895 are the go to powders for both standard .223 and AI versions,

Frank

 

[vmaxpro]

Yepper .020 off. My 300wsm with 208amaxes likes 20 off, now that I think of it the 52s shoot the same way!

 

[40X Guy]

Yepper .020 off. My 300wsm with 208amaxes likes 20 off, now that I think of it the 52s shoot the same way!

I shot the 52's @ a COAL of 2.250 out of the load manual and rifle loved them. Cases came out Ackleyized and looking pretty.

Frank