Powders for 223 light bullets and slow twist

[Doom]

I have been using 8208XBR for at least 8 years(?) for 53 and 55 gr bullets in a Rem 700 varmint (12 twist). I originally started with H335 but found about temperature sensitivity here in the South! I am looking for a alternate powder that is not ADI sourced since these seems to be prime candidates for scarcity. Most shooting is 300yds or less. My preference is to avoid ball powders if possible.

For IMR it looks like 4198 and 3031 are probably the prime candidates, and maybe 4166. I would appreciate any comments on these powders.

 

[Ggmac]

H4198 rel 7 accurate 2200 2300 win 748

 

[K22]

I've been shooting 12" twist 223 Rem's for about 30 years now in various rifles using 50 and 55 grain bullets. Also, all my shooting with the 223 Rem has been under 300 yards.

Powders that have worked exceptionally well for me are: H4895, IMR 4895, Benchmark, Varget, and H335.

Like you I've moved away from H335 because I hunt all year around and I had some pressure surge issues in the hot summers months hunting ground hogs. However H335 is capable of very accurate loads with the 55 grain bullets in my experience but I had to adjust the load for large temperature variations something I'd rather not deal with.

I don't see why IMR 3031 wouldn't work since it has the same relative load density of the aforementioned powders and is listed in a number of reloading manuals for the 223 Rem. If fact, I've been considering trying some since the others that I normally use are difficult to find at this time but there is an abundance of IMR 3031 in my area. I'd be interested in hearing from those who have tried it.

I never used Reloader 7 but it should work too since it's listed in several reloading manuals for the 223 Rem.

My only experience with IMR 4198 was with the 222 Rem and it shot exceptionally well in that cartridge but I've never used in the 223 Rem.

I don't know anything about 4166.

 

[Andy Legg]

This past Friday, I tried the Shooters World Tactical with a 62 Grain Solid Copper OTM (USMC MK318 MOD 1 aka T556TBN1NL) bullet for the 1st time. Note: This projectile (BC=.291) measures 0.940" and contains no lead...it's almost as long as a 69 grain SMK.

I Worked up the load at 100 yards starting at 24.5 Grains up to 25.5 Grains. the 24.7-25.5 loads all produced 6 shot groups with SD's of 12 or 13 fps (using a Magneto Speed). I then removed the Magneto Speed and fired a 9 shot group(25.0 grains SW Tactical) that produced a group right a 1" including the one flier....minus the flier it would have been an 3/4" 8 shot group. Pretty much the some of the best my 18" 1/8 twist AR15 has produced.

The next day I was at a 600 yard range and had the six remaining 25.0 grain loads with me. After warming the barrel up with my usual 77 SMK 8208XBR's(23.4 Grains @ 2.260" COAL) load....I fired a three shot group with the Shooters World Tactical 62 OTM's that measured less than 4". After shooting a 600 yard mid range prone club match...I fired the last 3 of the new 62 grain Shooters World's that I had loaded and that resulted in a 3.5"-3.75" group(gain at 600 yards).

Long Story Short....I will be shooting my next 600 yard prone match using the 25.0 grain load of Shooters World Tactical with the 62 grain OTM pills @ 2.230" COAL. I also use the Federal GMM205M primers with Lake City Brass. In 90* heat with a 96* Barrel Temp at sea level this produced a muzzle velocity of 2972 fps with a S/D of 12 fps.

I was having some trouble finding my go-to 8208XBR...so I decided to give the Shooters World Tactical a try. I have also tried the Shooters World Match with some 77's & 80 grain SMK's. I won't bore you with the details...but the results were less than I had hoped for (I shot the 60 shot club match with it).

Good Luck

Nevermind...I just plugged in the 1/12 twist on stability calculator...62 grain would be a no-go. But the Shooters World Tactical looks to be a good substitute for the 8208XBR.

 

[PopCharlie]

I shot n133 with 52 gr Berger FB. 205m primers. Rem 700 VS in .223.

PopCharlie

 

[searcher]

Accurate LT32, Reloader 7, H4198, W748

 

[Texas10]

I use IMR 3031 to great success with 52 and 53 gr bullets. Easy to find, cheap, drills very small groups. What's not to like?

 

[Just Say Moe]

50grain - Ramshot Exterminator

 

[Richard Jones]

N133, Benchmark, AA2015 w/52 Cheek or BIBs, 12tw

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Benchmark and 53 gr vmax my pd load.

 

[tmwinds]

I shot n133 with 52 gr Berger FB. 205m primers. Rem 700 VS in .223.

PopCharlie

Same here in a CZ-527 with a 9 twist.

 

[david12601]

N540

 

[Intheshop]

Getting bragging groups @100 with IMR4198 in 223 using the classic 222 loads(around 19g). Slow twist R700's shooting 55g cast.

 

[F224]

Good old WW 748 will work just fine.

 

[Hohn]

I’ve always been told to start with H322 and H4198. Lt-32, benchmark, 2230, RL7 also make the cut.

 

[linedrive301ft]

3031 shoots in my 223 and 6BR. 53 gn. V-Max in 223 and 75 gn. V-Max in 6 BR

 

[dolek]

I’ve always been told to start with H322 and H4198. Lt-32, benchmark, 2230, RL7 also make the cut.

Which one shoots the best for you ? What weight bullet ?

 

[Hohn]

Which one shoots the best for you ? What weight bullet ?

Just passing on advice I’ve received, I don’t shoot light bullets in .223 much, and when I do I’m using 8208 or AR comp and pleased with both even if they are a bit slow for the 50s-class bullets.

 

[TIMMY]

I’ve always been told to start with H322 and H4198. Lt-32, benchmark, 2230, RL7 also make the cut.

Agree H322 works great for me.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

TAC or 748