Reloading 223 rifle

[Roobie]

G’Day from Down Under.
Looking for a bit of experienced wisdom!
Have simplex setup I have used for years reloading my old 303.25 using Winchester 760 powder. Have just purchased a Lee 1000 3 station press for 223 but have not started reloading with it yet but slowly working it out. I have Winchester small primers, Hornady EDL match 75gn projectiles and Bench Mark 8208 powder.
My problem is I can’t find any info on using the 75gn projectiles and how many gns of powder for my starting loads. Is there anyone that can help me out with a starting point.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Jager]

I believe your Benchmark 8208 is the same powder as IMR-8208 XBR?

You don't mention what rifle this is to be used in, but Hornady recommends 1-8" or faster twist for the 75 ELD. Hornady also notes that this bullet cannot be loaded to the typical 2.260 mag length for COAL... spec'ing instead a COAL of 2.390." You'll want to make sure you're not unexpectedly jammed at that COAL.

With those two things in mind, something on the order of 20.0 gr./IMR-8208 XBR should be a good starting point...




And you'll hit max somewhere around 22.6/IMR-8208 XBR...

 

[SShooterZ]

Is your Benchmark the same as our IMR 8208 powder? If so, take a look here: https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

 

[Roobie]

I believe your Benchmark 8208 is the same powder as IMR-8208 XBR?

You don't mention what rifle this is to be used in, but Hornady recommends 1-8" or faster twist for the 75 ELD. Hornady also notes that this bullet cannot be loaded to the typical 2.260 mag length for COAL... spec'ing instead a COAL of 2.390."

With those two things in mind, something on the order of 20.0 gr./IMR-8208 XBR should be a good starting point...

View attachment 1341296


And you'll hit max somewhere around 22.6/IMR-8208 XBR...

View attachment 1341294

Howa mini 1-8” twist!

 

[Homerange]

G’Day from Down Under.
Looking for a bit of experienced wisdom!
Have simplex setup I have used for years reloading my old 303.25 using Winchester 760 powder. Have just purchased a Lee 1000 3 station press for 223 but have not started reloading with it yet but slowly working it out. I have Winchester small primers, Hornady EDL match 75gn projectiles and Bench Mark 8208 powder.
My problem is I can’t find any info on using the 75gn projectiles and how many gns of powder for my starting loads. Is there anyone that can help me out with a starting point.
Thanks in advance.

Also from downunder where 8208 is made across the ditch at ADI.....enough info on their website to get you started:

Data – Rifle

Whenever practicable, avoid loading to maximum possible velocity. Safety Data Sheets include all information relating to product composition, safety, handling and storage.

www.adiworldclass.com.au

 

[ebb]

If you can get W748 that is the classic for 223.

 

[alphapygmy]

Just home from a range trip with my new 223. Savage 10 with 20" barrel, Wylde chamber, 75gr Amax and IMR-8208 XBR. I started pretty low at 21.0gr as 8208 is a completely new powder to me. I worked up to 22.2 going 2600fps, not even close to max . Only 3 shot groups while still breaking things in but no group over .75 and half the groups under .5" I figure not too bad for a first outing. With my setup and numbers Quickloads says a max charge of around 25gr. Hope this helps

 

[jelenko]

25 grains of 8208 and 75gr Amax is a HOT load.
IMR's reloading data says with a 75 gr bullet [doesn't specify which one], 22.7 grains produces ~ 54K psi.

 

[alphapygmy]

25 grains of 8208 and 75gr Amax is a HOT load.
IMR's reloading data says with a 75 gr bullet [doesn't specify which one], 22.7 grains produces ~ 54K psi.

IMR's data is for a 223 Rem. chamber using 75 JLK VLD with a Winchester case and COAL of 2.250. I'm running a Wylde chamber, Lapua brass which has greater capacity and my COAL is much longer at 2.470. I mention in my post with "my setup and my numbers" for Quickloads as it's predictive ability depends much on the accuracy of the data put in to it. With such a small case capacity I think it's wise to slowly work up and be aware of the subtle differences between the 223, Wylde, and 5.56 NATO chamberings.

 

[jelenko]

Right.
I run a Wylde chamber. 25 grains of 8208 behind a 75 grain bullet loaded as long as it can get would have really flat primers and nice ejector swipes in mine.
Like you say, slowly work up.

 

[Roobie]

Many thanks for the info guys, it gives me somewhere to start.

 

[MGYSGT]

Don't you live in the country that makes VARGET. Is it hard to get there? Varget @ 23.5 gives me little groups.

 

[karrarararararar]

If it's the same as 8208 xbr, 23.2-23.4 grains should should well

 

[Rob01]

The Hodgdon site has 75 and 8208 data. I load mine with 24.5grns but also load them long at 2.470” in my .223 Wylde chamber. 8208 is my favorite powder for this combo. I like it better than Varget.

 

[JB10]

If you can get W748 that is the classic for 223.

Hush..... dont tell anyone so we can find it when its in stock

 

[Big_Daddy]

I believe your Benchmark 8208 is the same powder as IMR-8208 XBR?

You don't mention what rifle this is to be used in, but Hornady recommends 1-8" or faster twist for the 75 ELD. Hornady also notes that this bullet cannot be loaded to the typical 2.260 mag length for COAL... spec'ing instead a COAL of 2.390." You'll want to make sure you're not unexpectedly jammed at that COAL.

With those two things in mind, something on the order of 20.0 gr./IMR-8208 XBR should be a good starting point...

View attachment 1341296


And you'll hit max somewhere around 22.6/IMR-8208 XBR...

View attachment 1341294

My eyes aren't good enough to read what ballistics program this is.
Would be so kind as to identify.

 

[Dgd6mm]

My eyes aren't good enough to read what ballistics program this is.
Would be so kind as to identify.

Quickload

 

[Big_Daddy]

Quickload

Thank you!

 

[Jager]

My eyes aren't good enough to read what ballistics program this is.
Would be so kind as to identify.

As Dgd6mm notes... the program is QuickLoad. The forum software scales the images down to fit the screen. If you'll click on one, it should render at a larger size on your computer. And if you right-click it, and save it directly to your computer, you can view it at full size. The images are ~2000 pixels wide, so are plenty big enough to review without squinting.

My eyes ain't what they used to be, either!

 

[Bocephus]

G’Day from Down Under.
Looking for a bit of experienced wisdom!
Have simplex setup I have used for years reloading my old 303.25 using Winchester 760 powder. Have just purchased a Lee 1000 3 station press for 223 but have not started reloading with it yet but slowly working it out. I have Winchester small primers, Hornady EDL match 75gn projectiles and Bench Mark 8208 powder.
My problem is I can’t find any info on using the 75gn projectiles and how many gns of powder for my starting loads. Is there anyone that can help me out with a starting point.
Thanks in advance.

Haven’t used either of the powders you have available, but will encourage you to hang tough with that bullet. I l’ve used the 75 Amax and now the ELD. Assuming proper twist, leade and loading/tuning techniques they usually perform very well w/Varget, RL15 or IMR4064, which appear to be very close to the burn rate of 8208.