14 inch 223 loads using IMR 4227

[rickt300]

I have been using 14.5 grains of IMR 4227, a CCI 450 small rifle magnum primer under any weight bullet up to 60 grains for a long time.  I would like to know what the max charges for the different bullet weights might be. I think I am getting around 2400 fps using a 50 grain bullet.  I am getting very good accuracy and there is enough pressure to obturate the case using bullets as light as 45 grains. 

[rickt300]

I'm going to use the above load and the 50 gr. Sierra Hi velocity spitzer for my turkey load if I see any.  We are heading up to the lease for some hog hunting/turkey hunting this weekend.

[Hopalong7]

Hodgdon's web site does not list a load for the .223 with either IMR or Hodgdon 4227.  Sorry, Walt 

[offhand35]

You caught my interest re: IMR 4227.
I looked in the Speer Reloading Manual #11 [1987],  Sierra manual, 5th ed.  Lee's Modern Reloading, 2nd ed., and Ken Waters Pet loads, article from 1980.

NO loads using IMR 4227 in the 223 Rem

[Blackhawker]

Funny, I instantly clicked on this thread when I saw the comination of the words "14 inch", "223", and "IMR-4227" all in the same line.  I thought, "hey, what have I been missing?"  I guess nothing, everyone else seems to be confirming what I know....no .223 loads using IMR-4227. 

Just for kicks, I just took out my "Complete Reloading Manual for the T/C" and looked up all the loads under .223.  None show IMR or H 4227 for Hornaday, Nosler, Sierra, or Speer bullets.  The only place IMR-4227 shows up is under the Lyman bullets listing for cast bullets.  However, it is not shown for RCBS cast bullets. 

Sorry Rickt, unless you're using cast bullets, you'd better check your loads!

[Ken ONeill]

Personally, I consider the 4227's too fast burning for use in a .223, 14" or otherwise. It makes no sense to me when there are so many other great powders out there. I've used 748 for a bit over 30 years, but there are several good ones.

[rickt300]

Actually there is some data out there though it may seem a bit dated.  Speer used to list 4227 for their reduced loads in the #7 and #8 manuals.  But I found a lot of data in two older IMR Handloader's guides that I dug out of my collection of reloading books.  These old guides lists loads for ALL IMR powders with jacketed bullets for most cartridges.  I also found data using  4227 in the 223 Remington in the Hodgen's 25th edition manual though this book mentions H4227.  It appears my 14 inch barreled 223 is getting around 2200 fps with 14.5 grains of IMR4227 and if I wanted to I could go up to 17.0 grains or so and get 2900fps.  2200fps using a 50 gr. bullet will easily kill turkeys and the accuracy I am getting is very good.

[rickt300]

What makes good sense to me is milder muzzle blast, good accuracy and much less meat destruction.  If all I cared about was destroying small varmints then yes there are many better powders out there.  For my upper end loads I use IMR 4198, 3031 and AA2520.

[pozoutdoors]

My "Lee" manual has data for this.

45gr.    15.4-17.5
50gr.    15.3-17.5
55gr.    15.1-17.0

That is the only weights it has data for. So I would say your load is deffinetly safe up to a 60gr. bullet!!!!

[Blackhawker]

I just looked in my Lyman 49th edition load manual and even in the rifle section where there are literally hundereds of loads listed for the .223, there is no listing for IMR-4227 with jacketed bullets.  The only listing is under the cast bullets. 

Rickt300, if you're looking to shoot turkeys and keep muzzle velocity down and muzzle blast down, why not buy some cast bullets and use the data listed there.  Then, not only can you use IMR-4227, you can also use some good old standard powders like Unique or 2400.  The velocities listed for a 14 inch barrel using 50 to 55 grain bullets (cast) range from the high 1800 fps to the 2100 fps range.  I would think this would work perfectly for your goal.  Cast bullets typically have no muzzle blast at all.....just a nice cloud of smoke.  (Make you feel like an old time black powder hunter) 

Good luck with your loads!

[rickt300]

I flat don't like using cast bullets in small bore diameters and while there may not be a lot of data out there there is enough to put together perfectly good turkey loads.  I have used some cast bullets in my 22 hornet barrel but it is too easy just to use a 22 rimfire.  My hornet was very difficult to get cast bullets to work without some leading and accuracy was never as good as what I could get with jacketed.  Plus I have lots of jacketed bullets.

[Blackhawker]

Well, suit yourself and good luck in your search.

[rickt300]

The 22 caliber mold I had was a 55 grain spitzer design.  It was hard to cast good bullets with.  I will cast bullets for my 30 caliber and larger guns.  By the way the 14.5 gr. loading under the 50 gr. Sierra bullet is a tackdriver at 50 yards anyway. 3 shot groups of 3/8ths of an inch.