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Offline PartsMan

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First Powder?
« on: October 09, 2007, 09:01:03 AM »
I am going to start reloading soon.
I have a 223 heavy barrel 1 in 9" twist, and 7mm-08 both in NEF Handi Rifles.

What powder should I buy first?
Is there one that would have a good chance working in both calibers?

The 223 shoots Winchester 55g ballistic silver tips very well.
The 7mm-08 does best with rem 140g core lokts but they only shoot 2moa.
I have not been able to try any other bullet weights in factory ammo.

I am more interested in accuracy than velocity and may even play with some reduced loads in the 223 later.
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Offline Graybeard

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2007, 09:22:32 AM »
Varget
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Offline stimpylu32

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2007, 11:57:14 AM »
partsman

Varget would be my first choice followed by IMR4895 and then Benchmark

stimpy
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Offline Swampman

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2007, 12:29:00 PM »
Varget
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Offline SingleShotShorty

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2007, 02:54:24 PM »
The 223 I would use W748 they are a natural match, I load 50 grain BT's  and get same hole groups, in fact I have an 18 shot group that is around 3/8".
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Offline jhalcott

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2007, 03:35:28 PM »
  WW 748 works in both the .223 and the 7-08 for me!
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Offline PartsMan

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2007, 03:54:39 AM »
Thanks guys.
Looks like I'll be getting some Varget.

I was thinking Varget or h4895 from the research I had done.
Is the IMR4895 better?
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Offline stimpylu32

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2007, 12:34:33 PM »
Partsman

I have used both H4895 and IMR4895 in my 223 handi and have found that the IMR gives me more consistency in speed also about 1/4" smaller groups using the same bullet , primer and cases .

Don't have a 7/08 to give you anything on it .

stmpy
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Offline ~Ace~

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2007, 12:58:52 PM »
My .223 likes IMR 4895 best but I have a Varget load that shoots Very well
My .243 likes Varget Best
My .308 likes Varget Best
My .270 likes IMR 4350 best, But I have a Varget load that shoots acceptable.

Moral of story.. I can stock up on Varget  ;D
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Offline PartsMan

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2007, 08:43:36 AM »
Thanks again guys.

They finally shipped my kit yesterday.
UPS should bring it Monday.
That means I can't play with it all weekend.
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Offline bluebayou

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2007, 07:26:00 PM »
It has already been said, but Varget. 

I use Varget in 223 with 60gr VMAX, but H4895 in 223 with 55 NBT.  I often read that Varget is best near max loads, but my 7-08 with only 37.5 gr of Varget is tackdriver with 160 Sierra bullet. 

You will have to suck it up and buy 2-3 types bullets and powders, same as with factory ammo.  I still have can and half of unused BLC-2 that I never found a good load with after 3 years. 

120 Hornady SP, 150 NBT, 160 Sierra GameKing all shoot very well from my 7-08 Remington. 

Oh, yeah, H4895 gives you the option of making youth loads down to 60% of start load too.  This is a nice option. 

Other advice would be to start with flatbase bullets.  They seem to be less finicky, but you do have to chamfer the brass. 
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Offline DDelle338

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #11 on: October 12, 2007, 05:32:36 AM »
Quote from: bluebayou on October 11, 2007, 07:26:00 PM
It has already been said, but Varget. 

I use Varget in 223 with 60gr VMAX, but H4895 in 223 with 55 NBT.  I often read that Varget is best near max loads, but my 7-08 with only 37.5 gr of Varget is tackdriver with 160 Sierra bullet. 

You will have to suck it up and buy 2-3 types bullets and powders, same as with factory ammo.  I still have can and half of unused BLC-2 that I never found a good load with after 3 years. 
120 Hornady SP, 150 NBT, 160 Sierra GameKing all shoot very well from my 7-08 Remington. 

Oh, yeah, H4895 gives you the option of making youth loads down to 60% of start load too.  This is a nice option. 

Other advice would be to start with flatbase bullets.  They seem to be less finicky, but you do have to chamfer the brass. 
  If you shoot lighter bullets (40-45gr), try the BLC-2 for that. It shoots great in my .223. If you don't want to use it FAX it to ME I'll use it. 8)
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Offline warrior1

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #12 on: October 12, 2007, 06:00:30 PM »
the only thing i can add is look at your manual,that 4895 shows up for a good number of calibers,plus you just might be able to pick surplus powder for cheap. oh the other advantage is it does pretty well in the calibers you mentioned.dan
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Offline PartsMan

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #13 on: October 15, 2007, 04:45:11 AM »
223 is 1 in 9" so I don't plan on shooting light bullets. It shoots some 55g factory very well.
I may play with some heavier bullets though.
UPS has my kit out for delivery!!

I have not gotten a manual yet though.
All the good ones are sold out around here. Plus I am waiting to buy primers, bullets, and the powder until I get a manual.
Taking off Thursday for a long weekend out of state so even if I get some loads made up may not get to shoot until next week.
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Offline bub524

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #14 on: October 15, 2007, 07:30:05 AM »
I have 3 .223s and they all shoot Varget. the best is 3/8" at 100yds. and the worst of the bunch shoots 3/4"at 100yds. Good powder.
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Offline cattleskinner

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #15 on: October 15, 2007, 07:54:09 AM »
The load that I used when I had a SS Handi .223 was.........

27.3gr. Varget
50 V-max
CCI BR-4 primers
Lake City brass
OAL was 2.3" if I remember correct

Would consistantly shoot under .75" groups for 5 shots, and had a few under .5" for 5 at 100yds., I don't know how fast it was going since I don't have a chrony, but it knocked the stuffing out of groundhogs out past 300yds. easily.

~Amos
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Offline PartsMan

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Re: First Powder?
« Reply #16 on: October 15, 2007, 09:00:43 AM »
I GOT MY LEE ANNIVERSARY KIT IN!!
I'm going to look for a reloading manual again tonight.
The ones I would want have been sold out.
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