.223 loads

[borg1]

hi all,

I reloaded my first batch of .223 for my handi bull barrel.  I used IMR 3031, federal match primers, and Hornady 52 gr. HPBT bullets.  I started at 22 grains of powder in 10 rounds, and then 22.5, 23, 23.5 and 24 grains in ten rounds each.  I like this powder because of the loading density of this powder.  Now must try it for accuracy.

Anyone ever used this combination for their .223?  Curious about results...  Also, looking to buy other powders for this round. any suggestions, and what bullets go best with 'em!

[Longcruise]

looking to buy other powders for this round. any suggestions, and what bullets go best with 'em!

Ilike H322 for anything up to 55 grains and H335 & BLC-2 for anything up to 60 grains.  Also, IMR and H 4895 are amazingly adaptable to the .223.

Today i picked up a can of Hodgdon Benchmark for my next batch of .223 with 55 grain Hornady SPSX bullets.

[Fred M]

borg1
Varget produces the highest velocity with the lowest pressure with bullets from 40 to 55gr.

[223Shooter]

I shoot a .223 NEF Handi. I also handload all of my rounds. I started off with W-748 and H-335. Both great powders for a .223.  Then I tried BenchMark about 6 months ago.  Now Benchmark is the only powder I use in my .223. It is very clean and very accurate in my NEF.  I load/shoot only 55gr Horns and 55gr Noslers.

[Longcruise]

Now Benchmark is the only powder I use in my .223. It is very clean and very accurate in my NEF.

223shooter, that's very encouraging.  Am looking forward to trying the benchmark.  Hope it works as well for me as it does for you.

Varget produces the highest velocity with the lowest pressure with bullets from 40 to 55gr

The few loads I've tried with the Varget shot very well but my cases filled up long before I got much above starting loads.  Are you using a drop tube with the Varget?  I must add, that I did not chrono any of my Varget loads.  Even the lighter ones could have been stepping off smartly.

[safetysheriff]

I get excellent results with bulk-type bl-c(2) and Rem' or Win' brass, and either Rem' ( 7 1/2 BR) or Win' primers using Hornady spire points of 50, 55, and 60 gr's in full-density loads.     A faster ball powder is what I'd recommend for lighter bullets, however.     Even in the 50 gr' spire point load another powder might be better.    

The bulk-type bl-c(2) can be had at shows for under $9 per pound, if that matters to you.    To me, the cost is OK, but it's not a major factor.    It works that well even if it is bulk.    I'd pay more for it, in other words.

I've used IMR 3031, but it meters so poorly that I quit bothering with it.   It is, however, a very versatile powder.    

Good luck,

SS'

[bja105]

 

The bulk-type bl-c(2) can be had at shows for under $9 per pound, if that matters to you.    To me, the cost is OK, but it's not a major factor.    It works that well even if it is bulk.    I'd pay more for it, in other words.

I've used IMR 3031, but it meters so poorly that I quit bothering with it.   It is, however, a very versatile powder.    

Good luck,

SS'

Is bl-c2 extruded or ball?  How does it meter?  I'm going to the gun show for the first time this month, how do I find this beast?

Any other Ball powders recommended?  something I won't have to weigh every charge.

[mattparliament]

I've used 25 gr of IMR 3031 with 55 gr V-max 223s for years with great accuracy and reliability.  Great set up for varmints.  Good luck!

[safetysheriff]

bja105,

Wc-846 is the bulk form of bl-c(2).    It's a bargain here in NE' Ohio where I find it.    Hope you get a deal, too.     (Win'  748 is a somewhat faster form of medium speed ball/spherical powder. )  

It's a ball powder, pronounced as:  ball- c- two.    It's somewhat dirty, but it's a very energetic, easy-metering, slower form of a medium-speed powder.    It works well in .223 ,  .308 ,  .30-06 ,  and surprisingly well in the .22-250!    I can tell you that my buddy's .22-250 loves that stuff behind 60 gr' Hornady spire points at a decent load density.    It puts bullets "on top of each other" at 90 yds' where he shoots at his neighbors.      Bl-c(2) is NOT meant for the .270 or the .25-06.....since you did not specify what cartridge you want it for.    

One more thing: if this is going to be your first gun show -- get ready for hell, man!     :eek:      Handloading is only outdone by 'chasing momma', hunting, and drinking good wine!     It's an affliction for which there is no cure.    :shock:

SS'

[bja105]

Thanks Safety sheriff.  I am loading for 270, 308, 8x57, and 243.  Soon I'll be loading 223 and 222.  I'm using IMR 4350, H4831sc, h4895, Varget, and Win 760.  I'm fairly new to reloading, but I enjoy it so far.  I've always used IMR 4350 in my 270, but it meters poorly and I get sick of weighing and trickling.  I tried win 760, and was very pleased, after the first few rounds, I hardly weighed any.

The win 760 left a lot of powder fowling in my 8x57.  Is this common with all ball powders?


As far as the gun show, I don't know if I should take a big wad of money, or none at all.  I do have a mortgage to pay.  Thats why I haven't gone to the new West Virginia Cabelas, yet.  I do enough damage at the small shops.  But, the 243 and 222 are my wife's, so money I spend on them doesn't count , right?

[Nuttinbutchunks]

I too cast a vote for BLc-2, and H335 as well as 4895. lately though, I've used Varget, but I think I'll go back to BLC-2, or try Benchmark for the first time.

[safetysheriff]

'105

Are you familiar with the fact that there are two versions of the 8X57 Mauser?     They fire bullets of either .318" or .320" diameter, and have different working pressures developed for the two variants.     The model you have may not like the bullet(s)/loads you are using -- first of all.    

I don't know what else to say, except that I don't pay attention to such foreign things.......because our own .270, .280, .30-06, and .338 Win' mag' will cover all of North America's big and/or dangerous game very well.    

I will guess, however, that the relatively narrow shoulder area on this cartridge is part of its problem with powder fouling left in the barrel.    You just don't get enough turbulence with narrow shoulders and lower working pressures to effectively utilize some of the smokeless powders.    They like more constriction than this cartridge would seem to supply.
But, before there's any crying about it -- although I firmly believe what I've told you, it's mostly my opinion with which some others may not agree.  

Try a single-base powder with the Mauser, possibly starting with the H-4350SC (short-cut) to get better metering and less fouling.  

Good shooting to you,

SS'  

ps: I know I'm in over my head now; but I suggest you: pay down your bills; praise the Lord for your wife; and then praise Him, too, for being warm, fed, clothed, clean, and dry!      Many people are not........

[Longcruise]

The win 760 left a lot of powder fowling in my 8x57. Is this common with all ball powders?

Win ball powders such as 760 and 748 as well as other ball powders notably the Hodgdons such as BLC-2, and 335 need higher end chamber pressures in order to burn efficiently.

Most published data for the milsurp guns is pretty conservative what with the fear of blowing up an old or previously abused action.  Therefore, if you go to the ball powders in those calibers you are very likely loading at rather low pressures where those powders burn dirty and maybe even a bit erraticaly.  The slower the burn rate of a given ball powder the more noticeable the poor burning charachteristics become in reduced loads.

It seems that every powder manufacturer publishes load data for any powder that could even conceivably be used in a given cartridge.  end result is that many manuals contain data for powders that really are not all that suitable for a given cartridge.  Most cartridges are at their best with several powders with the rest not being worth fooling with.  Not all of them, mind you, there are some cartridges that shoot well with more than a few powders but even they can be loaded to their best behaviour with one or two powders for a given bullet weight.

With your 8X57 I'd suggest either of the 4895 or 4350 brands (4350 for the heavier bullets) or Hodgedon's Varget.  There are other good ones too, but those three will pretty much do it all.

Ok, so now we've gone from 223 loads to 8X57.

[Deadeye47]

[SafetySheriff] "It puts bullets "on top of each other" at 90 yds' where he shoots at his neighbors". :roll:   Know what ya mean about those neighbors...I got some I'd like to stack bullets into myself!! A good time would have been while they were putting up their Kerry signs across the street... :wink: