Powder for 223 heavy bullets

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  • broom jockey
    Senior Member
    • Jan 2011
    • 331

    #1

    Powder for 223 heavy bullets

    What would be an appropriate powder for 60-72 grain bullets in .223, 16 inch barrel with 1in9 twist? I have heard you need a slower burn rate for these heavier bullets.
    Thanks in advance.
    Due to ammo shortages, no warning shot will be fired
  • PhillipM
    Very Senior Member - OFC
    • Aug 2009
    • 5937

    #2
    Varget, RL-15, CFE223, XBR2808, and quite a few others. Go here http://radomski.us/njhp/ and click reloading stuph [sic]
    Phillip McGregor (OFC)
    "I am neither a fire arms nor a ballistics expert, but I was a combat infantry officer in the Great War, and I absolutely know that the bullet from an infantry rifle has to be able to shoot through things." General Douglas MacArthur

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    • Hefights
      Senior Member
      • Dec 2009
      • 596

      #3
      1:9 may not be optimal for 69 and up, but many powders are accurate in .223, one of the easiest to reload accurately of any. I have used AA 2520, Varget, RL 15, and Win 748 with good accuracy in the heavier bullets. For the 69 Sierra and 68 Hornady, AA 2520 is optimal for my Bushmaster. For my Rock River heavy barrel, RL 15 and Varget have done well with the Sierra 77 and Hornady 75.

      Comment

      • Ltdave
        Senior Member
        • Feb 2010
        • 587

        #4
        sierra says 1:9 is NOT enough for their 77g SMK but hornady says 1:9 MIGHT work for their 75g HPBT...

        anything lighter than 75 should be FINE...

        Comment

        • joem
          Senior Member, Deceased
          • Aug 2009
          • 11835

          #5
          60 to 62 gr will work well in a 1/9 twist, at least in mine they do. For 69 gr and up a 1/7 twist should give better accuracy. For 69 gr I use AA 2230C in a Colt match target that has a 1/7 twist. Really poopy groups with 55 and 62 gr bullets.

          Comment

          • Former Cav
            Senior Member
            • Sep 2009
            • 2241

            #6
            sierra says 1:9 is NOT enough for their 77g SMK but hornady says 1:9 MIGHT work for their 75g HPBT...

            anything lighter than 75 should be FINE...
            I have personal experience with that. I HAD a 1 in 9 twist 20 inch barrel on my "service rifle" and sometimes the 75 grain Hornadys would work, and other times they were horrible. I bought a new upper with a 1 in 8 twist and sold the old upper to a guy who only shot commercial 55 grains stuff. My 1 in 8 twist will handle 77 and 80 grain Sierra Match kings (as well as hornady 75's). I use 24.5 grains of Varget, LC brass, and standard small rifle winchester brand primers and 77 grain bullets for hte 200, & 300 yard lines. Same load with 80 grain bullets for the 600 yard line.
            I've never had a problem. Remember... ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. My chamber and rifle are different then yours. Reduce loads 10 percent and work up.
            HTH
            Bob

            Comment

            • jjrothWA
              Senior Member
              • Aug 2009
              • 1148

              #7
              Using Win 748 under 68gr SMK for over the course [when I have made a match ] and have some early 80gr SMK with same powder. Won't give weights as your chamber MAYBE different from mine.

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