Hand Loading 223 powder question

Discussion about 5.56mm ARs

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Wanabgunsmith
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Hand Loading 223 powder question

Post by Wanabgunsmith »

I just recieved a 16" SS lw50 nitrided barrel mid length, medium heavy contour(2.2lbs I think if it were fluted it'd be perfect) from customar.net with a 1:8 twist, and polygonal rifling and most importantly, a 223 wylde chamber.
First expierence building an ar, have a nice hand load recipie for a 20" hbar colt
But I wanted to know what powder/bullet/primer/seating depth would possibly be optimum for this new 16" barrel. I usually use 68 gr hornadys but if id be better served with the 77gr smk I'd try those. Mainly need to know what powder would be optimum for 16" barrel 223 wylde under 68-77gr bullets(high preference to more temp stable powders)
Or should I just stick with good ole varget and eat the velocity loss
If I'm not in the right area, let me know and I'll repost. Thx 4 the help
tfbit
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Re: Hand Loading 223 powder question

Post by tfbit »

I'm liking Ramshot TAC for my 77gr MK262 clone load. It shoots 0.75 MOA out of my DD 1/7 twist 16" barrels. I also use W748 for 55gr hosing loads and H335 for 68gr MKs. Haven't gotten around to trying TAC with either of those bullets yet as I already had a crapload of W748 and H335 before I stocked up on TAC. TAC is supposed to be pretty temp insensitive, meters like water, and seems to be the velocity performer for .223/5.56 from looking at this:

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf
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TMD
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Re: Hand Loading 223 powder question

Post by TMD »

In my 10.5 SBR, 16" and 24" uppers Ramshot Tac outperforms just about every powder I've tried when it comes to 68gn and heavier bullets. Varget and CFE223 both come in a close second.
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r.tenorio671
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Re: Hand Loading 223 powder question

Post by r.tenorio671 »

...for the heavier bullets (68-77grn), you might want to give AR-Comp a try, gives higher velocity than W748 thru my ARP 16", 5R, .223 Wylde hybrid barrel. All of the powders suggested work well, can't go wrong with any of them. For my 55-62grn pills, I like W748
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steven11b
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Re: Hand Loading 223 powder question

Post by steven11b »

I have used varget, rl15, cfe223 and blc2 with a few different 5.56 AR's. I shoot 69gr Nosler CC and 75gr Hornady bthp with great results across the board from 16" to 18" barrels. But my best loads that are consistent in different temperatures and conditions while still giving good velocities without using max loads is RL15 and the Hornady 75gr bthp. I have used these loads out to 1k yards from a 18" barrel with 50% hits on a steel ipsc torso(has to be very low wind). And can achieve 100% hits out to 600 yards once I get on target. The 75gr is alot cheaper then the SMK offerings as well.
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JoeHarley13
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Re: Hand Loading 223 powder question

Post by JoeHarley13 »

Look at the new 69gr Sierra Tipped Matchkings. I'm running them with TAc and getting sub 1" groups at 100 yards no problem. Work up loads as they are longer than the regular MK, but have a fantastic BC.
Fatstrat06
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Re: Hand Loading 223 powder question

Post by Fatstrat06 »

I use 8208XBR

Very stable and very accurate
golfindia
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Re: Hand Loading 223 powder question

Post by golfindia »

WC844 or H335. If accuracy rather than velocity is the goal, IMR4198.

To each their own, but I wouldn't use anything heavier than 68g in a 1:8 223.

Consider a 25-45 sharps barrel.
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gunguy
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Re: Hand Loading 223 powder question

Post by gunguy »

I use both TAC and Benchmark for my ar loads, I like how consistent Benchmark flows through my powder feeder. Also you have to use more TAC to achieve the same velocity as Benchmark.
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DoubleJ
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Re: Hand Loading 223 powder question

Post by DoubleJ »

18" Wylde chambered HBAR here, TAC and 77gr Noslers or SMKs get me around 3/4" pretty consistently. Winchester brass, 2.255" COAL. SMKs will show pressure sooner, they say they're more accurate, I'm not that good though.
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