Accurate LT-32 loads for 223 Remington / 5.56

[deanq]

I haven’t seen a lot of empirical data on LT-32 loads in 223 so after a morning of running some loads across the chrono, I figured I’d post them to give everyone an idea how this powder holds up for 223/5.56 loads. All shooting was done on the AR rifle platform.
First up were Hornady 55 gr FMJBT. Then Nosler CC 69 gr HPBT.
I maxed out at 23.5 gr, started to see the occasional extractor swipe on the head; backed off to 23.0 grains for a <1 MOA load for the 55gr Hornady. I shot them out of 2 different length barrels, a 16” and an 18”. All the data from accurate was from 24” barrels.
Here’s may data with some factory PMC Bronze (223 load) and LC ’02 Green Tip (5.56 load) loads for reference.


******************* 16” barrel / 18” Barrel


PMC Bronze 55gr FMJBT - 2850 fps / 2925 fps


LC’02 M855 Green Tip - 2990 fps / 3080 fps


Hornady 55 gr FMJBT - 2810 fps / 2955 fps
23.0 gr LT-32


Hornady 55 gr FMJBT - *** / 2925 fps
23.5 gr LT-32


Nosler CC 69 gr BTHP - *** / 2600 fps
21.5 gr LT-32


Nosler CC 69 gr BTHP - *** / 2540 fps
21.0 gr LT-32


Nosler CC 69 gr BTHP - *** / 2500 fps
20.5 gr LT-32

Conclusions:
For 55 grain bullets, the velocity is obtainable for standard 223 loads albeit at 5.56 pressures.
For > 55 grain bullets, the velocities’ just weren’t there before pressure signs started showing up.
Grouping with all loads was excellent. No load grouped greater than 1MOA, which was pretty amazing. Some of the 69 gr loads were really amazing but the velocity was about 200 fps below what I consider normal.
Hope this helps others get started with this new powder.

[eightmillimeter]

Since this is such a fast powder designed around the various PPC's I am not surprised by your results. It is far from ideal as full power .223 powder but it does have a track record for accuracy for sure.

[markm]

I've got 8 lbs of this I may dig into if powder on the shelves doesn't increase soon. I hate the idea of having to shoot light bullets though.

[markm]

Edit:

I just checked my data, and found I'd already ran these tests. :fie:

22.0 gr LT-32 with a 77 gr Nosler was running 2754 FPS, S.D of 8. Fired out of a 20 inch Hbar.

[markm]

Hornady 55 gr FMJBT - 2810 fps / 2955 fps
23.0 gr LT-32


Hornady 55 gr FMJBT - *** / 2925 fps
23.5 gr LT-32


Am I reading correctly that you lost 30 FPS when going from 23.0 to 23.5?

I'm going to try the 23.0 this weekend.

[deanq]

Am I reading correctly that you lost 30 FPS when going from 23.0 to 23.5?

I'm going to try the 23.0 this weekend.
Scratchin' my head didn't work so I checked my notes.
23.0 gr was from a different 18" barrel. Slower barrel was an 18" Criterion, faster was a Krieger.

That info was from a barrel length comparison- 18" #1=2955 FPS, 18" #2=2890 FPS, 16" = 2810 FPS.
Barrels can make a difference dependent on what you need. 100-150 FPS may not make a difference dependent on your use criteria.
Also from my notes, these were shot in August in Phoenix, so it was hot outside :rolleyes:

[markm]

Well you know what? I had this happen with a 7mm mag load. Bumped up the load 3/10s maybe, and dropped velocity 30-40 fps. It DOES happen.

In any case, I loaded up 100 55 gr ballistic tips with the 23.0 to mess with this weekend.

[Onyx Z]

Just got an email from Brownell's that 8lbs of this is in stock.

I found the description kind of interesting:

"Formulated to give the same legendary performance as IMR 8208/T-322, LT-32 is ideal for short-range benchrest cartridges like 6mm PPC. An extruded powder with extremely fine kernels that measure like a ball powder, LT-32 is made in the same plant and on the same machinery as the original T-322. It gives high velocities and extreme consistency with very low standard deviation. LT-32 is the perfect choice for extreme accuracy."

[m1a_scoutguy]

Powder Valley has 1LB cans for $27.10 & 8 LB for $204.30. I have looked at this powder for a long time but wanted to wait for you guys to test it ! LOL Sounds like its a decent alternative !

[markm]

Powder Valley has 1LB cans for $27.10 & 8 LB for $204.30. I have looked at this powder for a long time but wanted to wait for you guys to test it ! LOL Sounds like its a decent alternative !

Those prices are a little steep. Bruno's was begging guys to try it before the whole panic thing.

[m1a_scoutguy]

Those prices are a little steep. Bruno's was begging guys to try it before the whole panic thing.

Seems like it was cheaper at PV when it 1st came out,,but I can't remember now. Burno's is more for the 1LB can,but less for the 8LB,,not much difference either way but a little. So Bruno's is a decent place to get stuff ?

[markm]

Seems like it was cheaper at PV when it 1st came out,,but I can't remember now. Burno's is more for the 1LB can,but less for the 8LB,,not much difference either way but a little. So Bruno's is a decent place to get stuff ?

Well... Brunos usually has what you need. But they're often full price. I'm just saying that when LT-32 came out, no one would touch it because it was unknown... and every time Pappabear stopped in at Bruno's, they were pushing it.

We still haven't put much effort into messing with the powder. It's kind of like our 8 lb back up cushion in case components ever get really hard to find.

I'm sure LT 32 has really good potential, and I'm a big fan of these small kernal extruded powders with Benchrest use in their history.

[m1a_scoutguy]

Well... Brunos usually has what you need. But they're often full price. I'm just saying that when LT-32 came out, no one would touch it because it was unknown... and every time Pappabear stopped in at Bruno's, they were pushing it.

We still haven't put much effort into messing with the powder. It's kind of like our 8 lb back up cushion in case components ever get really hard to find.

I'm sure LT 32 has really good potential, and I'm a big fan of these small kernal extruded powders with Benchrest use in their history.

I hear ya markm,,I knew you guys were in AZ and thought Bruno's could be in your area so that's a big plus for ya. Ya figure in full price plus tax versus $5 bucks cheaper online plus Hazmat & shipping, I would rather walk into a place and walk out with what I need ! We have a big distributor kinda close but its still a hour & a half away & hard to time a trip and actually having items in stock. I mite give the stuff a try if we put a order in the next month or so, especially with Tax refund time around the corner ! It looks like Bruno's is pretty fair on primers,,heck they had $23 bucks for CCI small pistol and had a bunch of other items in stock at fair price. Could be a alternative to PV & Widener's at times.

[markm]

The cool thing about Bruno's for us.... is you can buy it online and lock in your stuff, then at checkout select customer pick up... and get down there whenever you have time.