View Full Version : 223 powder and projectile combination advice
I haven't been reloading 223 for the AR that long and being in Korea for the last 2 years all I have been able to really do is have components sent back to the house for the wife to store. The only combination I have loaded so far is 8208XBR with a 77g SMK but due to component shortage I've collected a few different powders and projectiles. I have found load suggestions for each combination but what I can't seem to locate is what powder will work best with each projectile. I know that some powders do best with light projectiles while other do well with heavier projectiles. In the last two years I have managed to stock up 55g FMJs, 62g SS109s, 69g SMKs, 77g SMKs. For powder I have H322, H335, W748. I was told that the 322 works best for lighter loads so I was going to use it with the 55g ones. 748 for the SS109s and the H355 for the 69 and 77g SMKs. These will go through 2 different ARs, a 10 inch SBR and a 16 inch carbine both 1/7 twist if that makes a difference. Im using Lee dies and have always used a light crimp with the FCD. Will someone smarter than me on this let me know if that plan works or if I should switch powders and projectiles from what I think is going to work best. Or, does it really matter, will each powder work equally for each projectile?
Thanks in advance.
A little birdy told me H322 and 77gr SMK's play well together... I'm sure that little birdy will pop in here shortly.
Save the H322 for the 77's & use the H335 for the 55's. I have some 748 but not much experience there. I had it saved for experimentation on some lighter blaster loads.
One word of caution with primers, if you have any 41's, keep it away from the H322 & save them for the ball powder. H322 loves the Russian primers.
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What they said. 21.6-21.8 gr of H322, 77 gr SMK, Russian primer, and a light crimp is a really accurate combo out of any gun 1/9 or faster.
I'd like to also give a nod to Markm's load above. Save the h322 for the 77s. Its a great combo he stumbled on.
I used to shoot alot of 748 with rem 7.5s and Sierra 69s and it was sub moa also with IMR 4895 but alittle pain in the butt to drop small amounts of stick powder.
For 55s I run any ball powder with a nod to Benchmark.
Save the H322 for the 77's & use the H335 for the 55's. I have some 748 but not much experience there. I had it saved for experimentation on some lighter blaster loads.
One word of caution with primers, if you have any 41's, keep it away from the H322 & save them for the ball powder. H322 loves the Russian primers.
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That is good info to have. I have always used CCI #400 small rifle for my AR loads without an issue but always with 2520 or 8208XBR. Right before I PCS here to korea I loaded up some 55g and 322 with the 400s and was getting some massive keyholing even at 25m. I wonder if it was primer related? The 77g ones I loaded with 8208 worked beautifully even with my 10.5 inch SBR but I ran out of 8202 and got 322. After that it was disaster and I never figured it out before I had to PCS.
H322 does not do well on 55gr and so so with 62's. Great with 69/77. XBR was very good but unpredictable from lb to lb. with some very hot. Load with caution. Follow Marks load for 77's and your life will be good.
scoutfsu99
05-29-14, 00:16
SNIP
What's a good powder to run 69gr Nosler HPBT & CCI 400's out of a Daniel Defense 18" S2W barrel?
I use surplus WC842 for my 55gr plinking loads but would rather kick it up a step and perfect a load for the SPR.
What's a good powder to run 69gr Nosler HPBT & CCI 400's out of a Daniel Defense 18" S2W barrel?
That one is tough. We ever got the 69 gr Nozzies to stack holes. They shoot around MOA if I remember right, but they're not as nice as the 77 gr Custom Comps.
I still load 69 gr NOS with H322. H322 pushes 69 gr Sierra SMKs beautifully, so I just use the same load. 22.9 gr, I think.
That one is tough. We ever got the 69 gr Nozzies to stack holes. They shoot around MOA if I remember right, but they're not as nice as the 77 gr Custom Comps.
I still load 69 gr NOS with H322. H322 pushes 69 gr Sierra SMKs beautifully, so I just use the same load. 22.9 gr, I think.
If they don't shoot at least MOA, change to Wolf or some Russian primer. Please understand Marks standard for good is clover leafing groups. This ammo shot MOA all day long, which is good enough for most work.
Please understand Marks standard for good is clover leafing groups.
Yeah... I get an MOA group and the day is ruined. Maybe the whole weekend.
Please understand Marks standard for good is clover leafing groups.
I've been happy with .5moa groups, so I should probably stop looking for H322. I wouldn't know what to do with myself and a clover leaf group.
Though I've done it once with a 300BLK, I'm now ruined in the chase for a clover leaf again.
Really 3/4 MOA and I'm comfortable. Some days you just don't get there.... poor trigger work or unstable position, etc. Other days, you just can't miss.
I try to avoid shooting too many groups for mental health purposes. You'll drive yourself nuts.
Really 3/4 MOA and I'm comfortable. Some days you just don't get there.... poor trigger work or unstable position, etc. Other days, you just can't miss.
I try to avoid shooting too many groups for mental health purposes. You'll drive yourself nuts.
Looks like a good starting plan. Thank you everyone.
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