[John Crusher]

I am trying to come up with what would be a reliable powder to load .223 blanks for a private group that works with the local university ROTC. The mil. spec is HPC13 @ 7grains. I will either parrafin,cardboard, or star crimp as I want to research all options. I have K's of once fired brass and wish to help out. I would appreciate any input on this matter. If anyone has once fired blanks they would liketo get rid of I would be interested in trade/purchase as I have a star crimp die and can recrimp. I am a Veteran and have relatives in the sandbox and I want the ones to follow to come home.

[Grump]

I have *heard* that a half-case or maybe more of Bullseye will do the trick. That, however, was for .30-06.

Just don't succumb to the temptation to do the blackpowder thing. Way easy to get a bang but too messy.

Or you can do what I did. Bought a couple of .50 BMG blanks at a gun show and use the EC or whatever blank powder in them. Still haven't opened up the second one...

Just don't treat the .50 BMG primers like ordinary ones. They bang big and powerful. I had to make repairs after popping mine. A family friend had a co-worker killed at their WWII ammo plant when she (the co-worker) dropped a tray of .50 BMG primers.