[Thad]

Recomendations for bullet weight for 748 winchester powder? It is the first time I am loading .223 and looking for an accurate target load. Target shooting is my main concern. The rifle I just bought is a Kimber Pro Varmint with 1:9 twist rate.

[bogie]

Rtfm.

[Thad]

Rtfm??? means what?:confused:

[def4pos8]

This might be more appropos to "Handloading".

An XXgrain bullet MIGHT be appropriate but you need to obtain loading data from the supplier of your bullets: Speer, Hornady, Sierra, etc.

At least a half-dozen MAJOR factors affect component selection. Without knowing bullet weight, style, manufacturer, cartridge overall length, primer, brass source, etc, you cannot decide upon a safe charge weight. With a 1:9 twist, I'd suggest at least a 62-grain bullet but 68 to 80 grain weights are likely best.

I "grew up" using Speer manuals. They have a thorough "how to" section right up front that will point you in the right direction. Learn and consider those other variables before choosing your projectile and powder.

[def4pos8]

RTFM = Read The Friendly Manual :o

[Werewolf]

You'll get more replies in the handloads section and I imagine this will be moved there but since you asked:

1:9 Twist - 55 to 70 gr bullets. My preference runs to 55, 62 or 69. Max OAL is 2.260". None of the suggested loads are compressed.

Below loads are for the Remington .223 not the Military 5.56.

For Win 748 a starting load of 26.2gr and a 55 gr jacketed bullet will net you 3170 fps out of a 24" bbl.

62 gr bullet, 25.1 gr W748 will give you 2929 fps and a max load of 25.5 will give you 2985.

Same powder and a 69gr bullet and a starting load of 23 gr's will get you 2711 fps. Max load 24.5 gr and 2870 fps.

As far as accuracy goes you'll just have to work up a load that works best in your rifle. For example my AR-15 M4gery likes 62 grainers with Accurate 2460 the best.

FWIW - IMO W748 isn't the best powder to use for .223. I'm a fan of Accurate Powder and for the .223 I prefer 2460 or 2520.

[Thad]

thank you werewolf for being helpful!

No thanks to Boogie! the manual suggests ten different bullet weights. I wanted collective wisdom form friendly THR members. Mama always said aint got nothin nice to say...

[peterotte]

I always chose the slowest and bulkiest powder that would do the job. Less chance of overloads and seemingly best accuracy, due, I suspect, to less free space in the case and more consistant ignition. Also, with a whippy barrel, the slower pressure rise produces less barrel whip. It worked for me in my mini-14 but produced quite a muzzle blast and vigorous cycling. Accuracy was pretty good 'though.