Has anyone tried this combination? I have some Sierras on the way and some H335 on hand. I was using Hornady 75 grain HPBT Match bullets but ran out and haven’t seen any more so went to the 77 grain SMK. I use H335 for my 55 grain load but it looks like it gives good velocity with the 77 grain as well. I get great accuracy with the 75 grain Hornadys with a different powder. If I could simplify the powder stockpile and just use one I wouldn’t complain.
H335 and 77 Grain Sierra Match King for 223
- Thread starter DMW1116
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With things being the way they are one could make a case for having a wide variety of loads to accommodate whatever components are available. I normally use the 75 gr HPBT with IMR 4064, but I’ll be out soon and I have 2 loads for another rifle that use it.
Dale Alan
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That is what I do , I have about 10 powders I use to cover all my 223 loads , he only uses 2 . I enjoy load development so testing is fun for me , he does not have my patience yet so he tends to dial in a load and run with just the one or two .
NMexJim
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The clip below taken from the Sierra site.
I pretty much use MatchKings for target only. There are better choices for varmint or civil defense. I have used them in a 1:7 twist heavy barrel (HBAR) w/ no problems. I quite like them. In fact, Sierra is all right with me.
H335 21.6/2400, 22.3/2500, 22.6/2550 which is max. Listed COAL is 2.260.
Accuracy load is Viht N140 24.1/2600.
valleyforge.1777
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How do you get the I-4064 into the 223 case?
I have some spare I-3031 and I wanted to use that in my 223 loads, but I am afraid of powder bridging across the top of the cases and other powder-going-everywhere-but-into-the-case type mishaps. When I load 4064 for my .30+ caliber loads I use the RCBS chargemaster lite and a funnel to fill the cases, but I'm afraid that with the 223 cases those stick powders will be a mess.
I have some spare I-3031 and I wanted to use that in my 223 loads, but I am afraid of powder bridging across the top of the cases and other powder-going-everywhere-but-into-the-case type mishaps. When I load 4064 for my .30+ caliber loads I use the RCBS chargemaster lite and a funnel to fill the cases, but I'm afraid that with the 223 cases those stick powders will be a mess.
Yea I just use the funnel that came with my Lee kit. It will bridge in the funnel sometimes but I just give the funnel a tap with the scale pan and it goes on in. The max charge I’ve tried was 25 grains in Federal 223 brass and it fit ok. Even my 23.5 gr standard load is compressed though. I seat the 75 gr bullets to 2.25. I’ll probably bump the 77s up to 2.255. I don’t think that will stop it from being a compressed load though. I do not use a powder measure though. I use the Lee scoop that came with my dies and trickle up from there. That is another reason an accurate load with H335 would be nice. My powder measure has less than 0.1 grain variation in load with H335. I check charge weight every 5 or 10 rounds when loading. H335 has an uphill battle. That IMR 4064 load is the most accurate center fire load I’ve tried in any of my rifles. I have a rimfire rifle that might beat it out to 100 yards but not further.
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Airborne Falcon
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H335 is an excellent choice ... with cannelure or w/o?
Airborne Falcon
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I got a 500 ct box of those recently as well ... I think it might have been from Midway, or perhaps Sleeping Giant .... I dunno, I cannot remember for sure. The MK262s Mod1-C are with cannelures and supposedly the military claims they make a big difference (accuracy-wise) which is why Black Hills uses the cannelured version. But I've had really good luck, with a medium tapered crimp, on the non-cannelured version with no set back or overpressure issues whatsoever.
Pretty sure I bought some with cannelures, 5x50 ct boxes, from Midway recently. I was going to work-up a load with those this weekend but weather is throwing a wrench in the gears.
Airborne Falcon
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I really wish I could score some more N140 or even N133. They've been almost non-existent for over a year now ... you hear of some popping-up occasionally like unicorns but you never see it in reality. I think maybe it's all being gobbled-up in Europe and it rarely has the chance to even make its way here ... unless the OEM manufacturers are getting it all before it makes its way to the shelves.
I use the lightest crimp possible with the Lee Factory Crimp Die. I have enough 77s on the way to test some H335, but not enough to make any sizable production unless I’m willing to sacrifice some of the 55 grain rounds for my other rifle. That’s a tough call as I’m having loads of fun shooting that one as far as the peep sights will let me.
It’s probably worth getting a load developed and saving it in case I come across some more of either powder. It’s also worth noting that if I find a really accurate 77/H335 load, I’ll probably get enthused about that and switch away from the 55/H335 load.
H335 may not be the best option for 77's, but if you're not worried about velocity it should do well for you! If you have a load with those 75's, I'm betting the load with 77's will be really close! I've noticed that I can push the Hornady 75's a little bit harder than the 77 SMK or Nosler CC before pressure signs show up. The 77's are usually a little bit more accurate though.
Airborne Falcon
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Yeah the 55s and 62s like all kinds of loads ... Varget, RL15, 4895, etc., etc., etc. I've got 4895 running out of my ears ... probably close to 30 pounds including some Radway surplus I've been saving. I've even got most of a keg of CFE 223 still available for the 55s and 62s.
Still, I really like the H335 when I am rolling-up the heavier stuff from 68-77 grns, and I do a lot of that these days.
With that said I am about to work-up a load for an 11.5" SIG MCX Virtus using the 77s ... and for that I am not sure where it is going-to lead me. I see where some are going the hotter route for the SBRs and braced pistol loads using the heavier pills ... like A1680 (which a lot of people are now favoring for their short barreled 300 BLK loads evidently. I am really going to have to research it thoroughly before I begin. I mean the MCX runs fine using standard 55 and 62 loads ... but I am hoping for something that really utilizes the shorter pipe without blowing a bunch of unburned propellant outta the muzzle and into my can. I am hoping to squeeze 2400 fps or so out of the thing with those heavier bullets. It may end-up that H335 is the way-to-go, I dunno.
Still, I really like the H335 when I am rolling-up the heavier stuff from 68-77 grns, and I do a lot of that these days.
With that said I am about to work-up a load for an 11.5" SIG MCX Virtus using the 77s ... and for that I am not sure where it is going-to lead me. I see where some are going the hotter route for the SBRs and braced pistol loads using the heavier pills ... like A1680 (which a lot of people are now favoring for their short barreled 300 BLK loads evidently. I am really going to have to research it thoroughly before I begin. I mean the MCX runs fine using standard 55 and 62 loads ... but I am hoping for something that really utilizes the shorter pipe without blowing a bunch of unburned propellant outta the muzzle and into my can. I am hoping to squeeze 2400 fps or so out of the thing with those heavier bullets. It may end-up that H335 is the way-to-go, I dunno.
In my Lyman manual H335 gives higher velocity. I know I’m loosing some velocity with the IMR 4064 so I was hoping to gain a bit with the H335. I don’t have a chronograph so I’m really just guessing. Accuracy is my goal for now, so if it’s accurate I’m willing to sacrifice some velocity. My highest charge of IMR 4064 still grouped well, but I didn’t want to push that hard and the lower charge was even more accurate.
Minor issue. I don’t have that many 77 grain bullets to spare and I’m switching primers for both loads so I’ll need a few to test. Looks like I’ll just hold off on a completely new load unless I come across some more powder soon. So far I’ve only used Hodgden powders but that’s mostly because they were easier to find and a little because their website was easier to use for load info if my manual didn’t have it. I may keep an eye out for some other powders and start completely from scratch.
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