Powder opinions wanted

[iblong]

Im about to start reloading for my new DPMS 16" barrel 223.My bolt loads wont cycle the action and from what I gather My IMR 4198 out of a short barrel may not get me enough pressure.Im looking at H335,W748,or TAC.Bullets will range from 50gr.to 64gr depending on differant applications.Any imput for these powders is wellcome.
Thanks,Bob.

 

[EddieNFL]

I've had good results with H335, but I'm shooting 20 inchers. Never used 748. I found TAC a little slow for lighter bullets. Works great with 77s and 80s, though.

 

[dfrea]

My brother and I have been using H322 and Varget for his 16" DPMS with great results. 23 grains of H322 under 55gr. FMJBT, I believe (not at home to check my notes). A tiny bit more for Varget I think.

We were going to use H335, but couldn't find any.

 

[627PCFan]

+1 on 23gn of h322

 

[243winxb]

I gather My IMR 4198 out of a short barrel may not get me enough pressure

Works well in my 14.5 bbl. Tho maybe not the most accurate powder, fine for blasting. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=199626

 

[243winxb]

The hole size of the gas port makes a difference. IMR 4198 should work the action of any auto.

 

[iblong]

20 gr 4198 with a 64gr pp will fire and eject but not enough to strip the next round.
Mabe if I jump to 21.5 it might.just figured there is better powders.

 

[rcmodel]

The powder is too fast burning for heavier bullets in the .223, but should still operate the action at your max load level.
I suspect an improperly lubricated or not yet broken in gun.

20.0 grains is listed as a max load of either IMR-4198 or H-4198 by both Hodgdon and Lyman with 63 grain bullets and should operate any AR-15.

I'd suggest you look at a reloading manual when choosing a better powder.

There are any number of better powders that will give you an additional 200 - 300 FPS with that bullet.

rc

 

[iblong]

rc,theres less than 50 rnds through it and is my first AR mostly load for bolts.
after looking at manuals I know 4198 is not the best powder for my needs tahts why Im asking about the powders above

 

[243winxb]

will fire and eject but not enough to strip the next

Your magazine might need adjustment. The head of the case might not be up high enough for the bolt to pick it up. Try different magazine also. 20gr max. load IMR 4198 should work any action.

 

[rcmodel]

This is true.

Try it with a single round in the magazine a few shots and see if it will lock the bolt open every time.

If it will, you have a bad magazine that is not allowing the top cartridge to come up high enough for the bolt to strip it out.

rc

 

[delta5]

Would BL-C(2) be slow enough to cycle the action?

 

[rcmodel]

I don't know of any powder too slow to cycle the action. (unless you get into the really slow powders intended for over-bore magnums and .50 BMG)

Slow burning powder translates to higher gas port pressure then fast powder, so if anything, slow powder would cycle better then fast powder.

BL-C(2) will give very nearly top performance in the .223 with any bullet weight. There are probably better powders for each specific bullet weight, but BL-C(2) will do pretty well with any of them.

rc

 

[iblong]

Ill give it a try but I have 3 new mags and it does the same in all,also it feeds and ejects factory 55 gr.fmj and 62 gr,Federal fussion without a problem.
Im going to try 55gr.Hornady sp with 21gr 4198 and see what happens.
Im still going to buy a different powder but I need to figure out why this ones not working.
Thanks,Bob.

 

[freddyp]

Imr 4198 is marginal in the AR-15 gas system. Some uppers will work just fine with it, others will not. The mini-14 system is a different story and usually has no problems with 4198. H335, Win 478, 4895's and other slower powders than 4198 will work fine with the AR gas system. Irm 4198 does not have sufficient pressure at the gas port to work reliabily in every AR upper on the face of the earth.

 

[Kernel]

Bob,

With the bullet weights you mentioned in your OP I think you would have better results with powders in the speed range of 4895, 748, and N135. In comparison to these powders, 4198 is extremely fast. It's not surprising you had such poor results.

 

[1moa@500]

I have had great luck with Ramshot X-terminator. Meters well and easy to find.

 

[iblong]

Thanks everyone,I Know 4198 is a fast powder.In my bolts a slightly reduced velocity with a 40 gr.v-max in my CZ 527 it gave me honest .575 groups at a 100yds,and did almost as well with 50-55 sp.I was hoping to use up some of my stock.guess Ill have to pull bullets.
Thanks,Bob.

 

[243winxb]

Im going to try 55gr.Hornady sp with 21gr 4198 and see what happens.

Starting with a maximum load is not a good idea, in fact your other load (20.0 gr IMR4198 with a 64gr pp) would seem to be on the Hot side, depending on your chamber. If your only problem is the round not being picked up by the bolt, cycling rate of the bold might be to high/fast with your 64gr loading. I have shot IMR 4198 @ 20.5gr with Win.55gr fmjbt in M16, AR15, Mini's. AR180 T/C contender, M70 without problems.
Spray the action/magazinges with WD-40 (other will say NO) makes sure chamber/barrel is dry. 19.0gr IMR 4198 with 55gr. See what happens. Also look at the different load data between bolt and auto under the Sierra icons here. Good Luck. http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html