Powders for .223 and .303Brit....?

[Detritus]

Greetings to all,

well, since i'm off sick from work with laryngitis (can't sell appliances when you can't speak), I thought i'd go digging around for info on what i should be buying in the near future.

one of those items is of course powder, but as many of you who've been following my current escapades in the shooting world know it's been 6-7 years since i last did ANY reloading and in that time (encompassing up to 3 interstate moves on the part of the associated data and gear) i've lost what little written data that i had left!

well, since the last dies and such are on their way from midway, it's time for me to decide on a powder or two to try out, and i'd like to have a few suggestions if you gentlemen would be so kind.

i will be reloading .223 for my Savage 12FV (1in9 twist btw) and .303 for my No4Mk1* i will be loading for best accuracy (or at lest attempting to in the case of the Enfield) leaning toward 69 or 77gr SMKs for the .223 and 174s for the Enfield.

so what would You guys suggest for best results with these two rounds?? and if by some miracle the same powder could be used in both to good effect that would also be very nice as it would reduce my inital outlay of cash while getting me shooting both rifles again.

BTW the .303 has priority on getting loaded for fisrt since finding ANY 174gr loading is near impossible around this area.

as always thank you or your time and any advice you can give

 

[ocabj]

IMR 4064 will work for both the 223 and 303.

You will probably get better results with Hodgdon Varget in the 223 over 4064, though. But I've been using 4064 in 223 just fine with my AR and 55 grain FMJ. I haven't played around with heavier bullets in the AR. I don't shoot it that much.

 

[P95Carry]

Varget is probably one very good choice for .223 tho I still use VV N-133 - that powder being very much a .223 recommended.

For .303 Brit I might use either VV N-140 or as often in the past reloader 7.

I've not used 4064 but if it does indeed suit both that'd be a bonus.

 

[Detritus]

just a side note, but last night i DID notice that on the VihtaVuori/Lapua website that they list the following three VV powders as being suitable for both .223 and .303 (or at least they've got data for them)

N135,N140, and N540

i didn't look real close at the data, it was late and the print was tiny, and while i am rather familiar with the VihtaVuori Oy name and how well regarded their product is, i have never used it and frankly i'm feeling out of my depth and lost overall

anyone know if there is load data for Ramshot TAC in .303? I know where i can get that one easy.

 

[rbernie]

I've got a bunch of pet loads for my Enfields, but the most consistent loads use H4895 for the 150gr-180gr bullets and H322 for the 125gr bullets. I also use H4895 for most of my critical 223 loads and H322 for range loads.

 

[Roadkill]

I'm using IMR 4895 in a Colt SP1, half a dozen 30-06s, .303, and a 30-30.

rk

 

[pasquot]

powders for 303 and 223

I have a ar15 with a 1-9 bbl. I use 25gr imr4895 with a 55gr bullet.
303 i have used 44 gr imr4895 with 125gr bullet.

The nice thing about imr4895 powder is you can buy it military surplus. It averages about $11.00 per pound in an 8 lb jug.

Do a search on surplus powder. patsreloading. gibrass. etc.

 

[USSR]

What pasquot said. IMR4895 pulldown powder will work fine in both your cartridges, and there's nothing wrong with paying 1/2 price for it.

Don

 

[TooTaxed]

Ditto on the milsurp #4895. I got an 8# keg from gibrass for $80 plus shipping, and use it for .223 (25-gr for a 55-gr FMJBT bullet), 6.5-Jap, 6.5 x55, .308, .30-06, .303 Brit, 7.7 Jap, and 8-mm Mauser...works fine in all.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I use Varget and H-335 for .223 but that's for an AR.

I know your not shooting an AR but that's all I could add to this thread.