Whatchya using for 223 and 68gr Hornady BTHP

[BsChoy]

I currently have Varget and RL15 to use and was wondering if H4895 or BL(c) would be worth the purchase (maybe even TAC)? Haven't loaded any yet just want to get a consensus. I am very happy with RL15 in the 223. Low pressure signs and very consistent but, have to play arouond, such is a reloaders life!

 

[stormspotter]

The three I have used, and all worked well, are RL-15, TAC and BL(C)2.

 

[Howard Roark]

Vv N-140.

 

[strat81]

H335 is very popular for .223. Meters well in my buddy's Dillon measure and my Lee Auto Disk.

Unless you're searching for The Perfect Load (tm), I'd stick to what you have and what you know. I dread adding a new caliber to the mix because it might mean adding a new powder.

 

[dcloco]

H4895 is a great load for 69 gr HPBT's in my Savage. 3000 fps...and 1" groups at 300 yards (no BS!!).

I use CCI450 primers and Win commercial cases.

 

[BsChoy]

thanks fellas, dcloco, what velocities are you getting with h4895, I am using a savage (stevens 200) savage in wolfs clothing.

 

[Adventurer_96]

I'm working on a TAC loading for 55gr right now and I'll be trying to figure out a 68gr loading as well since I just 3 or 4 dusty boxes of 68gr Hornady bullets for a great price.

I'm a TAC fan for a variety of reasons: cost, temperature stability (important in UT), easy metering, relatively clean burning, versatility.

 

[BsChoy]

If I go the tac route i will need to order it but at 15.99 a lb through midway or similar prices through powder valley its hard not to try

 

[jmorris]

winchester 748 worked the best out of my 1-7 ar

 

[dcloco]

BSChoy - 3000 fps. But, I definitely worked up to this load. REALLY like the H4895, as it is one of the Extreme powders...for temperature sensitivity.

 

[Slamfire]

Anywhere between 24.0 and 24.5 grs H4895 with a 68 Hornady should be a tack driving load. In a 20" AR barrel, that will chronograph on the high end at 2800 fps.

Try 23.5 to start out, work up to 24.5.

Folks just have to try those 4895 series of powders, H4895, IMR 4895 and AA2495, to find out what excellent powders these are in .223, 308, and 30-06. Probably a bunch more, but I have shot kegs in these calibers.

 

[NuJudge]

I use IMR 4895, as others have mentioned. I weigh every powder charge. I use Winchester cases and WSR primers.

CDD

 

[Linear Thinker]

2nd vote for N140, best accuracy and clean. Switched from 2520.
LT

 

[stubbicatt]

I've come to really appreciate the versatility of TAC. That said, I use H4895 in my prairie dog loads due to having found the "right" load and just not wanting to futz with it anymore.

I shoot a HK 93 clone alot for blasting and such, which is a notoriously dirty rifle. TAC seems to keep the soot down in the trunnion area, which is generally always a PITA to keep cleaned out.

Best of all last summer it was $75 per 8#

 

[artifex]

I have been using 24.5 Grains of TAC under 68 GR Hornady's I tried 24.7 and right up to 25 gr, but started seeing pressure signs at 25. This is using Lake City brass though, not civillian brass.

I've heard that TAC does best accuracy wise when it is cranked up to max velocities...then again, that may be a rumor spread by the folks at Ramshot because they want you to use more, and consequently buy more of their powder. Perhaps that's cynical of me, but....

In any case, I am looking to duplicate Black Hills blue box velocity, until I get a chrono though, it's all guesswork.

the 24.5 gr seems to be relatively accurate.

 

[BsChoy]

Since this thread was brought back form the otherside I figured I'd post my results of the ladder test i did. I loaded 9 rounds in .2 grain increments from 24.0-25.7. Velocities started in the upper 2800's and increased very uniformly in 20-35 fps per bump and ended at about 3075fps or so. Middle of the road charge was (according to the ladder results) the most accurate at 2997ish fps. Now I have to build 10 rounds around that charge and see how I do.

I would like to ask if anyone has used this bullet for coyotes and if so how it performed?

 

[280shooter]

Does any one reload 223 for the TC contender,in the 21 in Bar.
I have started to work on some loads.One load i did, is 22 gr. of 4198 for a 50 grn.speer point tnt
one is mindway brand 45 gr. hp 22 gr 4198.
one and last so far is,
25.5 gr, of 3031, speer point 50 gr.
they shot ok.but still working up some more laods.
r/p brass,rem 71/2 primmers.
if anyone loads for the T/C i like to know what you load for it.
my email is . [email protected]

 

[jenrob]

I use a lot of 748 with great accuracy sub .5moa at 100yrds. a friend asked if I could get it a tighter group and I kinda laughed and said not with me shooting but am going to try the varget just cause I got a lb on trade and then the VV powder will be next.

 

[RH45]

I think I've loaded and shot about 10,000 of the Hornady 68 grain match, and the most accurate I've found is 25.5 grains of Varget.

 

[ny32182]

I just got some of these bullets in today, and would like to load some up to shoot this weekend from my 20" M16 clone... I intend to use Varget.

The max listed charge for Varget is 24.9gr though... 25.5 seems like it would be way over max?

I thought I would start at 23.4gr and work my way up in .1gr increments, topping out half a grain under max for now. Does that sound like a good plan?

And are any of you guys shooting this bullet in milspec AR15's?

 

[RH45]

Yes, you should always work up a load for your particular gun!

 

[bl4ckd0g]

I use Ramshot TAC: 22.5gn in trimmed 5.56 NATO and 25gn in .223 Rem cases. It's a reasonably accurate load in my Kimber w/ the A MAX bullet.

 

[ny32182]

Is there really *that* much difference between military and commercial brass?

If so, would my load of .5 grain below the listed max be too much in military brass? I am using military brass as well.

 

[ny32182]

I'm loading up my starting load right now; 23.5gr Varget, and seating the bullets to slightly over the recommended length: 2.28" OAL.

I am hearing a "crunching" at the top of the seating stroke, as if my powder is getting compacted a little... is this normal?

 

[rundm]

with the length of that bullet, you probably will have some crunching on some of the bullet seating. I just loaded some varget this am with the 68gr horn bt match bullet and had the same crunching and I also was using 23.5grs of varget. I think the problem with mine is that I was not using the same yr of lake city cases. there is a surprising diff in case volume between old and new lake city brass especially when compared to winchester or other commercial case. case volume probably does not mean that much at 100 or so yards but when you open it up to several 100 yds it probably makes a pretty good diff. rG