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.223 Powder Choice
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 12:06 pm
by TattooedGun
Historically I've used Varget for both my .308 and .223 loads and had developed quite a good round to shoot with varget powder. However, I am in the process of having my headspacing reset by gunsmith which will cock up all my loads.
Since Varget is getting very thin on the ground in this country, I was wondering what alternative (cheaper) powders people were using to good effect for .223 loads.
Hopefully something that looks set to be around for a while as I loathe having to waste bullets at 100y to find what works the best...
I'll be shooting 69gr SMKs...
Thankyer
TG :)
Re: .223 Powder Choice
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 12:22 pm
by zanes
While I don't shoot .223, for security of supply I've moved to Vhit powders for practically everything (aside from gallery rifle loads- bullseye).
Re: .223 Powder Choice
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 12:47 pm
by saddler
The ONLY powders you'll find in the UK without the US-supplier issues, are the EU made ones.
Viht is the main one to look at, plus the Czech made Lovex
Re: .223 Powder Choice
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 12:55 pm
by DW58
We're getting very good results on both .223 and .308 using Reload Swiss RS50.
Re: .223 Powder Choice
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 12:59 pm
by Countryman
I use VHT N140, Ramshot TAC or Hodgesons Benchmark.
I have Swiss TR140. I guess as it's similar to VHT N140 IT should work.
Re: .223 Powder Choice
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 1:37 pm
by ovenpaa
TR140 is RS50 and it works well with both .223REM and .308WIN
Re: .223 Powder Choice
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 1:53 pm
by Landy Dave
I use Vit N133 22.5gr under a 52gr A-max or 53gr V-max in a Howa Stainless Varmint.
24gr was also very good but it was over the speed limit.
Obviously these are safe in my rifle blah blah blah......
Here is there data:
http://www.vihtavuori.com/en/reloading- ... ngton.html
Re: .223 Powder Choice
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 2:47 pm
by The Gun Pimp
Can't see how altering the headspace - can only be by a few thou. - is going to 'cock up' your loads. But yes - Varget is scarce.
Re: .223 Powder Choice
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 2:49 pm
by TattooedGun
The Gun Pimp wrote:Can't see how altering the headspace - can only be by a few thou. - is going to 'cock up' your loads. But yes - Varget is scarce.
Well for starters my fireformed cases will be out of whack. But are you saying that the loads that worked before would be optimum with less chamber area...?
At least this is what I've been told by my smith.
I figured I'd use the opportunity to put some extra load development in and get a new powder and save my 3lb or so of Varget for .308 loads which I'd prefected a lot closer than I had my .223 loads....
Re: .223 Powder Choice
Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 3:18 pm
by WelshShooter
I've had good success with TR-140 / RS50 and Ramshot Tac for .223rem (52gr, 55gr and 69gr) and .308win (155gr and 168gr) and these are some of the cheapest powders you can get at the moment.
Regarding headspacing, I'd expect load to change slightly but not drastically, as the same powder charge would yield a different pressure due to the increase in volume for the case.