Ball Powder for 223 ??

GMAC7949

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Apr 19, 2009
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I wanted to try a ball powder for loading my 223, 77g mag length.
I have been using Varget and R15 both with good results, but heard ball powder throws more accurately.
What would be close to varget or r15 in load capacity???
AR 223, White Oak 20" 1-7, 77g nozler CC. LC brass.
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

I have had good results with the 77 gr SMK and AA2460 in my service rifle and my dog gun. I use Tac in my match rifle with a 26 inch barrel. Ball powder is nice to work with, smooth thruogh my redding.
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: crod1972</div><div class="ubbcode-body">h-335 and blc-2 work great </div></div>

+1 H335 is the best powder accuracy wise with 77 BTHP's in my 700 tactical.
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: duaneb</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ramshot is currently being used by the military with the 77's for long range, I believe they use 24.3 grains. W844 and W846 is good also but is a little heat sensitive.</div></div>

Just curious, how do you know this? Are you talkin' about Mk.262, or USAMU loading?
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

I have been told that W748 is the closest powder to what the military runs for powder in their gas guns. It is dirty, but will shot 3/4 moa outta my 20" prairie dog AR.

I have shot 1/2 moa with H335.....it is my go to powder for both my AR's and my .223's and .204s. I love that stuff!!!! -Dan
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

I like W748 for 50-55gr bullets, and have used Ramshot Big Game for 75's, 26.5gr, which is a compressed load. Velocity may or may not be enough to get past 600-800yd, I never shot it past 300yd, but accuracy is very good in a 24" 1:9" Savage 10FP.

I would rate Ramshot TAC as roughly simlar to W748, and Ramshot Big Game to be roughly similar to W760. Ramshot Hunter is roughly similar to H4350.

Greg
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

im new to reloading but it seems blc2 runs pretty dirty for me running 55 grain bullets from a 16" barrel so im thinkin maybe its just too slow burning for the lighter bullets out of short barrels? like maybe im not burning it all?
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

I use BLC2 in my ARs and Savage Bolt. The AR cases eject very dirty (suspect because of .556 chamber) but same load, same bullet, fired out of the Savage they come out cleaner then before I shot them. Well pretty close any way. Meters great from my Dillon and I have mega pounds of it on hand so will stick with it.
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

Ok I cant find any h335 but have found tac so tac it is!
and looking at load data provided by hide members there is alot more on here using TAC than h335 plus TAC is cleaner burning.
How is is affected by heat or cold?
Were is a good load to start with?
what is max load that people have tried? FPS?
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

In my 223ai I am at 26.4 Grains of TAC behind 75 amaxes. I am seeing ejector marks on a hot Houston day, so I will be backing this load down a bit. Rock 8 twist at 22 inches, 2.480" COAL.

Work the load up in your rifle...
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NativeCraft</div><div class="ubbcode-body">SS,
What, exactly, do you mean by "massaged brass"?</div></div>

I'm talking about deburring flash holes, weighing brass, and uniforming primer pockets, that sort of thing.
 
Re: Ball Powder for 223 ??

I tried H335 behind a 55Gr ball. The groups were great when the temps were in the 50's but when the temps went up to the high 80's low 90's the groups spread out.

I am waiting for it to cool down again to see if my groups close up with my chosen load.