Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

Tactical30

Tactical30

Gunny Sergeant
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May 5, 2009
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#1
Im getting ready to load up some lighter grain bullets for one of my AR-15 builds.

I have got used to loading the 69gr. SMK, 77gr. SMK, 75gr. Hornady BTHP and 68gr. Hornady BTHP for my AR that has a 1-7 Twist with a WOA bbl.

I have a 1-9 twist AR thats been sitting in the safe for awhile cuz I shoot the other one I mentioned above alot more.

I figured the 52gr. bullets would give me good accuracy becuase I remember I have had good luck with the 52gr. Black Hills factory Ammo.

These are the bullets I have to reload for it (that I think would work well):

<span style="font-weight: bold">52gr. Sierra Matchking
52gr. Hornady A-MAX BT
53gr. Sierra Matchking
55gr. Hornady V-MAX
60gr. Hornady V-MAX</span>

<span style="text-decoration: underline">My question is What powder(s) would work well with these lighter bullets?</span>

<span style="font-style: italic">If you load any of these bullets and would like to care to share your load data it would help me get an idea.</span>

Thanks
 
#2
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

I just got done loading some 52gr. Sierra Matchkings and Win748 also I loaded some 52gr. Hornady A-MAX's with Benchmark and BL-C(2). All with Winchester brass and Fed.205M Primers.


I would like to know what you other guys are using.
 
#3
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

I get excellent 5 shoot 100 yard groups (usually .5-.7") with 52 gr SMK's with 26.2 grains of Win 748 in my PSS. Not quite as good with the 53 gr SMK's
 
#4
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

H335 & Win748 are two that have proven themselves over the years in a lot of guns chambered for .223 Rem (among others). There are any number of other powders that work well, but these two... work in every gun I've tried.
 
#6
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

I have had really outstanding success with the Sierra 53gr flat base Matchking and H335. I am away from my load book and records, but when I get back in Tuesday, I will repost.
 
#7
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

For 100 and 200 yard high power, 25 grains of H335 with 52 SMK and WSR primers. I've shot this load for 100 yard matches and haven't adjusted it yet. It shoots better than surplus ball but I haven't shot my highest 100 yard scores with it.
 
#10
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

Mine used to be BL-C(2), but for some reason my old loads with it from nearly 2 decades ago haven't worked nearly as well in the last year or two.

I now use W748, with moderate success.

Could be I'm just gettin' old and can't shoot so well anymore...

S'possible...

Greg
 
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#12
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

I've always used BL-C2 with good results,knowing that I was giving up a little velosity.Theres so many good ones that its hard to pick one. Lightman
 
#13
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

I have shot H335, N133, Benchmark, Varget and IMR8208 XBR in my FIL's Rem 700 SPS. N133 and 8208 have shot the best with 8208 shooting the best. 24.3g of IMR8208XBR is the OCW load for his rifle and shoots 0.5MOA out to 300 yards. That seems to be the load for the 52g Amax and 53g SMK.

8208 XBR meters great and is temp sensitive. I have also found it to be very clean burning(unlike H335).

Hard to go wrong with the 8208 I think.
 
#15
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

i liked H335.. but if i found a good load in the winter it'd pop primers when it got warmer.

im trying h322 now its supposed to be similar but less sensitive to temps. we'll see..
 
#16
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rdsii64</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I load a 50 grain Vmax over 26 grains of N133 and get very consistant results. Try it with a 52 grain match bullet and I think you will pleseantly surprised. </div></div>

25g is the max load listed for 52g bullets in the VV load data. I found 25.1g as the OCW load with the 53g SMK with N133. Here is a link to my work-up.

http://practicalrifler.6.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=971&start=0
 
#17
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tomekeuro85</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i liked H335.. but if i found a good load in the winter it'd pop primers when it got warmer.

im trying h322 now its supposed to be similar but less sensitive to temps. we'll see.. </div></div>

Try IMR8208XBR and I think you will like it MO-Better.
 
#19
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

I used to have an AR that LOVED Black Hills 52 grain. I couldn't find a handload that would ever match the accuracy of the Black Hills 52 grain stuff, in that rifle.
 
#22
Re: Favorite Powder for 52gr./53gr. Bullets?

I shoot all year round here in AZ temps range (when I go shooting) from the 40's to 90's in summer. Never noticed any differences using W 748. But I don't have a chrono. Just judging from group sizes.
 
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