H322 with heavy .223?

[3-0-hate]

Just wondering if anyone here has had good luck with H322 and the heavier pills (75gr Hornady BTHP in my case)? I want to try to get away from Varget in .223 due to metering and case fill issues. Im hoping I can get a combination of some increased velocity while maintaining accuracy in my gas guns.

Just wondering what y'all have experienced with H322.. Up until now, I have either loaded bulk with H335 or BLC-2 and 55-62gr bullets, or Varget with weight sorted LC brass. Wanting to be able to hopefully get my powder dropper dialed and throw a consistent charge that will keep me in my accuracy node, hence the fine grain H322.

Thanks all!

 

[MtnCreek]

I'd see how 8208 or even benchmark meter before going to a ball powder. JMHO.

Edit: Disregard.

 

[BlackdogGS]

Have you considered TAC? My best groups have been with 77gr SMK’s over TAC.

 

[MarinePMI]

I'd see how 8208 or even benchmark meter before going to a ball powder. JMHO.

FYSA, H-322 isn't a ball powder, it's cylindrical. That being said, I've only ever used it for light bullets in the .223 and .20 tactical. I'd concur that 8208 is probably the better route to go for heavies in .223.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

H-335 BL-C(2) or WW 748 all work good.

 

[3-0-hate]

H-335 BL-C(2) or WW 748 all work good.

Ive considered these, and I do use them, but for the 55-62gr only. Im really wanting an "Extreme" powder because I shoot all year long here in Idaho, and we have some crazy temp swings between seasons.

That being said, I was torn between H322 and Benchmark purely for the super short extruded kernels. I just loaded up a ladder of the H322 and will be testing this afternoon. Wont know anything until I get the ladder out of the way and load for some groups in whatever nodes pop up.

Thanks!

 

[winniedonkey]

I have only used it with the 55gr bullets and quickly found it is very easy to work with and gave me good velocities and very easy load work up. Used on my gassers.

 

[3-0-hate]

Good info.. The projos Im shooting are Hex-Boron coated, so Im going to loose velocity, due to the reduced friction. Part of the reason I went with H322 is case fill and velocity. Hoping it works. Heading out to shoot the ladder in about 10 mins or so. I will report back.

 

[FLIGHT762]

IMR 8208 XBR. It is marketed under the IMR brand, but it is a Extreme powder manufactured by ADI in Australia , same as the other Hodgdon Extreme powders. Works great with the 75-77 weight bullets. It has short kernels and meters easily.

 

[3-0-hate]

Well, ladder test done.. With such a short window of load data on Hodgdons website (20gr start-22gr max), I loaded up in .3 grain increments and went .7gr over book. Didn't really find the kind of flat spot nodes I was hoping for..

I may revisit this with another ladder test in .2 grain increments or even .1.. Dont know what I would likely find different though..

Maybe Ill bite the bullet and grab some Benchmark and some 8208 XBR and try those also.. Velocity was good enough though with the H322.. If I can get into some single digit SD's, I will be happy enough.

 

[cornhusker86]

I use Varget and H4895 for the 75's. 8208 for the 68-69 grainers.

 

[Onyx Z]

H322 is a pretty fast burning powder, but it works very well for both 69 and 75/77gr pills. Try at or very near max Hodgdon charges and you should be pleasantly surprised. As always, YMMV.

 

[Idaho-5R]

Well, others here & on other websites sing the praises of IMR8208xbr with heavier 223 bullets. I'm working on loading for a new Rainier Ultra Match 1-7.5 twist 223 Wylde barrel on a new AR upper. I have several hundred 77 SMK's, & 77 Nosler CC's. For powders I have Varget, 8208, H335, H322, W748 , Benchmark & others...... I'd love to hear of others experiences with H322, & 8208. Thanks in advance!!!!!

 

[3-0-hate]

My main reason for looking at the faster powders like H322 and Benchmark was 2 fold. First, they are super short cut extrusions of powder so they meter almost like ball powders. Second, I was running out of room in my Lapua 223 cases for Varget, to get the speeds I was looking for.

If I can get down into the single digit SD's, with accuracy to match, I will be happy.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

Second, I was running out of room in my Lapua 223 cases for Varget, to get the speeds I was looking for.

Drop Tube,....

 

[mcfred]

OP, what amount of velocity variation is acceptable to you? Hot/cold environmental conditions have greater affect on density altitude and trajectory than velocity variation on "temperature sensitive" powders. How sensitive a powder is is easy to test your ammo with a cooler with ice and another cooler with a hot water bottle.

For my cheap .223 Rem load using 69SMKs and 77SMKs and BLC2 for the local LR steel matches, speculating that there's a 40fps difference between my "cold" and "hot" ammo translates to 0.1 Mil difference at 550 yards (the average shot distance). If it's cold I just round up my dope and hold high of center, if it's hot I round down and hold low of center. With my inferior equipment and cartridge I routinely place in the top third among 30ish people shooting "real" guns and cartidges (6BR, 6.5 C'moor, 6.5 Addiction, etc.) shooting between 330 yards and 850.

There's perfect ammo, and there's good enough ammo. I go for good enough ammo.

2¢

 

[Friar]

I'm seeing some good groups with N540 & TAC with the 77 gr. Tipped Match Kings.

Tikka TAC A1 20" barrel & 1in 8" twist.

 

[3-0-hate]

OP, what amount of velocity variation is acceptable to you? Hot/cold environmental conditions have greater affect on density altitude and trajectory than velocity variation on "temperature sensitive" powders. How sensitive a powder is is easy to test your ammo with a cooler with ice and another cooler with a hot water bottle.

...

2¢

I appreciate your 2¢.

The reasoning for choosing a temp stable powder is 2 fold. First, I’m weary of pressure changes due to temps because I like to shoot pretty close to max before pressure signs in my gas guns and I just don’t want to risk having an over pressure issue. I usually do my load development this time of year when it’s in the 30’s to 40’s, sometimes colder. Some of our matches are shot in the 100’s. Too much of a swing to want to shoot an unstable powder.

Second, I just like reducing as many variables as possible. I’m simple and lazy that way. Haha.

 

[rweaver00geo]

8208 works good small kernels and is temp stable. 23.2 grains gave me 2680 fps out of an 18" barrel and single digit sd. I worked up to 23.6 and probably could have went a little more. Im a fan of benchmark, tried it with the 69 and 68 but not 77. For pure speed AA2520 got me close to 2900

 

[FCS]

H4895 with 75 / 77 is a winning combination for most ARs.

Benchmark works with 75 / 77 in longer freebore chambers, not as well if shorter freebore in my experience.

What length gas system?
What chamber?
What barrel blank?

 

[pyrotechnic]

I've had good luck with H322 under a 75gr Hornady HPBT in my AR's. I can't remember the charge weight off the top of my head but I want to say it was roughly 0.2 gr under the book max. It meters well enough so I dispense by volume.

 

[3-0-hate]

H4895 with 75 / 77 is a winning combination for most ARs.

Benchmark works with 75 / 77 in longer freebore chambers, not as well if shorter freebore in my experience.

What length gas system?
What chamber?
What barrel blank?

Its a 20", rifle length stainless 5R barrel with a wylde chamber, sold under the AR Stoner brand at Midway. Its been decent enough with factory Hornady match loads producing MOA or just under MOA groups. It's time to tune a load for this rifle for PRS now though. Hopi b to get 1/2 to 3/4 MOA out of it consistently. I'll be happy with that.

 

[3-0-hate]

I've had good luck with H322 under a 75gr Hornady HPBT in my AR's. I can't remember the charge weight off the top of my head but I want to say it was roughly 0.2 gr under the book max. It meters well enough so I dispense by volume.

What velocities are you experiencing with that combo?

 

[FCS]

8208 or H4895 would be my suggestion for powders.

 

[3-0-hate]

8208 or H4895 would be my suggestion for powders.

I will give 8208 a go! Thanks for the info!

 

[pyrotechnic]

What velocities are you experiencing with that combo?

I don't have the info handy, but I think it was around 2650 out of a 16" tube. Nothing spectacular.

 

[Onyx Z]

My main reason for looking at the faster powders like H322 and Benchmark was 2 fold. First, they are super short cut extrusions of powder so they meter almost like ball powders. Second, I was running out of room in my Lapua 223 cases for Varget, to get the speeds I was looking for.

If I can get down into the single digit SD's, with accuracy to match, I will be happy.

I'm telling you, H322 is a great powder for heavies. 21.7gr with 77gr pills and 22.9gr with 69gr pills should put you right where you want.

 

[Wormydog1724]

I'm telling you, H322 is a great powder for heavies. 21.7gr with 77gr pills and 22.9gr with 69gr pills should put you right where you want.

I’ll echo this. For me it’s been 21.6gr with 77gr SMK and 23.0gr with 68gr BTHP.
I have some 75gr BTHP being delivered this week and I’m thinking it’ll be around that 21.6-22.0 range.

Those that say H322 isn’t good for .223 heavies makes me think they haven’t tried it. I use it for 40gr vmax, 50gr vmax, 55gr vmax, 60gr vmax, and the aforementioned 68gr BTHP and 77gr SMK. Maybe I’m just lazy for not stocking three different powders for each bullet but... H322 works.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I’ll second the 8208 with 69s. I have a stupid accurate load I stumbled on that shoots in .3s. It’s a low node so I’m working on locating a higher one but very happy with how it shoots.