Using Win 748 Powder in .223 with 75-77gr bullets?

[Beyschaefer]

I find myself trying to conserve the last couple pounds of Varget for my .308 rifle, and .223 bolt action....
So my new and hardly ever been fired since I finished assembling it AR (8" twist, 18", StagArms 3GHL upper), has been sitting around unloved.

I have several pounds of Win 748 that I'm not using for anything else..

Does anyone have personal experience with Win 748 and "heavy" 75-77gr bullets?
I know most loading manuals list it primarily with lighter (52-55 grain) bullets.

Worth a try? Or would it be more sensible to use lighter bullets with the 748 until I can acquire more Varget, and more bullets?

Thanks in advance for any experience!

 

[Dan Newberry]

You should find a good node between 23 and 24 grains... work up from 21...

W748 burns about the same as Varget, and it's a good 223 powder.

Dan

 

[Beyschaefer]

Thanks! That's what I was looking for.
The manuals have loads for all sorts of powders that don't actually shoot worth a darn. Nice to know if it actually works before I burn a pound finding that out.

 

[Montana Billy]

Hmmm...I have 5,000 primed cases of once-fired military brass, 5,000 Federal 62-grain "penetrator" projectiles and 24 pounds of Winchester 748. Will they make a decent combination? If so, any idea of a starting recipe? Thanks in advance for your help. I was thinking of starting at 25.0grains...

 

[Graham]

I'm not a fan of 748 with heavy bullets, or in temperature extremes. When very hot the pressures spike; when very cold it's harder to ignite well.

 

[Montana Billy]

Does 62-grain qualify as heavy bullet? I'd hate to just leave the 748--24 pounds--just sitting in the bunker...

 

[MontanaMarine]

I load 24.0gr W748 under Nosler 77gr BTHP.

2600-2650 fps from 16" Bushmaster 1/9, chrome lined, depending on season.