I'm seeking a load delivering 3250 fps from the .223Rem in a 20-inch barrel. I want to replicate the military load so I can use a BDC scope developed around that velocity. Any suggestions? Thanks.

A quick trip to ammoguide.com shows 23.5 grains of AA2200DP will give me 3265fps. I'd load to 22.0 and try it. Is there any other recipe with which anybody else has experience? I have eight pounds of H322 on hand.

55gr bullets?
I`d try Varget or W748 but I think you`ll have a rough time getting 55gr bullets to go 3250 from a 20" tube at normal pressure. I had no trouble driving 55gr BTs at just over 3300fps with W748 from a 26" but 6" makes a difference... IMO

My secret powder for speed without pressure in the .223 on an AR platform is VV 530.

the highest velocity powders per barrle length that I have read about is the AA-powders. like AA2230 or AA2015BR.. wjth the same length barrle it shows about 150 to 200 fps faster than the other powder listed. i have not shot any over the chroney to see. but, the " book " shows around 3364 fps with AA2015BR with a 24"

The milspec load is 28.5gr of WC844. I've tried to replicate it with Federal Brass, but run into pressure issues before I get there....At some point I plan to try it with Winchester or S&B brass and see if I have better luck with them.

h335

quote:

Originally posted by Antelope Sniper:

The milspec load is 28.5gr of WC844. I've tried to replicate it with Federal Brass, but run into pressure issues before I get there....At some point I plan to try it with Winchester or S&B brass and see if I have better luck with them.

How does the military do it? I have tons of once-fired military brass, if that means anything. I do have an AR with a 24-inch barrel.

I'm looking at the Nikon M-223 scope. It is supposed to be compensated for a load providing 3250 fps. I figured Nikon designed it for 20-inch barrels. There is a video of the scope being used on the Nikon website in guns of varying barrel lengths. Target acquisition is fast and hits on the twelve-inch gongs are like shots across the chops from Sugar Ray Leonard. The misses were probably edited out...

How does the military do it? They only plan on using their brass once. Seriously. If you only use it once, then running 55,000 to 60,000 on the old copper unit scale presents no problem in heavy military brass.

H335 is the cannister name for WC-844. This powder was originally developed for the .223 case and I've found it to provide the most favorable velocity/pressure ratio in cartridges of this and similar capacity (I use it in a half-dozen rifles chambered variously for .222, .223, and .222 Magnum).

However, I concur that attempting to achieve 3265 fps from a 20 inch barrel will put a strain on things.

The military has 2 milspec loads for the m193
first is 28.5gr of WC844
second is 26.5 gr of CNR170
The load for the 55gr tracers is 25.3gr of IMR 8208
All 3 are supposed to run 52,000 psi.

I load H335 and shoot it out of a 20" barrel. Generally chronos a/b 3150. Despite my findings, Sierra says you can get 3300fps w/ max charges of VV N130, VV N135, H335 and H4895. It says these are for a bolt action w a 24" barrel. 6mmbr.com has alot of info you might find informative in this regard.

Thanks to all who have replied. This is quite an interesting topic. Looks like I can't reliably get 3250 fps without a new powder and new, sacrificial brass. Maybe I should abandon this idea and buying of the Nikon scope. Doesn't seem feasible...

BlC-2 ,Varget ,H4895 are your only options with 55 grain pills . Varget with a compressed load 27.5 Grns !.

WORK UP SLOWLY and keep an eye out for pressure !. All those powder push 3300 Plus and Varget jumps

at 3400 . Throat erosion increases also !!!.

AS someone else mentioned, back when I was reloading for by Stevens .223, I was getting my best performance using AA2230.

<tap tap tap>
this thing on? WC844 is the bulk name for NEARLY h335 (canister grade) .. though i find the 2 lots i have had of WC844 to be a tad faster than normal h335