27 May 2004, 07:39
Jay GorskiRe: Which powder for .223 69 grain bullets?
Varget, 26.5grs. of N540 is the accuracy load in the Sierra manual, but that stuff is sometimes hard to get. Jay
Trying to decide between three powders for Sierra 69 grain HPBT.
W748
H4895
Varget
Are their any pros and cons to any of them? Lots of real good loading data for all three combos.
My Sako 1:9 223 Remington is shooting sub-MOA with a book maximum charges of WW748 under the 69 grain Matchking (FWIW it likes the 60 grain V-Max a little better even), but I haven't tried other powders yet. Good hunting!
10 June 2004, 19:07
GodsdogI would choose WW 748. Some of the Benchrest boys were trying to keep a 75 or 80 gr. JLK Bullet Supersonic at 1000 yds and they suceeded shooting a 222 Rem Mag. case - a 75 gr. JLK over a load of WW748 ina 26" barrel with a 1 in 8" twist. I forget just exactly what the charge was but 748 is fairly progressive and seems to work well in a 223 size case with a heavier bullet and still keeps the pressure down. Godsdog.
14 June 2004, 21:02
Bobby TomekFor me, Re-15 has been the clear-cut winner with the 68-75 grain bullets. But I know that doesn't help as that's not one of the powders you've listed.
15 June 2004, 23:44
SanmanWell this one doesn't help either, but I'm having good luck using a midrange load of N133.
Rick
18 June 2004, 12:18
JStordahlA 24.5 to 25 grain charge of Varget will work well. Win. 748 works well, too. I use 26.5 grs. 748 with a 55 gr. Nosler and 24.5 grs. Varget for the 69 SMK.
19 June 2004, 15:26
RiverRatH4895, 748, and Varget work well. But I have found in my 223's with the 69 gr. Sierra, N540 is the best. I know quite a few across the course high power shooters have left Varget and H4895 behind and now shoot N540. And if you have a barrel with a fast enough twist, it works well with the 75 to 77 grain bullets in the 223.
May I be half the man my grandson thinks I am.....RiverRat