Remington 700VS .223 loads

tim · February 19, 2001, 07:16 PM

I have a new 700VS in .223 and tried using W748 with not to great results. I have some RE-7 around that I use for 7.62x39 loads, so I tried it at 21 grs with Speer 50gr TNT HP and got some decent groups. Any recommendations before I go out and buy some Hodgdon H335? Thanks in advance for any help.

Reg · February 19, 2001, 07:42 PM

You haven't mentioned exactly what you have tried with your reloads using W748. Different seating depths, powder charges, different bullets, etc? I have found W748 to work extremely well in my .223 reloads. Maybe with some more experimenting you will find a combination with W748 that works very well for you too.... don't give up too quick!
That being said, maybe it just won't work as well for you as some other combinations will.

I have had very good success with IMR4198 and BLC2 in addition to W748.
In fact, the above 3 powders are working so well (and I have quite a supply of them) that I have not yet got around to trying all the other great .223 powders that are out there.

H335 is one that I have heard good things about, along with about a half dozen others.

A lot of the fun in this whole reloading hobby is experimenting with new combinations.... have fun!!

WalterGAII · February 19, 2001, 09:00 PM

I've used a bunch of H335 with my VS .223, with good results. The last group that I measured was .246", five shots, 100 yds.

I also have great results at great economy, using AA2200.

Hutch · February 20, 2001, 10:35 AM

Walter, what bullet were you using in the VS with H335?

WalterGAII · February 20, 2001, 10:42 AM

Hutch: That particular group to which I referred was with 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips. I've also used 40gr to 60gr. with good results. The twist in the VS isn't tight enough to handle the heavy bullets.

I've also had good success with V-Maxes; Blitzkings; Bergers; and Sierra Match.

Suggest that you check out benchrest.com and varminthunters.com. Those guys know rifles, and a lot of them use Rems.

One of the most important reloading tools that you can use is the Stoney Point tool for measuring o.a.l. Get the tool and start with your bullets just off the lands, maybe .005", and work out, until you see what o.a.l. gives the best groups. Seating depth is REALLY important to accuracy.

banjobart · February 20, 2001, 11:03 AM

Try H-335 with 40-55 grain bullets. It is the best match for many bullets concerning accuracy and velocity. I shoot 27.5 grains of H-335 with a 50 grain V-Max or 50 grain Ballistic Tip for a velocity around 3500 FPS in a Remington VSSF.

February 19, 2001, 07:16 PM	#1
tim Member Join Date: December 16, 1998 Location: kent, wa Posts: 31	I have a new 700VS in .223 and tried using W748 with not to great results. I have some RE-7 around that I use for 7.62x39 loads, so I tried it at 21 grs with Speer 50gr TNT HP and got some decent groups. Any recommendations before I go out and buy some Hodgdon H335? Thanks in advance for any help.

February 19, 2001, 07:42 PM	#2
Reg Member Join Date: January 13, 2000 Posts: 54	You haven't mentioned exactly what you have tried with your reloads using W748. Different seating depths, powder charges, different bullets, etc? I have found W748 to work extremely well in my .223 reloads. Maybe with some more experimenting you will find a combination with W748 that works very well for you too.... don't give up too quick! That being said, maybe it just won't work as well for you as some other combinations will. I have had very good success with IMR4198 and BLC2 in addition to W748. In fact, the above 3 powders are working so well (and I have quite a supply of them) that I have not yet got around to trying all the other great .223 powders that are out there. H335 is one that I have heard good things about, along with about a half dozen others. A lot of the fun in this whole reloading hobby is experimenting with new combinations.... have fun!!

February 19, 2001, 09:00 PM	#3
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	I've used a bunch of H335 with my VS .223, with good results. The last group that I measured was .246", five shots, 100 yds. I also have great results at great economy, using AA2200.

February 20, 2001, 10:35 AM	#4
Hutch Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 1,124	Walter, what bullet were you using in the VS with H335?

February 20, 2001, 10:42 AM	#5
WalterGAII Junior member Join Date: November 7, 1999 Posts: 1,516	Hutch: That particular group to which I referred was with 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips. I've also used 40gr to 60gr. with good results. The twist in the VS isn't tight enough to handle the heavy bullets. I've also had good success with V-Maxes; Blitzkings; Bergers; and Sierra Match. Suggest that you check out benchrest.com and varminthunters.com. Those guys know rifles, and a lot of them use Rems. One of the most important reloading tools that you can use is the Stoney Point tool for measuring o.a.l. Get the tool and start with your bullets just off the lands, maybe .005", and work out, until you see what o.a.l. gives the best groups. Seating depth is REALLY important to accuracy.

February 20, 2001, 11:03 AM	#6
banjobart Senior Member Join Date: February 17, 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 188	Try H-335 with 40-55 grain bullets. It is the best match for many bullets concerning accuracy and velocity. I shoot 27.5 grains of H-335 with a 50 grain V-Max or 50 grain Ballistic Tip for a velocity around 3500 FPS in a Remington VSSF.