If you were loading .223 first time for your AR

tpcollins · June 30, 2012, 12:07 PM

The Federal 55gr V-Shok groups pretty nice in my 1:7" twist Colt AR but since I reload for .204 and .243, I thought what the heck. I've prepped 100 pcs of Winchester brass and I have a box of Sierra 60gr flat base HP that I think my twist will like and should be effective on coyotes.

I have both powders in H4895 (24.0 - 26.0C) and IMR-8208-XBR (21.5-23.6) and was wondering if one was better than the other for an AR? I was thinking of trying 3 each in about 5-6 increments of one or the other in these powders. Any reason to lean one way or the other for these two powders? Thanks.

rebs · June 30, 2012, 12:46 PM

I can't say as I haven't used either of those powders for my AR. I use H335 and am going to try Varget.

Jimro · June 30, 2012, 05:48 PM

Start with the 4895 at 24 grains and see if that doesn't give you nice tight groups.

Jimro

cataway · June 30, 2012, 06:43 PM

dont be afraid to try other powders

so far I've had no success with H335 but R15 ,varget and BL2 works very well

level10 · June 30, 2012, 06:51 PM

i have used 8208 with good results also varget is a safe bet

DeadCenter · June 30, 2012, 08:20 PM

I've never used IMR-8208-XBR, but load a lot of H4895 with V-Max bullets with good results.

rtpzwms · July 1, 2012, 01:53 AM

I just loaded a batch of 222 with CFE powder. It is designed for 223 it meters very well and is very consistent. I'll be shooting them tomorrow but I expect they should do well.

Rimfire5 · July 2, 2012, 10:22 AM

If you have a 1:7 twist, 55 grain bullets are probably at the edge of the accuracy window for your rifle. Some heavier bullet weights might surprise you with the improvement.

I would recommend trying some 65 to 77 grain bullets and see if they don't group even more accurately. Then again, every rifle is different.

You can get load data on the web from most powder manufacturers and most bullet manufacturers.

I have found that in a 1:7 twist AR HBAR, 77 grain Sierra Match Kings group the best. Velocity load and depth will depend on your rifle but the Sierra data is a pretty good to starting point.

tobnpr · July 4, 2012, 07:03 PM

8208 is very similar to H335 in burn rate, just a tad slower- we use it in our 6.5 Grendel loads. I prefer the extruded powders because of the temps here in Fl. I only use temp stable powders.

Don't discount Varget, either. It was our best powder for the Sierra 63 grain SMP.

Every rifle is different. You're not gonna know until you try. The flat base bullets are a good choice inside 300 yards.

mehavey · July 5, 2012, 06:22 AM

QuickLoad tells me 8208 and H4895 are pretty much 6-of-1/half-dozen-of-the-other for this particular
application: within 20 fps velocity and 1% difference in case-fill/burn completion.

I will tell you I use 8208 in the Grendel with incredibly good results, so do try it.

UtopiaTexasG19 · July 5, 2012, 09:50 AM

My AR with a 1:7 twist does not like the 55 grain bullets and I load H4895 with 62-65 grain bullets with great accuracy.

June 30, 2012, 12:07 PM	#1
tpcollins Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2009 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 558	If you were loading .223 first time for your AR The Federal 55gr V-Shok groups pretty nice in my 1:7" twist Colt AR but since I reload for .204 and .243, I thought what the heck. I've prepped 100 pcs of Winchester brass and I have a box of Sierra 60gr flat base HP that I think my twist will like and should be effective on coyotes. I have both powders in H4895 (24.0 - 26.0C) and IMR-8208-XBR (21.5-23.6) and was wondering if one was better than the other for an AR? I was thinking of trying 3 each in about 5-6 increments of one or the other in these powders. Any reason to lean one way or the other for these two powders? Thanks. __________________ What direction did that last shot at Kennedy come from?

June 30, 2012, 05:48 PM	#3
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Start with the 4895 at 24 grains and see if that doesn't give you nice tight groups. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

July 1, 2012, 01:53 AM	#7
rtpzwms Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2010 Location: OTS Posts: 1,035	I just loaded a batch of 222 with CFE powder. It is designed for 223 it meters very well and is very consistent. I'll be shooting them tomorrow but I expect they should do well. __________________ Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.

July 5, 2012, 06:22 AM	#10
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,894	QuickLoad tells me 8208 and H4895 are pretty much 6-of-1/half-dozen-of-the-other for this particular application: within 20 fps velocity and 1% difference in case-fill/burn completion. I will tell you I use 8208 in the Grendel with incredibly good results, so do try it. Last edited by mehavey; July 5, 2012 at 06:40 AM.

June 30, 2012, 12:46 PM	#2
rebs Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2012 Posts: 3,881	I can't say as I haven't used either of those powders for my AR. I use H335 and am going to try Varget.

June 30, 2012, 06:43 PM	#4
cataway Junior Member Join Date: December 10, 2011 Posts: 4	dont be afraid to try other powders so far I've had no success with H335 but R15 ,varget and BL2 works very well

June 30, 2012, 06:51 PM	#5
level10 Member Join Date: December 25, 2011 Posts: 32	i have used 8208 with good results also varget is a safe bet

June 30, 2012, 08:20 PM	#6
DeadCenter Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2006 Posts: 105	I've never used IMR-8208-XBR, but load a lot of H4895 with V-Max bullets with good results.

July 2, 2012, 10:22 AM	#8
Rimfire5 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 923	If you have a 1:7 twist, 55 grain bullets are probably at the edge of the accuracy window for your rifle. Some heavier bullet weights might surprise you with the improvement. I would recommend trying some 65 to 77 grain bullets and see if they don't group even more accurately. Then again, every rifle is different. You can get load data on the web from most powder manufacturers and most bullet manufacturers. I have found that in a 1:7 twist AR HBAR, 77 grain Sierra Match Kings group the best. Velocity load and depth will depend on your rifle but the Sierra data is a pretty good to starting point.

July 4, 2012, 07:03 PM	#9
tobnpr Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 4,556	8208 is very similar to H335 in burn rate, just a tad slower- we use it in our 6.5 Grendel loads. I prefer the extruded powders because of the temps here in Fl. I only use temp stable powders. Don't discount Varget, either. It was our best powder for the Sierra 63 grain SMP. Every rifle is different. You're not gonna know until you try. The flat base bullets are a good choice inside 300 yards.

July 5, 2012, 09:50 AM	#11
UtopiaTexasG19 Senior Member Join Date: July 3, 2011 Location: S.E. Texas Gulf Coast Posts: 743	My AR with a 1:7 twist does not like the 55 grain bullets and I load H4895 with 62-65 grain bullets with great accuracy.