Fast 223 powders

trg42wraglefragle · April 13, 2014, 11:05 PM

Anyone here using either VV N133 or ADI Benchmark 1 in their 223?
I was looking for the best velocity I could with a 53gr Vmax and these two powders seemed to be what most were using (meant to be pretty much same powder), with 25.4gr im getting good accuracy but only 3230fps from a 24" barrel, I tried up too 26.5gr and that was only just 3300fps.

Is my barrel just slower than others I've read about, as 3400+ seemed to common with these powders and the 53gr bullet.

I think I will just keep the load I have, but I'm curious.

Jimro · April 14, 2014, 09:48 AM

Never used either of those powders, but I've shot a bunch of M193 issue ammunition from M16s. The 55gr bullet at 3300 fps is spec'd at 53k psi (SAAMI measure method) from a 20" barrel so it seems like you are right in the ballpark for sweet ballistics without excess pressure.

IMR4198 is just a hair slower on the burn rate chart under N133, so I'd expect excellent performance especially when combined with a 53gr match bullet.

Keep us informed with how accuracy is working for you.

Jimro

Jim243 · April 15, 2014, 10:12 AM

trg, you need to understand that for higher velocity you need SLOWER powder not faster or more of the same. Slower powder lets the pressure build up higher before the bullet moves so you get faster (higher) velocity.

Try H-4895 or IMR-4895.

Jim

MEATSAW · April 15, 2014, 01:42 PM

Quote:

you need to understand that for higher velocity you need SLOWER powder not faster

Not always. Like anything it all depends on your gun, and your chosen components. Browse through the loading manuals and you will find that the slowest powders are not always the fastest velocity producing ones, but sometimes they are.

trg42wraglefragle · April 16, 2014, 01:07 AM

I thought I might also add that my gun shoots Hornady training ammo which is meant too be 3240fps from a 24" barrel at only 3050-3100.

I would consider trying a new powder, but will stick with my current load for a little while.

Would it be the conditions I shoot in, or just that my gun shoots slower than others.

Jim243 · April 16, 2014, 01:49 AM

The Hornady 8th edition shows both those powders topping out at 3,200 fps with a 53 grain V-Max bullet # 22265 set to 2.240 OAL. If you want to push it to 3,400 fps the book says to use IMR 3031 at 25.5 gains (max).

I don't think your gun is slower than normal.

Quote:

Would it be the conditions I shoot in,

That it could be depending on altitude, water vapor in the air and temp.

Jim

trg42wraglefragle · April 16, 2014, 03:11 AM

Thanks jim243.

That's interesting that it says IMR3031 should be faster, as according to the ADI website, Benchmark 2 is about the same burn rate, but I have tried that powder before and I don't think it was faster than the Benchmark 1 I'm using now. I think just under 3200.

Then I was using an COAL of 2.25 but my current load is 2.28.
I've used CCI 400 primers for both. Should I perhaps try different primers?

A mate has some ADI 2206H which should be the same as IMR4895, perhaps I will load up some ammo with BM2 and 2206H at a few different powder weights and see which powder seems to be the fastest. Considering I have access to these 3 ADI powders, shouldn't be to hard/expensive.

April 13, 2014, 11:05 PM	#1
trg42wraglefragle Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: new zealand Posts: 856	Fast 223 powders Anyone here using either VV N133 or ADI Benchmark 1 in their 223? I was looking for the best velocity I could with a 53gr Vmax and these two powders seemed to be what most were using (meant to be pretty much same powder), with 25.4gr im getting good accuracy but only 3230fps from a 24" barrel, I tried up too 26.5gr and that was only just 3300fps. Is my barrel just slower than others I've read about, as 3400+ seemed to common with these powders and the 53gr bullet. I think I will just keep the load I have, but I'm curious.

April 14, 2014, 09:48 AM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Never used either of those powders, but I've shot a bunch of M193 issue ammunition from M16s. The 55gr bullet at 3300 fps is spec'd at 53k psi (SAAMI measure method) from a 20" barrel so it seems like you are right in the ballpark for sweet ballistics without excess pressure. IMR4198 is just a hair slower on the burn rate chart under N133, so I'd expect excellent performance especially when combined with a 53gr match bullet. Keep us informed with how accuracy is working for you. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

April 15, 2014, 10:12 AM	#3
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	trg, you need to understand that for higher velocity you need SLOWER powder not faster or more of the same. Slower powder lets the pressure build up higher before the bullet moves so you get faster (higher) velocity. Try H-4895 or IMR-4895. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

April 16, 2014, 01:07 AM	#5
trg42wraglefragle Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: new zealand Posts: 856	I thought I might also add that my gun shoots Hornady training ammo which is meant too be 3240fps from a 24" barrel at only 3050-3100. I would consider trying a new powder, but will stick with my current load for a little while. Would it be the conditions I shoot in, or just that my gun shoots slower than others.

April 16, 2014, 03:11 AM	#7
trg42wraglefragle Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: new zealand Posts: 856	Thanks jim243. That's interesting that it says IMR3031 should be faster, as according to the ADI website, Benchmark 2 is about the same burn rate, but I have tried that powder before and I don't think it was faster than the Benchmark 1 I'm using now. I think just under 3200. Then I was using an COAL of 2.25 but my current load is 2.28. I've used CCI 400 primers for both. Should I perhaps try different primers? A mate has some ADI 2206H which should be the same as IMR4895, perhaps I will load up some ammo with BM2 and 2206H at a few different powder weights and see which powder seems to be the fastest. Considering I have access to these 3 ADI powders, shouldn't be to hard/expensive.