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Old April 11, 2012, 02:46 AM   #1
mwsenoj
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Powder selection for shorter bbls

I am shooting my 223 with a 20" bbl and I am just gettign ready to do some serious load dev. I was thinking about getting varget for the 69gr SMKs and 75gr AMax bullets I have but I was wondering if I would be better off with a slightly faster powder like IMR 4895 or Reloader 12. Any thoughts?
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Old April 11, 2012, 05:32 PM   #2
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I don't load those exact same bullets, but I do get great results with AA2230 behind a 65 grain Sierra, so you might try that powder behind the 69 grain Sierra you're shooting. My load for the 65 grain bullet is about 1 grain under max. My 223 isn't fond of Varget.
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Old April 11, 2012, 06:28 PM   #3
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20 inches isn't exactly "short" in the AR world. There are a lot of powders that will work with that barrel length, and the full length gas system is a bit more forgiving than a carbine or middy gas setup.

Of the two powders the OP listed, 4895 would be my choice if limited to those two powders. Lots of folks use Reloader 15 for those bullets. I use 2000-MR myself, although I've used 4064 in the past for the 69 grain bullets.

I'd give Hogdon CFE or Power Pro 1000 a shot, can't say for sure if they are the same powder or not, but they both came to the market at a similar time with the same copper fouling reduction additive...

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Old April 11, 2012, 06:57 PM   #4
mwsenoj
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I should have clarified better. I am shooting a Remmy 700 not an AR. I was doing my research on reloadersnest.com and their burn rate table. I hear so much about Varget and it is usually at the top of the tables in load manuals for the medium heavy bullets. I am getting ready to buy a keg or 2 and I am just wondering if a slightly faster burning powder would increase velocity in my 20" (if the std bbl is 24" mine is ~17% shorter - think if that were a midwayusa coupon )
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Old April 13, 2012, 07:31 AM   #5
William T. Watts
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before I purchased an 8 pound jug of powder I would pick up 1 or 2 pounds of it first to see if I liked it or not! William
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Old April 13, 2012, 07:45 AM   #6
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I would suggest a powder in the "middle" of the range. AA2230 or Ramshot Xterminator is fairly fast for a 64-69 grain bullet even in a 20". Imr 4895 would be on the slower end but quite useable in a bolt action IF you can get enough in the case to reach expected velocity. I only use ball powders in the .223 due to the increased accuracy of measuring but that's just my opinion.
I don't load anything above 55 grains in .223(buy my 69 grain match loads since I don't shoot many of those), therefore, my loading is usually with Xterminator or WCC844 and aimed at use in AR rifles. My bolt actions shoot almost anything 55 and under well regardless of powder used so the only thing I change for them is not crimping.
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Old April 13, 2012, 08:03 PM   #7
mwsenoj
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Well, I went ahead and ordered 8 lbs of Varget. It just has too much going for it - for example, I live in the hot hot desert and sometimes shoot in 110* weather or even hotter and knowing that my load will not change if I decide to go hunting up in the mountains nearby. It was a little pricey at $145 but, hey, its just money right???
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Old April 13, 2012, 10:47 PM   #8
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18 bucks a pound is not too bad where I'm from. At least you'll have enough for a good while.
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Old April 14, 2012, 12:37 AM   #9
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If your 700 has a standard 1in12 twist rate, it will not stabilize the 69 and 75 grain bullets you speak of.

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Old April 14, 2012, 02:38 AM   #10
mwsenoj
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Mr. A, the SPS series has faster twist bbls for "tactical rounds." Mine has a 1 in 9" twist. The 69 gr selections won't be a prob but the longer 75 gr VLD pills are pushing the envelope. I ordered some Berger and AMax bullets just to see if they will work and I am hoping that the higher velocities that Varget is supposed to deliver will boost the twist enough to make some load magic =)
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