Question for the precision loading pros

[Squeeze]

I've been hand loading for about 6 years now. Mostly for plinking with the handgun and AR platforms. I'll be looking to load some precision .223 rounds for my new AR upper. It will be an 18" SPR stainless barrel with a 1/7 twist. My bullet of choice to start will be the 75 grain Hornady A-Max. My question is, what powder would some of you recommend who shoot precision in .223/5.56? I am currently using TAC for my other loads and I have no complaints about the accuracy I get from it, but before I stick with that I would like to hear some other opinions. Thank you very much for your time & input.

[Beer]

[C Ward]

If I remember right because of bullet profile the 75 AMax can't be loaded to mag length in an AR.

Tac works fine . I'm using 2520 now with 77's , Varget is supposed to be magic but I load my 223 on a Dillon and stick powder doesn't meter for shit .

[TheBelly]

I use TAC or Benchmark.

[RANGERRON72]

Varget is the dominant choice among the competitive service rifle AR-15 shooters, and the above comment is correct, doesn't meter well........so I have a Redding BR-3 Match grade powder measure on station two of my Dillon 550.........I batch size/deprime all the same lot of brass (usually LC for 200/300 yard lines, trim on a Giraud trimmer, clean (wet with stainless media to include nice clean primer pockets) dry, then prime with CCI 41's with a Sinclair Stainless hand priming tool......... this gives me a batch of a couple thousand cases that are ready to drop the powder in, station 2, then station 3 on the Dillon seat the bullet (77gr SMK non Moly), and no crimp.......

I only go once fired for my match rounds, twice and three times loaded are for 100 and 200 yard practice..............

H-335 is my backup practice powder and was an original powder for the 223.........meters very well and the only reason why Varget is liked is for temp stability, where you are in the sun all day, and at the 600 yard line

600 Yard loads are Varget, with Lapua brass, same drill but seated on a RCBS Rock Chucker and a competition seating die...........

If you are shooting 3 gun, or some other less precision stuff, then you can probably modify some of my overly anal retentive charactaristics above, and have more time for shooting.........But the above keeps me out of trouble during the winter months.....

FWIW........

[esaabye]

Ron does much more work than I do. I have run tac, varget and r-15, all with good results under smk77 and 80. I currently only run varget with 77's because that is what I have. I am to lazy so only run 1 load for all lines and use a powder measure for all. With 24.5 varget I am getting 2775 ft/s which is hot. Some nice pet loads for heavy bullets at the link below.

i have yet to feel my ammo limits me and I post some good scores.

http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm

[Zombie Steve]

A pro I am not... but I'm partial to Varget... AA 2520 if you just have to have a ball powder.

A lot of guys like TAC for everything .223, but I've always done better with slower powders if I'm using a heavy bullet.

[Erni]

May I ask your opinion about W 748?

[Zombie Steve]

I haven't tried it. If it's like other Winchester powders I've used, it will be pretty temperature sensitive. Actually, I use WSF for .45 and it's reverse temp sensitive. Maybe someone that's used it will chime in.

[Tim K]

I currently only run varget with 77's because that is what I have. I am to lazy so only run 1 load for all lines and use a powder measure for all. With 24.5 varget I am getting 2775 ft/s which is hot.




I tried 24.5 grains of Varget under 77 SMK's and found it was killing primer pockets. It was superbly accurate, and I was getting about the same velocity. I'm now back at 24.0g and 2640 fps. I think I'm going to get 5 cycles out of LC brass.

[Frac]

My rifle likes 24.2 grains of Varget under a 77gr SMK at 2.260" COAL. Rem 7 1/2 primers. New Winchester brass trimmed at 1.750". Barrel is an 18" SPR profile WOA with a .223 Wylde chamber.

As always, work up to this or any load. My 5.56 NATO chambered DD 14.5" starts showing pressure signs at this loading.

[XC700116]

As mentioned, the amax is almost certainly not going to play well with an ar mag. And I personally load varget in my 223 heavies.