.223 reload seems wrong

[BKTJ]

The 6.8 with the lighter bullets are not compressed. I am loading 1/2 gr over max on the 6.8 as most of the data is for the 1in10" twist with the SPCI chamber. The guns with the newer SPC II chamber and 1in11" are a totally diff animal. The loads are on the mild side as they don't know what twist and chamber you have. I have the newer proper barrels. Actually if you look at the data sheets they specify the loads are for the 1in 10 twist barrels.
Back to the 223 I use Hodgdon Varget for the heavy bullets (usually 68 or 69gr), but I have the imr4198 and it works well.
Now if one of you would like to send me 8lb of the H335 I would be glad to give it further trials. I'll give you a detailed report in exchange.

TJ

[djslik]

Actually the only reason I chose the IMR 4198 was it was recommended at the MiWall booth. I looked up the Hodgon's book they had there and decided to give it a shot. I just got back into reloading after giving it up a few years back since it was cheaper to buy ammo and took less time. But with the economy the way it is, the shortage on ammo, and the fact that I have more accurate rifles now than I used to including my White Oak Armament Varmint AR I wanted to get back into reloading. If you guys have a better suggestion on locally available powder that works with standard 55gr bullets on Remington brass non crimped from brassman brass I would love to know. I'm not sure my brass is military brass now that I think about it. Brassmanbrass refered to it as non-crimped remington. Everything else they sell is crimped which is why I assumed military brass, but maybe it's commercial brass.

[abalone hunter]

i am useing 24.4 of imr 3031 and am getting 3150 plus

[BKTJ]

There is no really inexpensive powder. Use what you have, what works well for my guns might not work so well in yours. I use imr4198 in anything 55gr and less, it works well.

TJ

[freakshow10mm]

I run Varget with everything. Clean, versatile, tolerant.

Think of Varget as the "Unique" of rifle powders.

[BKTJ]

Varget is my go to powder for the heavy 223. It really likes the 68 to 77 gr loads. It doesn't seem to work as well as 4198 with the lite bullets.

TJ

[djslik]

I am finding that my Hornady case activated powder drop system does not like the long grain powder like IMR 4198. I called Hornady and they said that the powder drop will have to break through the grains which causes resistance. They suggested moving to a ball or short grain powder like Winchester 748 for .223 Remington. Are you guys familiar with that powder and how does it perform.

[freakshow10mm]

Ball powder meters like sand (good thing).