Reloading question using winchester 748 ball powder

[John Haberman]

I'm trying winchester 748 for the first time because my basic RCBS powder dispenser has a hard time with varget. So far the 748 pours through like water, but i noticed that my speers loading manual calls for magnum primers for both the 223 and the 308... is this necessary.. these are just target loads.. some help pls..thx john

[shooterbill]

I have used alot of 748. It's my go to powder for 223 and 30-30. Speer uses magnum primers for ball powder all the time. I haven't needed to. Ignition with standard primers have been fine. Speer has more ways to measure pressures than I do.

[John Haberman]

Thanks shooterbill, i just wanted to be sure as I couldnt find anything that said it had to be a magnum primer except the speer book..thx john

[Colt562]

I use W748 for 223. All I use is Winchester Small Rifle Primers, works like a dream.

This is my recipe

24.5 gn W748
Win SRP
Winchester Brass
Win. 224 55 gn FMJBT

[bfoosh006]

Just a few comments... First, Varget is beyond a doubt one of the most difficult powders to try and run through a powder measure.
Winchester recommends SRM because their ball powder is "harder" to ignite, I have always heard, that the SRM primer assures proper ignition in colder temps.
I have had spooky pressure signs with 748 and BL-C2 at max. loads and hot ambient temperatures.

Sooooo.... if you plan on using these loads during either of those conditions adjust your loads as needed.

[phish]

You could also try Remington 7.5 primers. They are on the warmer side and have thicker cups.

[Wrangler John]

Uh, I don't want to seem like a know-it-all, but I use Varget with an old Redding powder measure, an old - really old - RCBS Uniflow measure, a new RCBS Chargemaster measure and a recent Hornady L&L measure and I get Varget charges that vary less than .1 of a grain. The Redding measure has a baffle inside the reservoir to even out charge column weight, which makes for more uniform results. Baffles are available for the RCBS measures as an accessory. For measures without a baffle I just place a powder funnel on top of the powder reservoir and fill it with powder, keeping it full while loading, works the same. I also run a bit of powdered graphite through the measure ahead of loading to dissipate any static charge and provide lubrication for the powder. A .1 grain on either side isn't going to make much difference in performance with the average sporting rifle, especially a semiautomatic.

I really like Varget, it's a great powder, so danged consistent it works in about any varmint cartridge.

Standard primers are all that is needed to ignite W-748, but some primers are more brisant than others. Here is a study about primers, scroll down to about the middle and the photos of the flame tell a story. http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com...mer-study.html Generally, you may find best results in larger cases with the most brisant primers, while only experimentation will reveal which works best in any given application. I really like Wolf primers, but they can require greater seating force.

[hanover67]

like Colt562, I use WIN 748 and Winchester small rifle primers in a .223 match rifle with excellent results with the Sierra 52gr HPBT match bullet.

[Kokopelli]

I've never had a problem lighting 748 using Winchester rifle primers.

[Pete1979]

Ive used a ton of 748 in 223 with standard SRP, no issues but find it dirty in 308. I wonder if a magnum primer would clean it up a bit...

[Divernhunter]

I always use mag primers with 748 in my 223 and 308 loadings. I have for many years. I have not had pressure troubles in hot weather and I shoot max loads in 115+* temps as well as freezing temps. I found the mag primers really shrunk groups in my daughters 257Roberts with ball powder.

[John Haberman]

** Update with the Winchester 748 powder **
Shot at Burro Canyon this last friday w both .223 and 308 reloaded w 748 using standard primers.. it was a total success and i am now going to switch from varget just due to the ease of dispensing the powder. As far as accuracy goes i saw no real difference.. but I'm not reloading match style rounds.. just plinking stuff. thx for all the input John