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Joined: Nov 2008
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2008
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Benchmark, then H335, then varget.
Swifty
Swifty
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2002
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Good info guys, Tac,Benchmark and H4895 seem to be favorites, H335 seems like another favorite but have read that some have had pressure issues in hot weather has anyone here had any issues?
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,177 Likes: 20
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,177 Likes: 20 |
Yeah, 335 can definitely get touchy in hot weather, especially when shooting prairie dogs or other small rodents. I used to run it all the time, but also found it dirty-burning, though it may have improved since then. When TAC appeared I switched over, as it's very clean-burning and about as temp-resistant as any powder made, at least in my tests. Benchmark is also great, as it's about the fastest powder for bullets in the 40-55 grain range, and also clean-burning. It's extruded, but has very small granules so meters fine.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884 |
Do you find that TAC keeps the copper away better than Benchmark, over long strings of fire?
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,806
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 12,806 |
I have had great results with Varget with everything from 55-75gn bullets. And even 50gr and 75gr+ bullets. With 50, 52, 53 & 55gr, just load the case up even with the mouth and seat the bullet. Varget is the no-brainer for .223.
Islam is a terrorist organization.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
H335 seems like another favorite but have read that some have had pressure issues in hot weather has anyone here had any issues? I have...same scenario every time...sustained firing creates a hot gun/barrel/chamber. A fresh round is chambered and a shot opportunity doesnt show up for 2-3 minutes....allowed to sit in a hot chamber, pressures go through the roof... soooooooo H335 is out for PDs and Gophs...but in for deer in my .223AI
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,878 Likes: 8
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,878 Likes: 8 |
H 335 is the only powder I've ever had trouble with, and that was in a 223.. and that problem showed its head twice...
and since I have the philosophy that it is harder to find a powder that doesn't work well in a 223, than it is to find one that works 'the best'...I have a million other choices over H 335...
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,177 Likes: 20 |
DakotaDeer,
I haven't done any direct comparisons between TAC and Benchmark over a long string of shooting, but have used TAC considerably in a number of varmint rifles over the last decade or so, including the .17 Fireball, .204 Ruger along with the .223. It does seem to result in less copper fouling than other powders, and the benefit is even greater when used in a barrel that's been treated with Dyna Bore-Coat.
The routine at prairie dog/gopher shoots when I first started burning a lot of ammo on rodents in the 1980's was for everybody to get back to the motel or camp and start cleaning barrels immediately. Often we'd even have to clean 'em during the day, if the shooting was furious enough.
But I don't usually bother cleaning my rodent rifles even on a 2-3 day shoot anymore, since sticking to cleaner-burning powders and using DBC, since they shoot just as accurately after hundreds of rounds as they did at the start. There are exceptions, such as my .221 Fireball, which shoots best with Li'l Gun, not the cleanest-burning powder in the world. But That rifle's been DBC'd now, and the most "cleaning" I do during is run a few Hoppe's soaked patches through it to knock out the powder fouling--which also comes out easier once the bore's been treated with DBC.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,130
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2002
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Alot of good info thanks guys!
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,697 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2008
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MD, I dont notice alot of fouling using Benchmark, carbon or copper. Very clean burning powder, unlike 335. I get as good of velocity, and groups from it as I did with H335, but have found that it is a little more predictable in hot weather. Most of my shooting is in 50 round sessions per rifle with 25 shots being fired for group in 30 minutes, which pretty much mirrors what I would do in a match. I have not tryed TAC yet as BM works really well in my Varmint rifles including my 22.250 & Swift. But I wouldnt suggest it in the Swift on a hot day if you are faint of heart. Dont know about DBC, but did play with moly (PIA) was a bad idea. BM in your weight ranges is excellent. Meters very well indeed.
Swifty
Swifty
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 60,177 Likes: 20 |
Yeah, Benchmark is very clean-burning--which also helps with copper-fouling. It's a little fast for the Swift, though, which is prrobably why you're getting some higher pressures on hot days. Even the most temp-resistant powders get a little wonky when taken out of their ideal applications.
I've had great luck in the Swift with Ramshot Hunter and 55's.
Moly is VERY different than DBC. For one thing, it reduces fouling of all kinds, rather than producing it's own. Plus, you only apply it once to the bore, and it lasts the life of the bore.
“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21,972
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21,972 |
H335 seems like another favorite but have read that some have had pressure issues in hot weather has anyone here had any issues? I have...same scenario every time...sustained firing creates a hot gun/barrel/chamber. A fresh round is chambered and a shot opportunity doesnt show up for 2-3 minutes....allowed to sit in a hot chamber, pressures go through the roof... soooooooo H335 is out for PDs and Gophs...but in for deer in my .223AI Found the same thing with TAC; it pays to work up loads in the hottest weather, the hottest you'd get the gun to be safe, with ANY powder! But you already knew that...
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 30,909 Likes: 20 |
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 19,722
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 19,722 |
Their are no best all around powders only compromises.
NRA Lifetime Member
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,663 Likes: 5
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 29,663 Likes: 5 |
My AR likes H335 quite a lot, but TAC is well worth a try there...
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Joined: Mar 2012
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New Member
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New Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 18 |
Their are no best all around powders only compromises. Why is there a need to inject political biases into an abstract discussion of which powder is better in a .223? I'm a gun nut, however the NRA doesn't dictate my common sense. What has our current president done to curtail current gun laws? Please, don't spout talking point, yet point to real facts. This type of stupidity is exactly why I question the real underlying motives. The NRA thrives under President Obama because of mis-informed, gun-loving bigots!
Last edited by Earl48; 04/11/12.
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,130
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
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What happened....
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 398
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
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Posts: 398 |
Hey, don't bring race into this..... (just kidding, ?????)
It's all in the reflexes.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,918 |
8208xbr. It is awesome out of my heavy barrel 223 hows.
guns to me are like legal crack
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