Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Heavy 223 - favorite load using the Hornady 75 gr HPBT

Thought I would see if anyone has a favorite load with this bullet. I have a white oak 1:7 in my AR, as well as a stock 1:9" in my Remington LTR. Both are good shooters and looking for some suggested loads to start with the Hornady.

Thanks,
Elk

I'm using 25 grains of TAC but work up of course. I'm thinking 2800+fps is what I was getting in my LTR but I don't have my notes here.

21.4 grains of H322, Hornady 75 grain HPBT, COAL 2.26
My best long range load.

These loads are safe in MY rifle. Do not try without working up from a safe charge.

24.0gr. of Ramshot TAC
or
24.5gr. of Varget
or
24.2gr. of RL-15

All MOA or better in my 3 match barreled AR's. The 77gr. SMK's shoot even better with these charges.

My notes showed 2908fps as an average in 80 degrees with Lapua brass, Fed 205M primer. 25grs of TAC was correct.

For the gas gun you can't beat 24 something grains of Varget or Re15. There's no reason to screw with anything else.

I'm glad this thread came up, I've got 2 AR's, one with a 16" 1-9", and a 20" 1-8" Neither will shoot this bullet. i've tried TAC, Benchmark, AR-COMP, looks like I need t try the RL-15.

I'd try Nosler and Sierra 77s before you go chasing powders. Any one of those powders ought to do the job. Although Benchmark is a little too quick for my liking, it can still turn in some good groups if you accept a little lower velocity. You may be out of luck with that 9 twist, but I'll bet that 8 twist will shoot one of those bullets.

BarryC, what velocity are you gettin with Varget and RL15? 20" barrel?

I shot moly for a long, long time, so most of my data is with that. I would get up to 2,750fps with Hornady 75s, and up to 2,660fps with S77s. I back off when I get soot coming out around the primers or more than mild scuffs for ejector wipes.

Naked, I run about 2,630fps with the Hornady and I was running about 2,500fps with Nosler 77s and 23.5gr of Varget. Then I bought some RE15 and I run a hotter load with it for no reason at all, but I haven't clocked it. My guess is it leaves at about 2,600fps.

This is with 20" Wilson barrels and Wylde chambers.

Reason I asked is you posted this and I thought you were getting something I never did with Varget, velocity.

An additional 200+fps seems plenty of reason to dump Varget and go to TAC, especially when accuracy is there also...

I was never able to get those velocities with TAC or N540. About 2750 is as high as I could get with 75 BTHPs, irrespective of powder.

I don't like smoked primers.