24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,210
F
fshaw Offline OP
Campfire Regular
OP Offline
Campfire Regular
F
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,210
What’s your favorite powder for heavier bullets in a 223? I’m shooting a Kimber Montana in 233 with a 9 twist so 77gr TMKs are about max weight/length for me. Looking for accuracy over speed. So far Varget seems to be the winner in my gun. Will bump 8208 by .5 gr for 1 last try.

Thanks.

Frank

BP-B2

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,795
O
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
O
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15,795
Have you tried CFE223 or BL-C(2)?


There are 2 rules to success:

1. Never tell everything that you know.
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 734
D
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
D
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 734
25gr's lvr with 75gr Hornady match BTHP. These are set to 2.360 for my TC Venture II. No load in the books yet. Start at 23 gr LVR in a AR at 2.250. CFE 223 works good as does blc-2. Reckon 77's would work good too but I get 75's so cheap, got enough till I die..


I would have got him too but a Dad Blam snow flake hit me in da eye....
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,629
S
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
S
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,629
Bought some 77 TMK's last week, haven't loaded them yet. Sierra's mobile app shows VV N140 for the accuracy load for both 77's so that is what I'll try. Sierra says they require 1-8 twist, but I think I'm just high enough that they'll stabilize in my 1-9, we'll see.


'Four legs good, two legs baaaad."
----------------------------------------------
"Jimmy, some of it's magic,
Some of it's tragic,
But I had a good life all the way."
(Jimmy Buffett)

SotG
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,586
S
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
S
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,586
Don't overlook H 322 or Benchmark, or good old RL 15, IMR 4064, IMR 4895, or IMR 3031....

I keep saying tho, its a lot hard to find a powder that doesn't work well in a 223, then it is to find one better than the rest of them.


"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

IC B2

Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,211
G
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
G
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46,211
CFE-223 and Power Pro Varmint are your friends.


Trump Won!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,727
B
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
B
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,727
AR Comp has worked well for me, along with RL15.
Originally Posted by Son_of_the_Gael
Bought some 77 TMK's last week, haven't loaded them yet. Sierra's mobile app shows VV N140 for the accuracy load for both 77's so that is what I'll try. Sierra says they require 1-8 twist, but I think I'm just high enough that they'll stabilize in my 1-9, we'll see.

They should stabilize at 100, but out to 400, its a gamble.. BTDT...


Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.

BSA MAGA
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,640
B
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
B
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,640
Originally Posted by Son_of_the_Gael
Bought some 77 TMK's last week, haven't loaded them yet. Sierra's mobile app shows VV N140 for the accuracy load for both 77's so that is what I'll try. Sierra says they require 1-8 twist, but I think I'm just high enough that they'll stabilize in my 1-9, we'll see.


Some of my friends swear by Vihta Vuori N140 and talked me into trying it.
It might just be the best powder for 70gr and heavier but I need to buy more of it for more testing.

Don't think the 77gr TMK's will work and guarantee the 75gr ELDM wont work, if you can try and find some 70gr VLD's, I know they will work

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,110
M
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
M
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,110
Originally Posted by fshaw
What’s your favorite powder for heavier bullets in a 223? I’m shooting a Kimber Montana in 233 with a 9 twist so 77gr TMKs are about max weight/length for me. Looking for accuracy over speed. So far Varget seems to be the winner in my gun. Will bump 8208 by .5 gr for 1 last try.
Thanks. Frank


I got excellent results with 22.5 grains of IMR 8208 XBR under Nosler 77 HPBT Custom Comps ignited by WSR primers in two different cases; all were 5-shot groups that went well under an moa. I also got good results with 22.5 grains of H-4895 under Nosler 77 HPBT Custom Comps ignited by Federal 205M primers in Win. cases but I only test fired one 5-shot group with that combo; it was also sub-moa.

Last edited by MT_DD_FAN; 09/09/21. Reason: corrected bullet style typo

Pursuit may be, it seems to me, perfect without possession.
Robert Kelley Weeks (1840-1876)
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 961
J
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
J
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 961
Just ask the Big Stick if you want to shoot a heavy bullet quick:) Hint:)


~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
IC B3

Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,096
T
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
T
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,096
I get good accuracy with the TMKs and Leverlution ala Bigstick. It’s a sinister hunting bullet that kills all out of proportion to its size. I’ve probably killed 3 dozen pigs of all sizes with them and they are awesome performers.

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,457
N
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
N
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 15,457
I’ve had good luck with CFE223


NRA Life,Endowment,Patron or Benefactor since '72.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 59,910
M
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
M
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 59,910
Like you, I have bad my best luck with Varget, though some of the others mentioned also can work with specific bullets and rifles.

Don't know how much the temperature varies in your shooting conditions, but in my testing LEVERevolution is pretty temp-sensitive.


“Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.”
John Steinbeck
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,135
1
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
1
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,135
Shot 10s of 1000's of 69 to 85s. In order it would be VV140, H4895, IMR 8208, Varget, Re15.

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,980
C
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
C
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,980
You are probably past the point of good stabilization, but try 8208 you will need as much speed as you can get Varget is too bulky, H4895 is better

Last edited by Castle_Rock; 09/10/21.
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,206
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 13,206
Either Varget or H4895 usually rise to the top for me.


Let's Go Brandon! FJB
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,727
B
Campfire 'Bwana
Offline
Campfire 'Bwana
B
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 47,727
Originally Posted by fshaw
What’s your favorite powder for heavier bullets in a 223? I’m shooting a Kimber Montana in 233 with a 9 twist so 77gr TMKs are about max weight/length for me. Looking for accuracy over speed. So far Varget seems to be the winner in my gun. Will bump 8208 by .5 gr for 1 last try.

Thanks.

Frank

I gotta ask, how far do you intend to shoot those pills? I stand by my first post regarding how those bullets will probably be alright at 100, but not very good at 400. Stability and accuracy wise from your 9 twist..


Originally Posted by raybass
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style.
Originally Posted by Pharmseller
You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole.

BSA MAGA
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,210
F
fshaw Offline OP
Campfire Regular
OP Offline
Campfire Regular
F
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,210
I’m in the Adirondacks, 125 yards is a long shot in the forest here. I tried H4895, BLC2, H322 before trimming the magazine in my Montana. Don’t think I want to burn the bullets and primers to try them again. Haven’t heard much positive about CFE223 for accuracy but know it’s right up there for velocity. Have some R15, less than 1lb, with little hope of near term replenishment. Have not tried Lever but know that Stick likes it. Have not tried any VV powders but may if I can find some. Temp ranges not a big problem, would shoot another bullet for summer practice. Goal here is deer hunting.

Son Of The Gael could you post the min and max load from the Sierra data for VV140.

Thanks for the replies.

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 24,213
K
K22 Offline
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
K
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 24,213
This is load data from the Vihtavuori website.
N140 is what I use behind the Hornady 68gr.bt hp.

Bullet 4,5 g / 69 gr HPBT(1, Sierra C.O.L. 57,0 mm / 2.244 inch
Powder Starting load Maximum load
Type Weight Velocity Weight Velocity
[g] [grs] [m/s] [fps] [g] [grs] [m/s] [fps]
N133 1,34 20.7 792 2598 1,48 22.8 867 2844
N135 1,40 21.6 804 2638 1,54 23.8 875 2871
N140 1,53 23.6 820 2690 1,68 25.9 897 2943
N540 1,56 24.1 824 2703 1,71 26.4 910 2986
1) 1 in 10” twist


I'm using it behind a Hornady 68 gr. bthp which I edited above.

Last edited by K22; 09/11/21.
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,629
S
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
S
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,629
Fshaw: Starting Load: 19.0gr - 2220 fps; Accuracy Load: 22.0gr - 2550 fps. I'd prefer not to post the Max in an open forum, but it is quite a bit less that VV publishes.

https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/rifle-reloading/?cartridge=7

I must add, the data is the same for 77 TMK and the original 77 MK, which makes me wonder...


'Four legs good, two legs baaaad."
----------------------------------------------
"Jimmy, some of it's magic,
Some of it's tragic,
But I had a good life all the way."
(Jimmy Buffett)

SotG
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
84 members (308ld, 338reddog, 257_X_50, 10gaugemag, 257robertsimp, 9 invisible), 1,559 guests, and 766 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,728
Posts18,400,761
Members73,822
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.087s Queries: 15 (0.003s) Memory: 0.8962 MB (Peak: 1.0467 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-29 08:31:39 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS