Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 223 IMR 4064 loads 40 Gr.?????

How come I cannot find any data for .223 IMR 4064 with 40 Gr. v-max's or Nossler BT's?????

23 to 26.5 grains...
Steve Reloading Pages..
and 25 to 25.7 Sierra # 4 Manual
24 to 26 Grains, Hodgdon # 26
23 to 26 grains Lyman # 47


that ought to keep ya busy..

Thank you sir...

The likely reason .223 loads in IMR 4064 are few is that it is not an optimum powder for .223 so not alot of test loads (as you may know) - presume you are loading 4064 cause' you have some and want to use it w/o buying another type...no harm in that.

When you are ready to buy more .223 powder, consider AA 2230, H322, and Ramshot XTerminator for the 40gr. bullets.

I am thinking about trying some Varget also...

H335 and BLC(2) is also very good in the 223, as is W748 and they meter through the powder measure very consistantly IMO.

Nosler manual lists:

223 rem 40 gr. ballistic tip

H335 25.5 - 27.5 (MAX) Velocity= 3681 fps
W748 26 - 28 (most accurate powder tested) 3547 fps

Hornady manual:

223 rem 40 gr. V-max

H335 24.3 - 27.4 (3300- 3700 fps)

I've had excellent luck with H335 at around 25- 27 grains in both loadings.

Varget works best with the heavier bullets in 223 (60 grain & up). For 40 grainers it's not going to do anything that you couldn't do better with other powders. H335 and X-Terminator work well with 40 grainers in the 223.

Yeah, Varget is on the slow side. Doesn't come into its own until 55 grains, and gets better at 60. The bulk/loading density/granule packing is an issue in the 50-55 range for Varget, so even if it works great for me under 55s, it depends on the throating of the gun and how much room is in the case.
That said, I have put together a load for a buddy's rifle using 27 grains of Varget (he has a jug of it) under 40 NBT's and it shoots. But it fills right to the top and it's a pain to seat.
I have another load for that rifle with 4198 that shoots too. I have no clue what the speed is, but it's fireforming the brass properly.
So while neither 4064 nor Varget are "optimal," they might work just fine for you, if you have some on hand. That's what makes handloading so interesting.

Also try some Benchmark powder. Had real good luck with it and the Nosler 50gr. bts.

I like both of the 4198's, H, and IMR, with 40gr bullets.

I think Im gonna try the H335

It should work fine - it has in every .223 I have tried it in. H-322 and X-terminator also work well with 40-50 gr bullets. I like W-748 with 55 gr. I primarily shoot the 40 gr V-Max or Ballistic Tip in .223 now, using the .22-250 for longer shots with 50-55 gr bullets.

I tend to overshoot at around 300 yards with the 40 gr bullet in my .223 - it shoots flatter than it should!

With 40gr bullets in a 223 I have had the best results with VVN130 and benchmark, H335 will work but is better with 50-55gr bullets (also is dirtier)

FWIW, I loaded some Accurate 4064 in some .223 cases with 55 gr Hornady bullets and was pleasantly surprised with the accuracy (sub MOA) and the velocity (around 3200 fps out of a 22" Vanguard Varmint Special). But it, like IMR-4064 and Varget, it is too slow burning and bulky to get optimum performance with the light 40 gr bullet. Ramshot TAC works okay with all bullet weights, but for the 40 gr my favorite for performance is Accurate 2015. The max load in the Lyman No. 49 manual chronographed over 3800 fps in my 26" barrel SPS Varmint and accuracy is quite good, too.

In my Rem 700, N-135 with thick cup primers will push the 55's to amazing accuracy at 3400+.

Sierra 55g lead tip blitz at 3400+ ruins a coyotes whole day.

Max velocity with a 40 grainer...and a 30 grain HP Berger is with RL 7....

for you and Rockchuck828, I can line you up with some Blue Dot data, which with a 40 grainer will run it at 3250 fps..

Benchmark can run a 40 grainer at 3800 fps..

wyohunter99,
I have had good luck with H335 and 748 W/W.
Varget is accurate but slower than ideal just like IMR 4064.
Benchmark is a top choice also.
whelennut

'335 is King.............

I loaded 3 each of 25, 26, 27 grns. of H335 and 40 gr. V-max. Will test tomorrow....

Here is the result the group in the picture was 25 grns. H335 the 26 and 27 didnt do as well..... Shot at 100 yds. not to bad