Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 223 Rem 64 Gr Power Point Load

I'm getting ready to roll some new ammo out for an upcoming hog hunt. I've got a mess of 64 gr Power Points I'm planning to load up, but I don't have any already rolled & ready to take to the range. I'm planning to use my S&W M&P 16" M4 for this hunt as it will be in east Texas woodlands where shots will be under 200 yards and running animals a distinct possibility. It's equipped with an Aimpoint C4 with a 3X magnifier.

Looking at my old load data, I've got three loads that seem to be pretty decent out of this rifle:

1) WW 748 25.0 gr, 3000 fps
2) Varget 25.5 gr, 3150 fps
3) H335 24.0 gr, 2920 fps

All three loads were test-fired at 100 yards and give average 100-yd groups of about 1", +/- 0.10".

According to my load notes Varget gave me the most consistent groups and velocities, and it meters nicely. Onliest problem is I'm out of Varget but I've got a lot of 748 and H335 on hand. 748 gave me nice groups, but IIRC it meters less well and it shoots dirty.

Before I start pulling the handle, any other pet loads for this bullet y'all might have to suggest?

Why not just use the 748? If it shoots good go with it. You wont need to load hundreds for a hog hunt so it metering well shouldnt be a big issue. I dont have a pet load for that bullet but I'm sure others here can help.

My load for the Win. 64gr was 28.0/748 Fed. brass Win primer. My Lyman load book listed 30.0 as max and also potentially most accurate. My twist is a little slower than yours probably is. mine is an old Douglas 14/1. These loads do not show pressure signs in my gun.

Yeah, I think I'm gonna stick with the 748 for this job. I might do a run of test loads up to 28.0 gr, as you say, per the Lyman manual. I used Hodgdon load data for those old loads, IIRC, and C.O.L. was shorter than that in Lyman.

I need to confirm those range data. Those numbers were generated in a DPMS M4 with a 1:9 twist. My current M&P has a 1:7 twist.

Varget meters better than 748? That seems backward to me.

Tried Varget in my 223 and it shot just OK but not like 748,H335,2230. When I next buy powder I will try Ramshot X-termanator and TAC. Burning rates about the same as the ones listed but cleaner from what I hear.

I'm gonna have to buy a canister of TAC next time I go to town, give it whirl.

Doc I pushed those 64 gr Power Pts out of my 22-250 at 3400-3500 fps on antelope and they held up good.Bet they work good for you. Magnum man

Doh!

Right you are, MM. That's what I get for relying on my memory of a reloading project from 2007. It was Varget that was a b!tch to get to meter properly.

I spent the day at my bench yesterday resetting my equipment to load some short runs of ammo on my Redding T7. It's amazing how much stuff you take for granted until you move and have to find it all again!

I loaded several runs of 64 gr PP loads. Would have gone to the range to fire some test groups, but the usual west Texas breeze was a tad brisk yesterday. Went inside to watch the Packers go down in flames instead.

When you try the TAC my favorite load for the 64 PP is 24.5 grains. Shoots well in my 1-8 and a 1-9 twist A.R.'s and in my dads 1-12 twist H&R single shot. This bullet works very well on feral hogs.

+1

Varget meters better than 748, only after I'm on my second six pack!

keith...

Yeah. See post #6051035, above.

As for the ease of Varget metering after a couple wobbly-pops, I resemble that remark!

I still haven't got out to the range to test the loads I made up on the w/e. Damn wind won't stop blowin'. Yesterday I went anyway and spent an hour bustin' rocks with my .45 Bisley. Them 300 gr LBT's are not exactly wind-sensitive out to 75 yards or so.