Does anyone happen to know what powder Berger uses in their 223 77 grain OTM Match factory load? It may be an unobtainable canister powder, but I hope not. I just emailed them about it, but I doubt they will diverge that info. Thanks
Matt

I just heard back from Berger, and they won’t tell me, as it’s proprietary. Figures.

In case this would help...

Thanks OSU!

Look at the barrel length....YMMV!

My barrels are 22” and 22.4”. I may extend the throat on one of the two to allow the 77 and 80 grain Berger’s to be loaded out to 2.5” in the AI mags. I noticed Ramshot/AA load guide has long throat 223 DATA along these lines. I just discovered that PTG makes an ingenious throating tool that will allow one to extend throats with relative precision without removing the barrel from the action. This should allow me to throat my Ruger American Predator. The smooth surface proprietary barrel nut on Ruger Americans does not seem to allow one to easily remove and reinstall the barrel, so the PTG tool is a real boon.

Have you made dummy rounds to find CBO using the two bullets in question? or have you shot the bullets? Reason I ask, is you are limited to COAL now using the AI mags. Pushing the throat out may not be needed, should the rifles perform within the limits of the mags, unless you choose to load one at a time.

Barrel length was mentioned cause Berger used a 24 inch to get the velocities mentioned in their load data. Don`t think you will match them with the 22inchers, and stay within pressure limits.

He probably has no clue where the lands are.

There is no shortcut to this sh-t. You need to shoot your equipment to get real world results. All else is quess work.

The Ruger American is still in the box. I’ve only pulled it out to change out the trigger return spring and shim the trigger in the box. I have bullets, brass, AI mags, scope rings, a cheek riser, and a modular mag well on order. I did say “I may” lengthen the throat. I may not, but the idea seems to have merit. We’ll see. I’ve been a 222 shooter for well over 20 years (used on coyotes and p-dogs at modest ranges). An old BR competitor friend of mine taught me how to reload, and develope accurate loads. My experience with a half dozen factory triple deuces (and several other big game cartridges) is that factory throat depth can vary from rifle to rifle, brand to brand etc. I like to start with kissing the lands and work back a thousandth at time on the Wilson die. It’s not rocket science, as most of you know. I’ll likely stiffen up the forend with glass, maybe bed the action. Lots of investigating going on. I’d rather not spend money on an aftermarket stock just yet. Improving the factory stock will part of the fun. If it just turns out to be a turd, then I’ll upgrade.

Interesting project Matt. Keep us posted.

Will do. A bunch of stuff just came in the mail yesterday!