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

Have you tried CFE223 or BL-C(2)?

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..

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.

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.

CFE-223 and Power Pro Varmint are your friends.

AR Comp has worked well for me, along with RL15.
They should stabilize at 100, but out to 400, its a gamble.. BTDT...

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

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.

Just ask the Big Stick if you want to shoot a heavy bullet quick:) Hint:)

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.

I’ve had good luck with CFE223

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.

Shot 10s of 1000's of 69 to 85s. In order it would be VV140, H4895, IMR 8208, Varget, Re15.

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

Either Varget or H4895 usually rise to the top for me.

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..

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.

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.

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...

Another thing with LVR is it's available [around here and online} and it gets them bullets humming. I love the stuff in several calibers including the ones it was made for. Work up loads like other ball powders, simple , don't work up loads when it's -10 and then go hunting/shooting when it's 90 out.
Which is not usually the case anyways. You'd have to really try to overload 223/5.56 anyways.

TAC is what I use in the 75 and 77 grain bullets.

You’re good with Varget. It’s what I use in two 1-8” .223s with 75 grain ELD-M.

Stability actually increases as the bullet travels downrange and loses linear velocity faster than it loses rotational velocity.

TAC, Varget, and LVR are what I use the most, but H335 and N203 work great, as well.

I agree Varget works great in a 223 1-8" with the 75gr ELD-M ( accurate load) this bullet must be close to it's velocity threshold in a 223, at 22-250 velocities it does shotgun patterns

Thats been my experience as well. If they are stable and group at 100 yards they are stable and group accordingly at 400 or 500 yards

Thats not been my experience. I've shot 75 elds and a lot of the 75 amax in a 22-250 AI at 3400 fps with very good accuracy

Varget for me, 24.5 grains behind 60 Gr V Max shoots sub MOA

H-4895

I'm not sure you physically COULD cram enough Leverevolution into a 223 case to get in serious trouble. I suppose it's possible, but I have stuffed some totally stupid charge weights of Lever under a Hornady 75 bthp in an ar, and I don't think I ever saw anything terribly scary happen.

I shoot Lake City Nato cases with Fed AR match primers with 23 grains of H4895. I average around 2675fps out of a 20 inch barrel with a NATO chamber/75 grain Hornady. If you try that load with CCI #41's you will see 100fps more velocity and pressure. CCI #41's make H4895 go bezerk!!

On the other hand, i use the 41's with 26.1 grains of H4895 for my Sierra #1390's and get 3000 fps from a 16 inch carbine. That is my main suppressed Coyote load. It was not easy for me to find a powder to clear 3000 fps out of a 16 inch barrel and have very small groups.

I have done a bit of load testing with AR-Comp, IMR XBR 8208, PP 2000, PP Varmint and RL 15.

Going way above book max i was barely able to clear 2600fps with RL15. XBR was fine at round 2650fps. I felt like i was pushing the brass though.... AR-Comp was good in the low 2600 fps range.

The power pro's gave blitzkrieg velocities like i have never seen. 2800 fps+ with no pressure. Accuracy was good some days and poor most others. I gave up.

Another persons experiences will be different. These where mine.

Not often thought of, but H 380 is a good 223 powder for 70 plus grain bullets

Varget or CFE 223 works well in the Rock River AR’s I have.