Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome

[speeddemon94]

So I know about the 335 and 223 powders, but in these times of psychotic buying of all things firearms, even if you don't have reloading equipment, what are some alternatives?

I found some load data for H380, but would rather use that in my .308 or maybe some -06 loads...So other suggestions? I have all the ingredients to make 1000 rounds, just no freaking powder.

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[civilian75]

Well, let's start with what bullet weight and powders you have. I've user RL15 and Varget with success with 75 and 77gr bullets.

 

[deadshot2]

Get your hands on a copy of Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Edition. The database in it has many, many, powders listed for .223 for all common bullets.

Some may not be the best due to gas port pressure issues but they work better than just holding your rifle up and shouting "BANG" when you have no ammo

 

[speeddemon94]

Get your hands on a copy of Lee Modern Reloading 2nd Edition. The database in it has many, many, powders listed for .223 for all common bullets.

Some may not be the best due to gas port pressure issues but they work better than just holding your rifle up and shouting "BANG" when you have no ammo

There you go making sense...

I dont have a lot of time to "get out" And I know I can order it, I just get sidetracked and


I have slugs ranging from 50gr to 77gr. I'll eventually get a book.

 

[civilian75]

Sierra has published load data online for AR platform. Here you go:
http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

 

[gehrheart]

BL-(C)2, Tac, WW 748, also AA 2230
or IMR 4895 (have heard 3031 as well)

Ramshot X-terminator Never tried.. heard good things.

Picked up a can of N135 this weekend and going to give that a try.

Hope that helps. I prefere H335... But hard to get right now!!

 

[speeddemon94]

Okay, thanks guys.

 

[2ndtimer]

Are you loading for an AR, or a bolt action? I have used H-4198, H-4895, Varget, H-335, CFE-223, IMR-4895, IMR-4064, IMR-8208XBR, Accurate 2230, 2460, 4064, 2200, and 2015; Ramshot TAC and Reloder 15 in my bolt action .223's over the years with bullet weights from 40 to 55 gr. IF you are loading for an AR, I can vouch for Varget, CFE-223, TAC, Accurate 2200 and H-4895. Of course, your rifle may prefer one of them over the others, but I think any of them will probably give adequate results. The only one I didn't particularly care for was H-4198. Velocity was low, accuracy mediocre and it didn't work well through the powder measure. My favorites are the ball powders, TAC, Accurate 2460, Accurate 2200, Hodgdon's CFE-223, and I also had good results from everybody's favorite, H-335. I just think TAC is cleaner.

 

[oli700]

IMR 3031 is my go to for 55gr fmj....and now I am glad it is

 

[deadshot2]

Sierra has published load data online for AR platform. Here you go:
http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

Good info but dated. Doesn't include a lot of the "New" powders for .223 that have joined the market in the last few years. AR-Comp and CFE223 are just a couple.

One way to uncover some of the newer powders, that may not have attracted "hoarders" yet, is to visit the Powder Mfr's websites and look for the ones that are indicated as "Great for the AR" etc.

It's the old powders for military cartridges that disappeared first.

 

[speeddemon94]

Yeah, and those are the ones I know I cant get, so...I'm looking to load with what I can. Thanks again.

 

[tcs#1]

Here is an old trick/tip I picked up years ago (1997) It's from an article that was published in a well know guns/reloading magazine


Now, while I would not reccomend this practice to a novice I can say from experience that it does work


DO NOT SUBSTITUTE PISTOL OR SHOTGUN POWDER


The problem.....You have a bunch of powder but no published load data for the cartridge you want to load


Find a CURRENT Burn-Rate Chart (it has changed since '97)


Locate the powder you want to use on the chart


Look at the powders that are 5-6 lines ABOVE ( FASTER) Than the one you want to use


You can safely use the STARTING Load for this powder in your cartridge with the proper bullet weight


Again, I would only reccomend this to an experienced hand-loader..Back in '08-'09 when everything dried up I
used this method on a few of my 'wild-cats' with very good results


I just used this method for a 222 Rem. Mag. Improved.....I had data for H335 but wanted to try some RL 10X
None of my manuals even list this cartridge let alone data for it...Looking at a CURRENT Burn-Rate Chart
I found that RL10X was indeed 5 lines ABOVE (FASTER) than H335


I loaded up 5 rounds with a starting load and all worked with out flaw and fairly accurate
I have a load now using around 2 Gr. more that is more accurate than my original H335 Load


Just Be Careful! Start Low and Work Up Slowly....