.223 loads for hot and cold weather?

INTIMIDATOR

INTIMIDATOR

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Southern Ontario
Does anyone out there have a load that they use for both winter and summer shooting?

I have a Savage model 12 VLP in .223. I use 50 grain Varmint Grenades with about 20 grains of IMR4198. The problem being the powder really isn't powder its extruded pellets and they don't flow through the powder measure worth a sore ass. It actually shears off the grains of powder when you cycle. I currently weigh each powder charge on a scale to make sure of its consistency because using the powder measure will vary by almost 4 tenths.

How does H335 or H322 work in the cold vs. hot? Ideally I want a powder that will flow through the powder measure accurately and have little sensitivity to hot/cold temperatures.
 
I am currently using "Benchmark" from the Hodgdon 'extreme' line of powders in my .223.

Velocities are fairly consistant from +15 to -20 only varies about 75 to 80 fps (averaged out). This is completely opposite of what I was seeing using IMR powders, I was seeing a drop of approx. 100fps with each 10 degree drop in temp.

Cheers!
 
I use Benchmark also in my .223 but don't have any chrony numbers for you. I've used it in 3 different rifles in the same caliber and it's been excellent in all 3.
 
How about factory loaded ammo?
I have yet to see a box of ammo marked for what time of the year it should be shot!
 
The most invariable powder is Varget, only 8% of variation from 0 deg F to 100 deg F. But Hornady list Varget with 52 grains bullets.
26.0 gr Varget
52 gr Hornady ( i do imagine others brands will fit too )
3200 FPS in a 26" barrell, 1/12 twist
Hornady sixth Editio Handboo, source.
Judes
 
H4831 said:
How about factory loaded ammo?
I have yet to see a box of ammo marked for what time of the year it should be shot!
Click to expand...

Only the highly trained staff that sells the ammo knows this, but they stock the winter ammo starting in October, and the summer ammo in May. This is why you should always shoot ammo while it's fresh, so you get seasons right.

:p
 
INTIMIDATOR said:
How does H335 or H322 work in the cold vs. hot? Ideally I want a powder that will flow through the powder measure accurately and have little sensitivity to hot/cold temperatures.
Click to expand...

H335 flows nicely but expect some extra bullet drop in winter... let's say 6"/300m IIRC

Varget gets my vote for 223/308.

s>
 
cold

I run IMR all year and have extreme temp swings living in the great north, I do switch to a magnum primer in the winter months. However I am shooting a number 1 and a model 70
 
I find a receipe for a 50 grs bullet, source HODGDON basic reloaders manual 2005.
50 gr SPR SP
VARGET 27.5 C
3383 FPS
44800 CUP
COL 2.210"
Winchester brass and Wincherter SR primers in a barrell of 24 "
Judes
 
.223 loads

I load 24 grains of IMR 3031 with a 55 gr spire point. Winchester small rifle primer in my AR15 as well as my bolt action M70 also in .223 cal. Even in very cold conditions I have yet to have any malfunctions with this load. My range is all outdoors and we shoot regularly thru the winter months.
Regards,
Mark -beaver455
 
Thanks for all the ideas, I'm going to try some benchmark the next time and see how it works. The temperature here one day can be 15C and sunny and the next be zero, especially when shooting 300 yards it does make a difference.
 
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