223 Powder for Short OAL loads

[thatmikeguy]

I bought a howa 1500 mini action recently. I made up some loads with Varget and Lapua 69 Scenar pills at 2.3".
It crushes the powder which doesnt bother me. It shoots good but I'm getting a ring on the bullet where the seater contacts the bullet which leads me to believe there's a fair bit of pressure there. Are there any other options? I dont have enough mag space to load longer. The powder comes up to the bottom of neck and the bullet seats as deep as the shoulder.

 

[ffgats]

N135, n133,

 

[thatmikeguy]

Thanks. Have you tried the N540 at all? The load data shows slightly higher speed. Likely doesn't matter though. I don't really need more speed.

 

[Lefty Dick]

Benchmark

 

[todbartell]

H4895, H322, IMR 8208xbr for lower load density than Varget

 

[thatmikeguy]

I will see if my local gun shop has any of these. Thanks.

 

[bigedp51]

Have you tried a drop tube?

 

[coleman1495]

Canada Ammo has D8208. Doesn’t take much!

 

[Janeau]

N133 . N135 for a bit more velocity.
H335.
Seater die stem must fit the bullet. Check for a VLD if it fit better.
Crushing the powder kernel is never a good thing. There is no need for this to happen in.223
Actually best - most accurate load are at about - around 80 - 90 % of case capacity.

One of my good load use the Sierra 69 SMK with their accuracy load of Varget - near max charge and no crushing of powder. Not all case have the same capacity — LC military case versus commercial.. The 69 SMK is probably a bit shorter than the Lapua - just a guess here.

Some bullet cannot be loaded to mag length without using too much case capacity. No choice here to change powder or bullet.

 

[saskcop]

W748.

 

[IvoB]

I load my 40-55 grain projectiles between 2.240 and 2.255 and I get very good accuracy - I never liked the idea of exceeding published COAL lengths no matter what others say - since accuracy isn't 100 percent dependent on COAL length but rifle, shooter skills, weather and shooting conditions

 

[scourge18a]

You can also try to hone your seating die to the shape of the bullet to reduce the ring it's giving you

 

[thatmikeguy]

No I have not tried a drop tube. I pour the powder don the side of the funnel so it swirls in to the case. Works good but varget just fills it too much.

 

[thatmikeguy]

H4895, H322, IMR 8208xbr for lower load density than Varget

H4895 shows a compressed load in my data.

 

[thatmikeguy]

N133
H335.
Seater die stem must fit the bullet. Check for a VLD if it fit better.
Crushing the powder kernel is never a good thing. There is no need for this to happen in.223
Actually best - most accurate load are at about - around 80 - 90 % of case capacity.

One of my good load use the Sierra 69 SMK with their accuracy load of Varget - near max charge and no crushing of powder. Not all case have the same capacity — LC military case versus commercial..

Some bullet cannot be loaded to mag length without using too much case capacity. No choice here to change powder or bullet.

I agree that a new powder or bullet is needed. I would like to get a new powder and continue shooting heavy bullets.

 

[Winchester-1897]

H4198 ?

 

[ffgats]

Thanks. Have you tried the N540 at all? The load data shows slightly higher speed. Likely doesn't matter though. I don't really need more speed.

Have the N140 and 540, both are bulkier than what mentioned above, the N140/ 540 doesn’t drop accurately with my powder measure ( Dillon) ,
I use N135 for 62-175 bullets

 

[StoneHorse]

Tagged.

 

[thatmikeguy]

Has Anybody tried BLC2?
I can get H322 and H4895 and BLC2 locally

 

[todbartell]

H4895 shows a compressed load in my data.

Yes, but the load density will still be lower than Varget