223 wssm powder choice...

[thepitchedlink]

Hey Guys, just picked one up of the EE and gonna play with it over the Xmas break. Quite alot of powders seem to be listed for it and just looking for some experience as to where to start. I'm going to use 60 bullets, Hornady SP's and V-max. Powders I've found that seem to work are:
H 4831
H4350
IMR 4064
IMR 4895
IMR 3031
I have all 5 so I'd like to burn what I have even though RL and Varget seem to be popular. I'm looking for crazy accuracy not crazy speed, thanks

 

[rnbra-shooter]

(I just went and looked up loading data on Hodgdon's web site for the .223 WSSM)

The H4831 might be just slightly too slow (or it may be OK). The max load shown for 60gr bullets is a compressed load, but, it isn't terribly compressed, and it is shown to be developing full pressure - so there's a good chance that it should be OK.

Just from looking at the loading data, my first pick would be H4350. It is able to produce max velocity and max pressure, with a not-quite-full case.

4064 and 4895 will also likely give you good results (accuracy, though you might end up being 100fps short of what you can achieve with H4350 (even though Hodgdon's data doesn't show this - it shows much the same max velocity for H4350, IMR 4064 and IMR 4895).

IMR3031 is quite a bit quicker than all the rest. It would probably give you good results for not-quite-full-velocity ammo, if that's what you wanted (i.e. good accuracy, and .22-.250 performance). But if you want full performance from your .223WSSM, you should probably use one of the other three powders.

 

[RockChucker]

I had one last year and wasn't too tickled with the reloading quirks of the cartridge.
Cartridge obturation [sp] even with factory ammo was poor leaving smoked cases to the extractor groove. Conclusion: Brass too hard
Fix: anneal case necks prior to reloading
Hang fires @ 0 c to -15c
Tried everything from CCI to Fed 215 primers to ignite the charges. This wouldn't happen if the temperatures where above Oc.
Powder selection was not the issue. Most likely an issue with case design.
Fix: GOT RID OF THE RIFLE!