I have a 7 twist Savage LRPV that I shoot both the Berger 80 VLD and the 85.5 Hybrid bullets . So far , I've been using Varget with outstanding results . Just curious if anyone has had success with V540 powder as it's actually more available then Varget these days .
Fast Twist .223 Powder
- Thread starter HondaVTEC
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I’ve heard it’s not as dense as Varget, Therefore not allowing enough powder into a .223 case. I’ve been using reloader 15 with ok results, but I’ve run out of room in the case as well. I can hit 3000fps with 80gr bullets, but am down around 2900 with 88-90gr. 1-7” twist, no pressure signs.
It becomes a pain to maintain consistent seating depth when the load is too compressed.
It becomes a pain to maintain consistent seating depth when the load is too compressed.
I am getting 3000fps with the Berger 80 VLD and 2950fps with the 85.5's with Varget in Starline and Lapua brass with no pressure issues at all . I can push it faster but don't really see the need too . It's not super compressed so bullet seating is consistent . Varget is pretty scarce these day so looking for an alternative . Rifle is shooting sub 1/2 MOA at distance and I really don't want to give that up .
When doing load development to go to the 2013 World F-class shoot Varget all but dried up. Worked up two new loads to the same velocity with N140 and N150 (Shooting 155 Lapua Scenars. Never went back to Varget
Next was the 90g Bergers in .223 (first generation) with a 31 inch 7 twist tube. Was trying N550 first, but had much better results with N140.(super accurate at 300m and 500m, couldn't keep them on the target at 800m)(too slow) I have tried N540 but eventually lost interest. Those early 90g Bergers were a ##### to tune.
N540 worked particularly well with the Lapua 77s
Hope this helps
Next was the 90g Bergers in .223 (first generation) with a 31 inch 7 twist tube. Was trying N550 first, but had much better results with N140.(super accurate at 300m and 500m, couldn't keep them on the target at 800m)(too slow) I have tried N540 but eventually lost interest. Those early 90g Bergers were a ##### to tune.
N540 worked particularly well with the Lapua 77s
Hope this helps
Here's a chart for fastest to slowest, within SAAMI max pressure of 55,000psi
Code:
Cartridge : .223 Rem
Bullet : .224, 85.5, Berger LR Hybrid
Useable Case Capaci: 26.583 grain H2O = 1.726 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.450 inch = 62.23 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 55000 psi, or 379 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 104 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !
8 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 80%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant RL17 99.5 25.6 1.66 2771 99.5 55000 7728 1.155 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter 104.0 26.3 1.71 2705 96.0 54595 7602 1.174 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414 98.4 25.5 1.65 2701 95.1 55000 7558 1.174 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760 98.4 25.5 1.65 2701 95.1 55000 7558 1.174 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon CFE223 88.3 24.1 1.56 2694 99.3 55000 7163 1.180 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot BigGame 93.7 24.4 1.58 2690 98.9 55000 7156 1.179 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RL16 104.0 24.8 1.61 2680 98.2 50886 7448 1.197
IMR 4895 92.8 22.7 1.47 2678 99.0 55000 7167 1.193 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 748 86.1 22.7 1.47 2671 99.9 55000 6786 1.188 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon BL-C2 88.5 23.7 1.53 2670 99.6 55000 7027 1.194 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 3031 93.1 21.3 1.38 2669 100.0 55000 6390 1.191 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RL15 93.6 22.9 1.49 2666 98.6 55000 7108 1.195 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4320 95.8 23.1 1.50 2660 98.9 55000 6866 1.181 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4895 90.2 22.1 1.43 2656 99.3 55000 6936 1.198 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380 95.0 23.8 1.54 2647 97.4 55000 7120 1.200 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H335 82.0 21.9 1.42 2633 100.0 55000 6430 1.201 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4350 103.3 25.2 1.63 2632 94.2 55000 7035 1.189 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Varget 96.0 22.8 1.48 2629 98.4 55000 6823 1.196 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant AR-Comp 88.4 21.0 1.36 2629 100.0 55000 5878 1.198 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H322 86.8 20.6 1.34 2627 100.0 55000 6215 1.199 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 8208xbr 89.0 21.8 1.41 2625 99.6 55000 6591 1.202 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant RL26 104.0 27.4 1.78 2624 94.6 44957 8088 1.263
IMR 4064 96.7 22.4 1.45 2622 98.6 55000 6711 1.200 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 104.0 24.7 1.60 2621 98.7 50935 6851 1.208
Ramshot TAC 88.8 23.5 1.52 2620 96.8 55000 6917 1.203 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4451 Enduron 98.2 23.8 1.54 2611 94.8 55000 6924 1.198 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot X-Terminator 86.6 22.7 1.47 2608 98.9 55000 6635 1.208 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007ssc 96.7 24.0 1.56 2605 94.2 55000 6963 1.207 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4350 104.0 24.9 1.62 2601 93.6 53089 6955 1.205 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4166 Enduron 97.7 22.9 1.49 2592 95.1 55000 6750 1.207 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Benchmark 88.4 21.3 1.38 2592 99.8 55000 6304 1.212 ! Near Maximum !
