H322 in .223
- Thread starter Bad Bob
- Start date
Hand Skills
CGN Regular
- Location
- In the 'heartland', southern SK
I'd guess max to be around 23-23.5gr with 50-55gr bullets
I have used H322 with 40gr'ers. Accuracy was suprisinly good given the high ES in velocity.
I have used H322 with 40gr'ers. Accuracy was suprisinly good given the high ES in velocity.
Did some testing with Hornady 50s. 24.0 is a very mild load and did not exhibit any accuracy potential (1/2" or less 5 shot groups). Accuracy potential started at 24.5 producing 7/16" 5 shot group. 24.8 produced 5/16" and 1/4" 5 shot groups with no pressure signs. 25.0 gives moderate pressure signs, nothing serious but I would stay here and consider 25.0 as maximum load in my gun. Accuracy close to if not equal to 24.8, will have to test further to determine which is the ultimate accuracy load. Just my experience.
More testing revealed the 24.8 load has s slight but consistently noticeable accuracy advantage over 25.0.
Fire formed brass, trimmed & chamfered, primer pockets & flash holes uniformed, annealed, Lee collet neck sized, CCI 400, 24.8 gr. H322, Hornady 50 SPSX, COL 2.190 = 1/4 to 5/16" 5 shot groups x 100. Quite acceptable.
More testing revealed the 24.8 load has s slight but consistently noticeable accuracy advantage over 25.0.
Fire formed brass, trimmed & chamfered, primer pockets & flash holes uniformed, annealed, Lee collet neck sized, CCI 400, 24.8 gr. H322, Hornady 50 SPSX, COL 2.190 = 1/4 to 5/16" 5 shot groups x 100. Quite acceptable.
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H322 is a ball powder and a bit faster than H335.
I had a lot of it on hand several years ago, it's all gone now and I'm using H335.
A lot of people prefer to use a slower powder, but the rifle I was using at the time, really preferred the H322 with lighter bullets, contrary to what other folks told me at the time and what was mentioned by legi0n.
I found that pressures and velocities went awry when getting within a grain or two of maximum loads.
From my notes, everything settled down, such as ES velocities and group sizes.
With both 50 and 55 grain flat base spire point bullets, 23.6 grains of H322 over CCI450 primers produced an average velocity of 2945fps in my Remington 700V with a 24 in bbl. Groups at 100yds were 1/2 moa with good bullets and maintained that accuracy out to 300 yds.
I never shot anything other than paper past 200 yds and usually shot from a controlled rest position off a bench.
I used this rifle and the load for Coyotes for about a decade. The barrel had a 1-14 twist rate.
Twist rates make quite a difference when shooting 22 cal rifles, especially if you go below 50 grains, or over 62 grains.
This load may not be great in your rifle but it's always been a good place to start, with H322 in any rifle I've used it in. Not much tweaking required.
I had a lot of it on hand several years ago, it's all gone now and I'm using H335.
A lot of people prefer to use a slower powder, but the rifle I was using at the time, really preferred the H322 with lighter bullets, contrary to what other folks told me at the time and what was mentioned by legi0n.
I found that pressures and velocities went awry when getting within a grain or two of maximum loads.
From my notes, everything settled down, such as ES velocities and group sizes.
With both 50 and 55 grain flat base spire point bullets, 23.6 grains of H322 over CCI450 primers produced an average velocity of 2945fps in my Remington 700V with a 24 in bbl. Groups at 100yds were 1/2 moa with good bullets and maintained that accuracy out to 300 yds.
I never shot anything other than paper past 200 yds and usually shot from a controlled rest position off a bench.
I used this rifle and the load for Coyotes for about a decade. The barrel had a 1-14 twist rate.
Twist rates make quite a difference when shooting 22 cal rifles, especially if you go below 50 grains, or over 62 grains.
This load may not be great in your rifle but it's always been a good place to start, with H322 in any rifle I've used it in. Not much tweaking required.
this is interesting. I need to try it. I have thousands of 55gr bullets.
what twist is your barrel?
As mentioned in the article, I no longer have that lovely Remington Custom Shop 700V, with a 1-14 twist rate.
I had thousands of 55 grain bullets on hand back then as well. Not so much anymore as I haven't had the only 223rem chambered rifle I own, out yet this year.
To wet last spring, then scorching hot and before I knew it hunting season was on. Never even got a fly line wet.
I finished a very nice small frame Martini, with heavy sidewalls, in 225 Win, so was busy playing with that instead. I call it the "Ugly Stick" because it's cosmetically unfinished, but it shoots much better than I expected. It also has a 1-14 twist rate. It's very light and carries/points like a dream.
My poor 22-250, on a Mod 70FWT action, hasn't been outside for a couple of years now. Maybe time for someone else to appreciate how sweet that little FWT shoots and carries in the field. Great Coyote rifle.
I'm off topic sorry. Just got me thinking.
I had thousands of 55 grain bullets on hand back then as well. Not so much anymore as I haven't had the only 223rem chambered rifle I own, out yet this year.
To wet last spring, then scorching hot and before I knew it hunting season was on. Never even got a fly line wet.
I finished a very nice small frame Martini, with heavy sidewalls, in 225 Win, so was busy playing with that instead. I call it the "Ugly Stick" because it's cosmetically unfinished, but it shoots much better than I expected. It also has a 1-14 twist rate. It's very light and carries/points like a dream.
My poor 22-250, on a Mod 70FWT action, hasn't been outside for a couple of years now. Maybe time for someone else to appreciate how sweet that little FWT shoots and carries in the field. Great Coyote rifle.
I'm off topic sorry. Just got me thinking.
Two things I might add:
1) H322 is not a ball powder. It is very short cut and meters very well. I also found it to be a very clean burning powder.
2) For 55 grain bullets in the .223, Benchmark ( 25.0 - 26.0 ) produces outstanding accuracy and higher velocities than H322 and is my
favorite powder for 52 - 55 grain bullets.
1) H322 is not a ball powder. It is very short cut and meters very well. I also found it to be a very clean burning powder.
2) For 55 grain bullets in the .223, Benchmark ( 25.0 - 26.0 ) produces outstanding accuracy and higher velocities than H322 and is my
favorite powder for 52 - 55 grain bullets.
