IMR 4831, 223 loads

B-78

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If you look at Hodgdon data online you will not find a listing for IMR 4831 in 223. I however have a few manuals for years gone by that does have it listed. I also seem to have a surplus of powder from that era as well. Loads listed do not have a lot of velocity but they also do not have a lot of pressure either.
Loaded up a few rounds with fifty grain spitzer bullets to try and at fifty yards I put them into a small clover leaf pattern, although they are shooting about one and a half inches lower then where the rifle is zeroed for now. I'm thinking I will load a bunch more rounds to use for plinking and gophers that pop up under fifty yards away.
Just wondering if anyone else has tried IMR 4831 in their 223?
 
While trying to find a subsonic load that would cycle the action in an AR15, I tried IMR4831 in the 223 with a 69 gr bullet - but I discovered that no powder could do that, even US869. The velocity was about 2100 fps and pressure was likely about 25K psi. MV would be higher, and pressure lower with a 50 gr bullet.

Although you reported otherwise, I would not be surprised if there were wide variations in velocity and a dirty barrel due to an incomplete burn with the lighter bullet. I suggest a full case, and a magnum primer for best results.
 
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My rather dated Cartridges of the World 4th edition has five pages of rifle reloading data supplied by Du Pont for several of their IMR powders. Among the listed loads are some for the 223 and IMR 4831 is included.
45 gr bullet IMR 4831 charge weight of 26.0 gr. compressed at 2475 fps and 26800 CUP
50 gr bullet IMR 4831 charge weight of 26.0 gr. compressed at 2475 fps and 27400 CUP
55 gr bullet IMR 4831 charge weight of 26.0 gr. compressed at 2415 fps and 31300 CUP
Along with the standard caveat of reducing the above charge weights by 10% for start loads.
 
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