Reloading Ball in 223

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Moe

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I have been loading Accurate 2230 ball powder in 223 for a while now and just got done reading " The Black Rifle " where they state that winchester's ball powder of the time was a big problem in the AR15. I was wondering If I should be changing powders? I think IVI puts the same powder in their C77 5.56 and this confuses me. Do other nato 5.56 rds use ball too like SS109 and M885. Is this a good Idea? I have been thinking of going back to IMR 3031. Jay has great luck with Varget. Should I try that? I will be using this stuff in my AR15 223 16" and my Rem 223 22".

Thanks
Moe
 
I like Benchmark, Varget, RL15, and Ramshot Ex-Terminator in my 1:12 223 Rem

never have used H335, W748, or any other ball powders (although I have used WC845, and Ex-Terminator is a ball powder...)
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winchester's ball powder of the time
Click to expand...

Exactly. The problem was with the particular powder they were using at the time. As I recall they were applying a newly developed glaze on it (to make it flow smoothly) that creating a hard fouling that required regular cleaning to remove. At the same time, they were promoting the M-16 as a rifle that "didn't have to be cleaned". Result = fouled rifles that wouldn't function reliably.

The powder problem was fixed a long time ago. It is not now (and hasn't been for decades) a problem with the Winchester ball powders.

I use W748 and a bulk Winchester ball powder in my .223's and they work very well.
 
winchester's ball powder of the time
Click to expand...

Exactly. The problem was with the particular powder they were using at the time. As I recall they were applying a newly developed glaze on it (to make it flow smoothly) that creating a hard fouling that required regular cleaning to remove. At the same time, they were promoting the M-16 as a rifle that "didn't have to be cleaned". Result = fouled rifles that wouldn't function reliably.

The powder problem was fixed a long time ago. It is not now (and hasn't been for decades) a problem with the Winchester ball powders.

I use W748 and a bulk Winchester ball powder (WC845) in my .223's and they work very well.
 
I use W-W 748 almost exclusively in my 1:9 twist 223, and it shows very little fouling, provided I keep the prssures up there.

It seems to foul if I use mild or reduced loads.

Merry Christmas, and may the Good Lord bless all of you abundantly in 2006!

Ted
 
A-zone said:
Exactly. The problem was with the particular powder they were using at the time. As I recall they were applying a newly developed glaze on it (to make it flow smoothly) that creating a hard fouling that required regular cleaning to remove. At the same time, they were promoting the M-16 as a rifle that "didn't have to be cleaned". Result = fouled rifles that wouldn't function reliably.

The powder problem was fixed a long time ago. It is not now (and hasn't been for decades) a problem with the Winchester ball powders.

I use W748 and a bulk Winchester ball powder in my .223's and they work very well.
Click to expand...
The chemical was 1% calcium carbonate. DoD mandated Olin to reduce it to 0.25%, but Olin eliminated it completed. Problem solved. The other problem, of course, is that the original .222 Remington Special [aka 5.56x45] AR-15 / M16 load development was based on the use of IMR single-base stick powders, NOT double-base spherical powders.
 
jamesharrison said:
The chemical was 1% calcium carbonate. DoD mandated Olin to reduce it to 0.25%, but Olin eliminated it completed. Problem solved. The other problem, of course, is that the original .222 Remington Special [aka 5.56x45] AR-15 / M16 load development was based on the use of IMR single-base stick powders, NOT double-base spherical powders.
Click to expand...
Two kinds of ancient history going on. 19 year old thread. ;)
 
Necro bumps are not uncommon, but 19 friggin' years has to be a new record.

The whole dang website is not yet 21 years old, so that's really reaching into the archives.
 
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I load a lot of 223 (several thousand rounds per year) AND USE BALL POWDER EXCLSELVLY BECAUSE IT METER S SO WELL.

If you use a 55 gr or lighter bullet, you can have ignition problems. This can be mitigated with a firm crimp and better yet, a magnum primer. Heavier bullets work well with standard primers.
 
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