Finally found some powder, in this case some Win 748. I will be loading some 55gr HP Dog Towns for my MP 15. The Speer manual calls for a much heavier load with mag primers than the Hodgdon site, which is not calling for mag primers.

Anyone have some experience with this powder? I have both CCI 400 and 450 primers, no issues there. Any experience to share? Appreciate all input.

With 748, you want to use mag primers OR the CCI #41. WW748 is the best powder for .223 and 7.62 IMHO. Being a ball powder, it meters very nice and is consistent.

I used to load 27.0 grains of W748 under a 52-grain Sierra MatchKing for my Remington Model 700BDL but recently tried Benchmark and Varget with that same bullet. My new load is 24.5 grains of Benchmark - it shot into one ragged hole at 100 yards at an average of 3,095fps.

Another .223, a Remington Model 700VTR, likes 25.0 grains of Benchmark under a 50-grain Nosler Varmint Ballistic Tip. That load in that rifle yields one-hole groups at 3,212fps.



The .223 is a very handloader-friendly cartridge that seems to shoot decently with almost any recipe.

Ed

Nice shooting AveragEd!

This thread reminds me I need to get out and fire my initial test batch for .223 loaded 55gr. Hornady FMJ's w/cannelure with Benchmark.

WW 748 would be one of my go to powders for the 223 with the 55 grain bullets. The Lyman manual lists some high charges. 27 to 28 grains works well. 748 meters very well and you could not go wrong using it. I've used it for decades in the 223 and 308. Bob!

Thoughts on primers?

I knew when I posted that message that I was forgetting some things.

First, primers - I use only CCI BR-2 or BR-4 Benchrest primers unless I'm loading a true magnum cartridge.

Next, the reason I looked at other powders is that I learned that W748 is very temperature-sensitive. It becomes hard to ignite in cold weather and hot weather causes its pressures to rise more than most other powders. That could be very important when you spend a hot summer day hunting varmints under a bright sun. Likewise, your point of impact could change significantly if you are predator hunting on a crisp, cold winter day.

Thanks for the compliment. While I'm showing off, here's a 3,710 fps group I recently shot with a Model 700VLS in 6mmREM.



I tried every powder that traditionally is supposed to work in medium-capacity cartridges without the kind of accuracy I hoped for from that rifle until I tried Varget. It really let that Berger bullet strut its stuff!

Ed

I recently experimented with Ramshot Xterminator, Hodgdon H322 and Winchester 748 on the .223 using 55gr FMJ's from Prvi Partisan (not a bad bullet btw).

The firearm is a DPMS AR with a 14.5" barrel. Testing was conducted at an altitude of 4500' with a temperature of 72 degrees F. and a humidity of 42%. The following are my best results with the 748:

Max 2940
Min 2874 (on the original post I copied this wrong, sorry)
Avg 2909
ES 66
SD 20

Group was a sliver over an inch from 5 shots at 100 yards.

Not bad considering it was coming out of a standard production AR. There certainly is potential with a better shooter at the controls and a more accurized firearm.

I settled on the Xterminator load. it was slightly more consistent with almost exactly the same accuracy. However if I run out of Xterm and were forced to use the 748, I would not shed a tear. It really was a coin toss...

ETA: Primer was CCI #400 standard small rifle primer. Cartridge OAL was 2.250"

I haven't chronographed my loads yet (soon but assuming 3,170 fps) but I use 26.2 grains W748 behind a Hornady 55 FMJ bullet. Primer is CCI-450 - now CCI-41. Cases are always LC or WCC military. Shoots accuartely for me in my 15 Magpul Mid and my old SP1. No feed or eject issues ever. Good luck.

Win 748 is temp sensitive and I find the loads in the 27 grains and above too hot for summer temps. I recommend 25.9 to 26.4 grains of 748 with 55 fmj bullets. These levels are safe with all cases I've used and with any primer suitable for loading AR's. Loads made for AR's are even higher pressure in tighter, shorter throated bolt action. The 25.9-26.4 grains of 748 with 55 grain bullets are fine in my bolt actions. CCI 450's are the primer recommended for AR's but some use the 400's with no problems. I'd use the 450's. A good powder for .223 but I prefer H335 for 55 grain bullets if you can find it.

In 1985 or so, I bought my Dillion 450. Using mixed brass, small base dies CCI primers, 748, and Winchester 55 FMJ surplus projectiles, I loaded about 20,000 rounds of 223. After 20 years in the barn we played with some of the ammo. Out of two different Cooper 21 rifles, we got 100 yard one hole groups. 748 meters great, and is stable over time! Ivan

The Sierra Bullets manual does not ask for magnum primers with 748. I've used their data and loaded 748 with generic 55 FMJBTs and standard SRPs. Good results. Primary virtue of 748 is it meters so nicely.

Otherwise I like Alliant's RE-7 and RE-10X. Much more economical. Less powder for the same bang.

__________________
USAF, 69-92
Vietnam, 72-73

All the older reloading manuals list magnum primers with the majority of ball powders. The deterrent coating on double base ball powders makes them harder to ignite.

You will also hear people say 748 is a dirty powder, the reason for this is not using hotter primers and getting a clean burn.

This is important in rifles with shorter barrels, I have three .223/5.56 rifles with 16, 20 and 26 inch barrels. With standard primers the shorter the barrel the more powder residue you will have.

In my 26 inch Bolt action I use BR-4 primers, in the AR15s I use Remington 7 1/2 primers. Some of you will say that the Remington 7 1/2 primer is not a magnum primer, BUT Remington ran Lake City Army ammunition plant and used the 7 1/2 primer in the 5.56.

Look at the photos of the Rem 7 1/2 primer midway down the page below.

Primers - Small Rifle Primer Study
The Rifleman's Journal: Primers - Small Rifle Primer Study