Changing my .223 and 748 loads

[lpspinner]

So after a bit of reading from the other thread with the 62gr bullet, I found a lot of interesting comments.

So with a 55gr FMJBT, I'm thinking of 25grs of 748 with an OAL of 2.255 (basically crimped at the top half of the cannelure).

This is out of a 16" AR.

Any feedback about this or should I try something else?

 

[alwslate]

W748 is a relatively slow burning forgiving powder when used with
55 gr or lighter bullets. I have seen many reloading articles on the 223
in which 27.5 - 28.0 grs W748 was listed as a standard full power
load with 55 gr bullets.

 

[geoff40]

I am no expert 5.56 hand loader, that first of all. What exactly are you trying to accomplish with the load? Range, etc?

 

[fredj338]

Reloading manuals are you friend, they all have data for W748 & 55gr bullets. Speer says 26gr is starting load.

 

[zeke]

Am using 27.0 gns 748 with Rem 7 1/2 primer, various cases, 55 fmjbt, about 2.250 col. Depending on specific bullet being used, the cannulure can end up out side the case mouth. The case mouths are not expanded, and use Redding comp seater for good tight fit. These are for short range practice rounds, usually open sights. While not max loads, the cases are pitched after 3 reloadings.

If wanting very accurate loads, or wanting better accuracy, am using a more accurate bullet like Sierra's 52 hpbt or Hdy v-max.

Quite frankly with the effort expended for case prep and less free time available, am starting to wonder why i use the cheaper bulk fmjbt bullets at all.

 

[tappedandtagged]

For my deer/hog round I'm using 26 grains of 748 and a 65 grain soft point. For a 55 grain bullet, I would think you would need more powder.

As a matter of fact, Sierra's manual states the starting load of W748 and a 55 grain bullet is 25.1 grains at around 2700 fps out of a 20" AR. Max shows 26.5 at around 2900 fps.

Hodgdon's website shows a max of 26.3 with a 55 fmj at 3100 fps (longer test barrel). I'd go with the Sierra data as it has been tailored for the AR platform.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

So with a 55gr FMJBT, I'm thinking of 25grs of 748 with an OAL of 2.255 (basically crimped at the top half of the cannelure).

This is out of a 16" AR.

Any feedback about this or should I try something else?

According to Hodgdon with that bullet and W748 the charge should be 26.3gr with no reduction. I personally don't agree with the old Winchester data because it's never a good idea to go right to the Max charge but that's the data Winchester and now Hodgdon provides.

Although there is nothing wrong with W748 in the .223 I would rather use a slightly faster Ball powder for that caliber, H335. I use a charge of 25.0gr H335 under a 55gr bullet for AR rifles. (or it's surplus cousin, WC844)

W748 is very similar to BL-C(2) or WC846 which works very well and is more suited for the other NATO caliber, the .308/7.62X51mm...

 

[WR Moore]

While you can use 748 for light bullet loads in the .223/5.56, there are better powders for the purpose. I personally didn't get anywhere near the groups with 748 and 55 gr bullets that I do with other powders more suited to the task. As someone mentioned, load data manuals are your friend. Especially ones that suggest accuracy loads.

On the other hand, I just dumped the 25.5 gr of 748 I use behind 69 gr SMKs, I didn't try working up loads. I did try working up loads with a 60 grain bullet and was really unimpressed, but this is for a bolt gun to shoot vermin.

I find IMR 4198 to be an excellent powder for 50-60 grain bullets in .223. There are others.

 

[zeke]

"According to Hodgdon with that bullet and W748 the charge should be 26.3gr with no reduction. I personally don't agree with the old Winchester data because it's never a good idea to go right to the Max charge but that's the data Winchester and now Hodgdon provides."

Just as an aside, the pressure the win manual lists for the 55 fmj and 26.2 grains 748 is 41,000 cup, in Win brass.

 

[rsrocket1]

With that combo at that COL you are at 44,000 psi which ought to get you about 2800 fps out of your 16" AR. Shoot about 10 at 100 yards and if you are satisfied with the accuracy, stick to it. I would not go too much higher although theoretically, you can get to about 26g before you start compressing the powder and you could go a couple of tenths higher before going over SAAMI specs, but why risk it unless you are trying to penetrate a helmet at 100 yards? If you are close to finding a node at 26 grains, you could also back off from 25.0g and find another node below that.

Personally, I found 25.0g of H335 to be the most accurate load in my 20" AR with 55g fmjbt's and that is close to the max load at 50kpsi and 3000 fps. That was a work up from 23.0g. Had I found a more accurate load at a lower charge I would have used it. No need to waste more powder or wear out the barrel more than necessary.

 

[SuperMan]

26.0 grains seems to be the magic number with my guns. Have used it with 55s, 62s, 63s, 64s, 69s and 75s with excellent results. Had a Remington 700V that would clover leaf 63 grain Sierra SMP bullets round after round.

Bob