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favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

Mag 300

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Dec 31, 2006
    1,891
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    66
    Downers Grove Illinois
    looking for some help with starting loads for a Knight SR15 LRP rifle in 5.56
    What Powder works best with the 77 sierra Match Kings as I want to stick with heavier projectiles.

    Thanks Bill
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    23.5 H4895
    23.2 IMR 8208
    24.5 Varget
    24.0 RE15
    24.5 N140
    23.5 N135

    That should get you started. Those are in order of accuracy for me in several rifles, the H4895 was best in everything. You can take it up to 24.0 as well as the 8208. Little warm in a 1/7.7 krieger CLE chambered AR, but wylde and NATO chambers were fine. With the 1/7.7 CLE 20 in the 23.5 H4895 gives me 2820fps and best accuracy over all. 24.0 matches Mk262 @ 2850fps and groups opened up very slightly. Do not use standard primers use a mil or mag that has a harder cup. The 8208 load for 24.0 is just as accurate as the 23.2 load and matches mk262 perfectly in the wylde and NATO chambers.

    The Varget and RE15 loads are "standard" high power loads, just dirty and the Varget isn't very meter friendly for me, the RE15 is better.but dirtier. The N140 load is great just don't use that powder anymore. Pricey. The same for the N135

    Hope this helps.
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    benchmark is my fav for running thru Auto press and bulk production

    for my sled loads with 75amax
    2230
    shoots knots if i do my part

    lots of info in reloading section

    best tool and $$ well spent
    QuickLoad
    the money you save buying powders and testing is quickly recouped, tweaking input variables yields very accurate data.
    Sure its not cheap but once you learn to use it, invaluable
    If your serious about reloading its a must have tool IMHO
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    I'm thinking of jumping on the 8208XBR bandwagon.

    23.8gr with a 77gr CC gave me 2683fps and a 0.44" 5-shot 100yd group through a 1:8 18" AR.

    Got more loaded up to verify...
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    varget works really well to 600yds with the 77 gr and the 80's do even better out of my 1-7 twist A2
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BoilerUP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm thinking of jumping on the 8208XBR bandwagon.

    23.8gr with a 77gr CC gave me 2683fps and a 0.44" 5-shot 100yd group through a 1:8 18" AR.

    Got more loaded up to verify... </div></div>

    You'll hit a node around 24.0, but the window on nodes for 8208 is pretty small, and 24.3 is safe, 24.5 was way too hot. It's a finicky powder when you approach max but meters very well and is very consistent throughout the year.
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    I like VV N540 the most but can't always get it. I settled on RL15
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    I shoot 24 grains of Varget for 2700 fps. 24.5 gives me 2750, Mk262 spec.
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    8208 here as well. The other plus is that it hasn't disappeared off all the shelves locally.
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Gimpy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">8208 here as well. The other plus is that it hasn't disappeared off all the shelves locally. </div></div>

    8208 is the one powder I can find readily here local.
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    tac 24.0gr for 77gr pills. This is a max load, so work up smartly.
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    I tried some BlackHills in my newest boltgun.77gr Sierraoffering was shooting itty bitty groups. Decided to pull a bullet and see whats inside. Looks like BLC2 to me, I bought 7 pounds of the stuff so I hope its BLC2. Gonna feel pretty stupid when it turns out to be something else....but Iam pretty sure thst is what is in Black Hills 77gr ammo. Makes sense and the weight of the charge correlated to existing data for BLC2.
    Varget is really hard to beat but I opted for the better metering qualities of ball siince the accuracy is there. I expect Varget to shoot just as good and maybe a tad better.
     
    Re: favorite Powder for 5.56 / 223 using 77 gr SMK

    the word on BH 223 is that's it's TAC but BLC-2 should work well.