.223 help 68gr bullets, Win 748 powder

[Lovesbeer99]

I bought some Hornady 68gr Match BTHP and I'm having a hard time with load data. I'm got the speer #13 and the closest bullet weight is 70gr. I checked various posts and I've seen a common load as 24.5 grains of Win 748powder. Is it safe to load 25 grains of 748 with this bullet weight? Is this close to or over the max? Anyone have another source to cross check?
If you do respond please indicate your source, and thanks in advance.

Lovesbeer99

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

I hope this answers your question:

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Don't Tread - thanks for the page. Better safe than sorry so I'll unload those rounds and start over. When I saw the load data the 1st time, I was under the impression 24.5 grs of 748 was the starting load so I loaded at 25gr. But I had a funny feeling in my gut so I thought I'd ask the question anyway and I'm glad I did.

Again better safe than sorry.

REgards,
Lovesbeer99

 

[Don't Tread On Me]

The Hornady 68gr BTHP is 1gr lighter than the Sierra 69gr SMK, BUT...it is much longer. So it is much more sensitive to seating depth. I was told to use 69smk data and work up slowly. I did, and it worked out fine, but I saw the velocity ramp up much faster. It just takes up more case capacity thus raising pressures. I wouldn't go that route. I've made it a policy of mine that I just load whatever I have full published load data for. No more guess work or "close" when it comes to components.

Black Hills loads their factory 68gr ammo to 2,850. Accurate Arms told me it can be loaded up to 3,000fps with certain powders ...BUT, I've found it to just stress the brass and not be as accurate.


At least with that you have some concrete published data from a large reputable company using their bullet, and which has your very powder listed.


ALWAYS start from min and work up. You'd be surprised (if you're new to this).

 

[Lovesbeer99]

My 1st batch with this bullet and powder was 24.5gr Win748 and seated at 2.245 COAL. And your right the bullet is very long. I was not happy with the results so I thought I'd start loading up assuming that 24.5 of Win748 was the starting load so I went to 25 grains and seated to 2.250. I will have to pull these apart. I'll reload these at 23.5 of Win 748 or maybe even just 23.

I've had good results with 52gr Match BTHP but I'd like to test some of the heavier rounds. Have you any good recipies with 68 or 69 gr bullets?

Thanks again for all the feedback.

Lovesbeer99

 

[dcloco]

Try www.hodgdon.com/ as well. They own the rights to Winchester powders now.


Cartridge: 223 Remington (Win)
Load Type: Rifle
Starting Loads

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum Loads

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bullet Weight (Gr.) Order BW Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L. Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure Grs. Vel. (ft/s) Pressure

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

50 GR. PSP 50 748 .224" 2.120" 26.0 3200 40,000 CUP
52 GR. HPBT 52 748 .224" 2.120" 25.5 3160 40,500 CUP
53 GR. HP 53 748 .224" 2.120" 26.0 3200 43,500 CUP
55 GR. FMJ 55 748 .224" 2.120" 26.2 3170 41,000 CUP
55 GR. PSP 55 748 .224" 2.120" 26.3 3150 39,000 CUP
62 GR. FMJ 62 748 .224" 2.120" 25.5 2985 49,200 PSI
64 GR. PP 64 748 .224" 2.120" 25.0 2970 47,500 PSI
69 GR. HPBT 69 748 .224" 2.120" 24.5 2870 51,500 PSI

 

[Lovesbeer99]

dcloco - that's the info I saw and look at the last line for the 69 gr. It appears that the 24.5 grains is max load but it doesn't say that anywhere so I thought it was close to starting. They should make it clearer as it could be dangerous.

Thanks for the reply.
Lovesbeer99

 

[jmorris]

In Hornady’s 4th edition reloading hand book they list a max load of 25.8 grains of 748 with the 68grBTHP when I worked up the load I stopped at 25.0 with 2.25 OAL

 

[joeg26er]

68gr bthp match inaccurate in 1/9

68gr bthp match
is very inaccurate in 1/9 twist 16" middy
talking 8 to 10" groups at 100 yards - not joking

68gr hornady bthp match
26.6gr W748 gives 2850 fps
loaded to max oal to fit GI mag

On the other hand, the rifle is capable of MOA, perhaps even sub MOA
if I do my part even handicapped with a 2MOA red dot
with
55gr Win fmj bt wc
26.6gr W748 gives 2750 fps
loaded to 2.223 inches
Win SR Primers
S&B cases

The question is: how can I load the 68gr so it performs even decently...or as accurate as it should.

Am I simply loading the 68gr too long?

PS - the chamber is tight on this AR
by tight I mean when a round is chambered, it is real hard to extract it by pulling on the charging handle. It does extract properly when fired.
yes, I am FL re-sizing with Hornady dies

 

[kelbro]

It's really odd that all of my rifles shoot the SMK 69gr so well and I tried the 68gr in tow different rifles and could not get the to group worth a hoot. Hornady bullets usually perform very well for me. That one is a puzzler...

 

[freakshow10mm]

Back from the dead.

 

[Walkalong]

Not dead, just on life support.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

Well since it's up again....

I've shot 69gr Black Hills match in my gun and they work just great. I just can't seam to replicate it. No worries though. I've got good consistant loads in 52gr and 55 gr bullets.

 

[fisherdee]

Look at the Winchester Data for 64gr PP.
64 GR. PP 64 748 .224" 2.120" 25.0 2970 47,500 PSI
Why is the OAL only 2.120. That seems pretty short to me.