ADI Powder for 223 Load

[Yes]

Hi everyone,

Been doing a lot of reading here with regard to which powder to use for my 223 loads - first time loading for rifle, but have loaded more 9mm than I care to remember.

Here are the basics:

Tikka T3X Hunter 1:12 (new gun)
New Lapua Brass
55g Sierra Super Roo Game Kings
CCI 400 Primers
Loaded on a Dillon 550c with Dillon Dies.
Still need to grab the electric Lyman case trimmer - that's on its way - and a debur/chamfering tool (recommendations for that?).

Primary objective: good hunting load (Roos, Foxes) - with some accurate plinking/target action thrown in.

First thing I wanted to check: am I correct in thinking that the Speer Soft Point 55g load data provided by ADI is interchangeable with the Sierra Super Roo 55g?

If so - the plan is to grab the small tubs of 2206H (500g) and 8208 (think it only comes in 1kg?) and work up from ADI's minimum to just under the max load data in incremental steps. Seems that the 2206H and 8208 have been consistently recommended for the 223/55g set-up, so I thought I'd do some of my own testing across the min/max load range. I also like that the 8208 gives you 2.3 grains of variance between min and max loads - seems that there is a lot of scope to dial in accuracy.

Anyway, happy to hear thoughts on my reloading set-up/projectile data confirmation.

Cheers!

[Ziege]

My load for 223

Nosler Varmaggeddon 55gn ballistic tip
25gn 2206H
PPU brass (and some hornady brass)
loaded to factory length to match Hornady ballistic tip factory ammo

the firearm,
Howa 223 Varmint barrel
1:8 twist rate




My old mans 223

Winchester model 70
1:12 twist rate

his loading data

55gn varmaggeddon ballistic tip
24.5gn 2206H
Lapua and Winchester Brass



Both Rifles shoot sub moa, both shoot that consistently.

[Yes]

My load for 223

Nosler Varmaggeddon 55gn ballistic tip
25gn 2206H
PPU brass (and some hornady brass)
loaded to factory length to match Hornady ballistic tip factory ammo

the firearm,
Howa 223 Varmint barrel
1:8 twist rate




My old mans 223

Winchester model 70
1:12 twist rate

his loading data

55gn varmaggeddon ballistic tip
24.5gn 2206H
Lapua and Winchester Brass



Both Rifles shoot sub moa, both shoot that consistently.

Sound like good loads!
What primers are you guys using?

[Ziege]

CCI

[Oldbloke]

2206H & 2208 are both very versatile powders and can be used to load a large variety of cartridges. Suggest you use 1 of those.

[Peter988]

I use 23.5 gr of 8208 with the super roo game kings. Works well.

[JimTom]

BM8208 goes well with 55gn pills in .223. AR2206H pretty good too.

[in2anity]

Considering it’s a “hunter” just get 06H and go shoot. Do some ladder testing if you want to optimize your groups, but at the end of the day it’s a “hunter” not a “targeter”.

[bladeracer]

Hi everyone,

Been doing a lot of reading here with regard to which powder to use for my 223 loads - first time loading for rifle, but have loaded more 9mm than I care to remember.

Here are the basics:

Tikka T3X Hunter 1:12 (new gun)
New Lapua Brass
55g Sierra Super Roo Game Kings
CCI 400 Primers
Loaded on a Dillon 550c with Dillon Dies.
Still need to grab the electric Lyman case trimmer - that's on its way - and a debur/chamfering tool (recommendations for that?).

Primary objective: good hunting load (Roos, Foxes) - with some accurate plinking/target action thrown in.

First thing I wanted to check: am I correct in thinking that the Speer Soft Point 55g load data provided by ADI is interchangeable with the Sierra Super Roo 55g?

If so - the plan is to grab the small tubs of 2206H (500g) and 8208 (think it only comes in 1kg?) and work up from ADI's minimum to just under the max load data in incremental steps. Seems that the 2206H and 8208 have been consistently recommended for the 223/55g set-up, so I thought I'd do some of my own testing across the min/max load range. I also like that the 8208 gives you 2.3 grains of variance between min and max loads - seems that there is a lot of scope to dial in accuracy.

Anyway, happy to hear thoughts on my reloading set-up/projectile data confirmation.

Cheers!

I like both AR2206H and BM8208 for the .223, but lean toward AR2206H due to its versatility and being available in 4kg bottles.
Yes, data for copper-jacketed lead bullets of similar shape is interchangeable.
Very little load data will list minimum charges, they are are merely starting points, you can reduce the loads further if you wish to, especially with the AR2206H.

[animalpest]

I use 2206H with the Super Roo bullets in my roo and fox rifle used professionally (8 nights per month for that rifle). Used in a Tikka T3. Shoots very tight groups.

You may not be able to seat bullets to the ideal distance from the lands because of the magazine so just load them to fit the mag and go shoot.

[Yes]

I use 2206H with the Super Roo bullets in my roo and fox rifle used professionally (8 nights per month for that rifle). Used in a Tikka T3. Shoots very tight groups.

You may not be able to seat bullets to the ideal distance from the lands because of the magazine so just load them to fit the mag and go shoot.

Thanks for this - I know that WR makes a Mag that accommodates COL out to 2.66". And Tikka make the M+ mags, but in other calibres. My understanding is the max COL that will fit in the 223 Tikka mags is 2.290"?

[Larry]

I would suggest that you also try 2208 it appears a bit slow compared to the 8208 and BM powders that are often used. However I have found that it gives a very accurate load, without giving up much speed.

[Bello]

Hi mate
I have been using 8208 in two if my 223 rifles, one with a 1/12 twist the other 1/8 twist, I have used both super roo and 55gr v-max. Both with good results as long as I do my part.

[SCJ429]

For 50 and 55 grain projectiles, the 2206H powder has the ideal fill and will achieve the best velocities. Both 2208 and 8208 can give you good results but 2206H is the preferred powder. If you can't get 2206H to work, then you're not trying.

[TassieTiger]

Excellent results here with 2206h - have settled on 62g tap using 23.5gns powder 1:9 twist

[in2anity]

For 50 and 55 grain projectiles, the 2206H powder has the ideal fill and will achieve the best velocities. Both 2208 and 8208 can give you good results but 2206H is the preferred powder. If you can't get 2206H to work, then you're not trying.

+1.

2206H can also be used for various 30cal, and also fast burning enough for reduced loads. It’s a versatile powder and “good enough” for lots of applications.

[straightshooter]

I would suggest that you also try 2208 it appears a bit slow compared to the 8208 and BM powders that are often used. However I have found that it gives a very accurate load, without giving up much speed.

Yes 2208 is an underappreciated powder among the 'cognoscenti' of this forum.
I have obtained just under 3400 fps out of a 20" 1 in 9 barrel with a well compressed load of 2208 in Winchester cases and 55 grain FMJ projectiles seated to magazine length and no over pressure signs. A 24 inch barrel would probably add at least another 100 fps.

[in2anity]

wow "cognoscenti" - had to google that one. Indeed there are people here with an inflated sense of expertise.

AR2208 is far from underappreciated. It's the obvious choice when you want more case fill, with slightly lower pressures. A great palma rifle and service powder, with fractionally more "felt" recoil than AR2206H. Nevertheless I fail to see where OP, who is developing a load for a hunting rifle, is saying "I have a case fill/pressure problem". He is just starting out.

[Ziege]

I love 2208 in my 270, but don't use it elsewhere, A lot of people I know use 2209 in their 270 but I dont see it performing like 2208 can.

[in2anity]

I love 2208 in my 270, but don't use it elsewhere, A lot of people I know use 2209 in their 270 but I dont see it performing like 2208 can.

AR2209 has it's place. Bullet weight restrictions like the 155gr palma requirements mean a bigger void, and AR2209 is less dense, meaning a better fill. Horses for courses. Personally I don't like the recoil of AR2209 in a light 30cal (like a service rifle), so I opt for faster powder, like AR2208, or even AR2206H.

[Ziege]

I use the 2209 in my 300win and I like it, its good. but yeah everything has its place.

[Diamond Jim]

I use 2206H because it works in my .223 and a couple of other rifles I load for. Only having to buy one bottle of powder is a plus for me. I typically pick a starting point mid way between Min and Max in the ADI data and that works for me.

[in2anity]

Only having to buy one bottle of powder is a plus for me.

Yup. Perfect candidate for the big 4kg bottle. AR2206H adequately runs my 204,223,30/30,303,308

[boingk]

Just to add to this one, I use 20gn of 2207 with 50gn Speer softpoints and it runs nicely.

- boingk

[macjeffrey]

FYI my tikka varmint 223 likes 55gn super roos and 26gn of 2206H. Very tight groups. My usual fox load. Oh and cci match primers.

[goldiexxxx]

For super roo loads in a 1:12 twist Ruger M77 MkII.

24.5 gr AR2206H or
25.5 gr AR2208 ( slightly tighter groups)

However, target accuracy is with a 50gr SP and 21gr AR2207.

All using CCI SR 400 primers

[SCJ429]

What made you pick 2207 for your accuracy load?

Couldn't you get the same speed and accuracy from 2206H?

[goldiexxxx]

I already had this load for another rifle and it works just as well in my Ruger. The other rifle was a Zastava .222 1:14 twist that had been reamed to .223. The 1:14 twist would not stabilise anything heavier than the 50 gr bullets it was designed for, regardless of what anyone claims a 1:14 barrel should be able to use. I got best results when I used the .222 load data, regardless of the fact there was now a .223 case holding the bullet and charge. When I loaded as if it was still a .222 it performed with all the accuracy .222s are renowned for, but only with 50gr bullets max.
My .223 Ruger Mk II 1:12 twist still shoots this load more accurately than my two 55gr hunting loads.

[SCJ429]

Stability of the bullet is obtained by the twist of the rifling and the speed you push a bullet through it. You may find that if you have enough speed, you will be able to stabilise 55 grain bullets. Have you chronographed your load of 21 grains of 2207? This load may struggle to produce 3,100 fps where a load of 2206H or 2208 may get you to 3,600 fps and give you the RPM and stability you need. I don't have a 1:14 barrel on a 223 but I have seen 222 with this twist shooting 55 or heavier bullets.

[goldiexxxx]

I dont have that rifle anymore, but yes i did chrono the 21gr load and it was right on 3100fps average. How much 2206H would send a 55gr down a 1:14 to get 3600fps? Would it even fit in the case?