AR2207 loads from 223 (40gr Zmax)

[Cooper]

I bought a bottle of ar2207 a while ago. I decided I would try and used some up with the 40gr projectiles. Thinking the faster burning powder and light projectiles would go well together?

Anyway the velocity with the AR2207 seemed to be quite erratic. I with beginning to think my scales were out. Getting up to 100fps difference using the Magneto speed and was getting around 2 inch groups. 22gr ar2207 was good for 3500fps. The ADI book max is 24gr. So I can keep working my way up... But I tired ar2206H and straight away my SD (standard deviation) dropped to 17fps (five shot group) and the group tightened up to about an inch.

So my question is should I bother to keep trying with the ar2207 or just switch to ar2206h or try something else. I also have AR2219, benchmark 8208 and AR2208?

[Gwion]

I did a rough and ready load development with 40gn bullets and BM8208 with very acceptable results of just inside the MOA mark.
I have some AR2207 to try out when i get the chance because i want a fast powder for my short barrel but so far out of BM2 and BM8208, the latter has been the mose consistent for me in 223rem.

[Apollo]

I think you will find that AR2207 is way too fast a powder for the .223R even with the lightest of bullet weights.

I experimented at one stage with 36gr Barnes and got some extremely accurate loads using BM2, maybe AR2219 might work well as it is very good with the .204Ruger. The AR2208 is the go to powder for heavier bullets like 69gr in a fast twist .223R but I would not use it for anything lighter than the 69gr bullets.

[Cooper]

Thanks for the replies. I think I already know the 8208 will probably just work! I'll try the Ar2219 to see what happens.
I kind of wanted to see what would happen and been abit of a tight arse at the same time. My local doesn't alway have Benchmark 8208 on the shelf and it is $110-115 per 1kg (the other powders usually $45 per 500gram) so was thinking I'd use the other stuff I had on the shelf!!! My 204 runs best on the 8208. The problem with 223 is I have a couple of different projectile options and two 223s. I just need to find a load that works in each of them and stop messing around. Thanks

[Apollo]

My CZ 527 Varmint (1:9 Twist) loves 55gr Berger Bullets driven with 25.5gr of BM2, tiny 1/4-1/2" Groups. I started at maximum magazine length and shortened slightly to get the tightest group. BTW, the same formula worked just as good in a friends Howa Varmint.

[Member-Deleted]

Have you thought of going up in bullet weight my son has a Ruger 223 and shoots 52gr and with AR2209 and BM2 he shoots almost a bug hole
Just a thought

[Cooper]

I've bought some BM2 (benchmark 2) only started down at near minimum at 25.5gr. Seems to working pretty good. I will do a bit of a ladder test and check some speeds with my Magneto speed. But so far looks pretty promising. I'll be using this load in my Weatherby Vanguard 1-12 twist. I'm am also going to try these 40gr bullets in my Howa Mini action 1-9 twist. Just out of interest. So far my Howa mini has grouped pretty everything I've thrown at acceptably. The Weatherby is much more finicky. It used to love the factory Winchester made in USA 45gr jacketed hollow points in the White 50 round value box. Once they they changed to the Australian made version they weren't as good and the price had increase from 60cents to a $1 or more per shoot. Hence I started reloading...