Anyone using WW748 in the .222 or .223?

[Frank V]

I am branching out since some powders are difficult to get while others are on the shelf.
I'm using CFE223 in the .222 Rem & H335 in the .223. I went in to get another can of CFE223 & there was none on the shelves. There was about 4 cans of WW748, it's in the proper burning rate for both ctgs. so I bought a can of it. I'm going to work up loads with 748 in both the .222 Rem. & .223 so if one powder is unavailable & the other is I can at least shoot.

I'm not really after specific loads, but how you like it & how well does it perform, if you've chronographer your loads I'd be interested in that. The Sierra & Hornaday manuals have it as one of the powders giving the highest velocities. I'm more interested in accuracy than the last fps we can squeeze out of a ctg. Being a sperical powder I'm sure it'll measure well. I'd appreciate hearing from those who have used it in either of those two ctgs.
Thanks.

[emtrescue6]

Yup...it's my favorite and only powder I use in the 223/556. I love ball powder in the 223, burns clean and efficient and I get good groups with just about every bullet I put in front of it in the 223 in both bolt and semi-auto rifles. Oh and it meters so well my powder thrower is usually within a 1/10 every throw...

[jdlouie]

I`m using 26 gr of 748 in 223 with 55gr FMJ. IMHO you need a mag or benchrest primer for best results. I have read that CFE 223 & 748 are the same powder.

[cranebird]

Winchester powder continues to be unavailable here. 748 is a great powder, I know you weren't looking for specific loads but try 24.5 gr with a 55 gr bullet in the .222 caliber.

[emtrescue6]

I do get better results with Remington 7 1/2 small rifle bench rest primers, but I get acceptable results with standard small rifle primers. I don't think cfe223 and WW748 are the same though....they are very close to the same burn rate though with BLC-2 between them.

[Frank V]

Thanks everyone. I just tried 748 in the .223, a Savage 12FV .204 that was keyholing bullets. I had Savage rebarrel it to .223. Got it back Monday & today I took it to the range & it gave me a 5 shot group with the Speer 50gr TNT & 748 that was 13/16". This group would have been near a half inch but for the last shot that was at 1 o'clock & out about 1/4". Might have been me loss of consentration, & we did have some mirage.
It's going to be tested again, but for the first time out I'm happy. Keep the suggestions coming I'm interested.
Thanks everyone.

[scope eye]

I use 748 when I load 223, due to most of the time you are loading 100 rounds or so, and I still use my powder drop instead of the Chargemaster, but it happens to be a good powder for that application.

Dean

[darkker]

The longtime bench rest load for a 55gr bullet, was 26.6gr of Win 748; in the 223.

Bl-c(2) and H335 are from the same powder. Win 748 is from that same family, with an updated additive package. CFE223 is also from the same basic family, with even more additive tweeking.

The tin/bismuth compounds that are the hailed copper cleaners were invented by the French around 1900. Win 748 & H414/Win760/AA2700 all have them also; just in different amounts.

[Frank V]

The longtime bench rest load for a 55gr bullet, was 26.6gr of Win 748; in the 223.

Bl-c(2) and H335 are from the same powder. Win 748 is from that same family, with an updated additive package. CFE223 is also from the same basic family, with even more additive tweeking.

The tin/bismuth compounds that are the hailed copper cleaners were invented by the French around 1900. Win 748 & H414/Win760/AA2700 all have them also; just in different amounts.

Thanks darkker that's interesting. I've known for several years that H414 & WW760 are the same.
I've gotten the same size groups & zero using the same powder charge with CFE223 & WW748 in the .223. I won't say they are the same, but they behave the same in my re-barreled rifle.

By the way....... Savage does a fantastic job rebarreling & are WAAAAAY less expensive than most routes.

[emtrescue6]

The longtime bench rest load for a 55gr bullet, was 26.6gr of Win 748; in the 223.

Bl-c(2) and H335 are from the same powder. Win 748 is from that same family, with an updated additive package. CFE223 is also from the same basic family, with even more additive tweeking.

The tin/bismuth compounds that are the hailed copper cleaners were invented by the French around 1900. Win 748 & H414/Win760/AA2700 all have them also; just in different amounts.

Great info!