.223 Striker 16"Barrel Loads

[Appleseed]

Need a fast burning powder for Striker .223 16: barrel. Since there isn't anything on the shelves, have to use what's in the shop.

I have a selection of bullets from 55sp to 69's to 75gr. I'm loading Hornady 55 SP today and my manual suggest the IMR 4064 and Varget. I have some pistol powders in the loading room, Blue Dot and several others, but got them for rimless cases ...and never loaded for them. There are two powders that aren't in my manual but are specifically for .223. I'll go back out to check the "new powders."

[charlie b]

I would not use Blue Dot. It has some 'interesting' characteristics in certain load densities.

My best .223 loads (22" barrel) are varget and the 69 or 77gn Sierra Matchkings. 25.5 and 23.5gn respectively.

[Appleseed]

Just checked a new manual online, I have Reloader 7 and H 322. I can't get squat out of the fast to slow powder chart. What is the fastest of these 4 powders? This Needs To Be a fast burn powder load in the Striker 16" barrel.

The gun is killing it with cheap 55gr factory cartridges. What a surprise, and I'm kinda blind in one eye too.

I was going to try the BlueDot for reduced loads for trial only. It is an iffy proposition as you suggest.

[Blue Avenger]

H322 is #84 from the top
RL-7 is faster at #77
AR barrels are short and a very hot load of 322 works well

[Appleseed]

Great, what was needed, and have all three if ok with 55gr bullets. These powders aren't listed in my manual.

[Blue Avenger]

Hornaday 11th Edition

55gr
H322... 19.5 to 23.1 max is book load. many guys have gone to 24 but i didn't say that out loud and not in LC brass

Lyman 45th
RL7... 20 - 22gr max

[Appleseed]

Great!

[Robinhood]

what other powders do you have?

[Iowa Fox]

In my 15" 223 barrel my favorites are

H322 with 50 or 55 gr bullets

And

Blue Dot with 50 to 55 gr bullets

[Appleseed]

Lots of powders, rifle and pistol. Hadn't loaded last year due to injuries. In checking today:

CFE 223 maybe 4 lbs - Easy to meter and fast burning, will probably go this one due to the big jug. Must have been looking ahe4ad for once. It's not in my Hornady manual however.

H 4350
Reloader 7
IMR 4064 & 4198
Varget


Hornady 55 grain SP (two kinds) & Sierra 69 grain BTHP

[Blue Avenger]

cfe 223 is great in .308 also

[Appleseed]

Worked up some loads with this powder from 25-26.5. It is HOT in the Striker, much more so than factory loads, and louder too. Same bullets.


To tame it down, should I try another slower powder or drop this one below 25gr? I don't think it's recommended much below 25gr.

[Blue Avenger]

Worked up some loads with this powder from 25-26.5. It is HOT in the Striker, much more so than factory loads, and louder too. Same bullets.


To tame it down, should I try another slower powder or drop this one below 25gr? I don't think it's recommended much below 25gr.

awesome, LOL Now if you will let us know What Powder and what bullet so we can follow along?

[Appleseed]

CFE 223 25-26.5gr powder/55gr SP Hornady bullet. A big recoil and muzzle blast difference between it and American Eagle factory 55gr ammo.

[Blue Avenger]

ok, my new book is showing 24.8 as a low for the 55 gr sp
the 55 gr gmx shows 23.5... 22.8 for a nato load with the 55 gmx. GMX builds pressure faster and requires reduction in powder.
you could call Hodgen and ask about a reduced load it that is what you specifically want.
which one shot better? that is the direction you need to head for accuracy
the only other way to drop recoil and blast is lighter bullets.
maybe see it 40gr lead free are available. you still retain some bullet length, the longer length per weight in lead free for fingers that aren't as nimble as mine once were.

[Appleseed]

I have 300 55gr Hornady. Going to try Reloader 7 again in the Striker as I have 2 lbs.

It is a faster powder, but smaller charge than cfe223. I think when I got the cfe223 in that big tub was in plans to load for a .223/5.56 palmetto arms that remains unfired, have a bunch of federal bulk brass.

The old guys, (like me), at the two real gun shops in the county, load for a bunch of calibers. They have all retired now and my reloading neighbor that worked for the US Army in the 70's is still in jail. So my goto quick reply questions come to this forum and specialty pistols for the short barrel stuff. Thanks All.

I'm on the short list locally for a 7 twist Savage 12 of some sort this winter. So my 69, 75 and 80 grain bullets have some use before spring I hope. It's no difference here than anywhere, stuff I shoot just isn't on the shelves. I would stock pile some powder and bullets if possible, not enough to hoard, but enough to shoot for the next year.

This 1000yrd range is only a few miles away and the farmer that runs it shoots often with the 4 fingers remaining on his trigger hand...told me he doesn't load the 300winmag hot anymore. https://www.facebook.com/groups/347997508553693/ I'm not a facebook member, but these pictures look like hillbilly beards are the in thing this year at the range.