Thread: .223 Velocity With Heavier Pills

Been using a .223 for many years now but only ever used 55gr to 62gr loads. Thought I might give some heavier pills a go so loaded up some 75gr elds. They have been killing really well, both deer and goats.

However I put them over the chronograph the other day out of interest and the load of 22.7gr of AR2208 was giving me a fairly anemic velocity of 2520fps.
This is out of a Howa mini action.

What has everyone else found to get a bit higher velocity with the heavy pills?
Was thinking of giving the 77gr tmks a go soon too.

Cheers

22-250 case.......

I've shot 80 gr A-Max out of a 1:7 twist 26" barrel Savage Model 12.
With 24.7 gr of 2208 these punched paper out to 1000 yards (in light to medium winds).

Can't recall what the muzzle velocity was but the ballistics are similar to a 308 firing 155 gr pills.
My guess would be 2800-2850 fps.

Originally Posted by mimms2

Also the old "if it ain't broke..."
How did you get to that charge weight? Why do you want more velo?

Sorry I buggered that charge rate up and have no idea how to edit the post, it is supposed to say 23.7gr so only just over a grain off max.
I stuck with that as it was the most accurate. 25gr down just didn't shoot too well.
I was just surprised when I put it over the chrony that it was so far below what I expected the velocity to be, usually with adi powder they aren't too far off.
Hence the questioning about other powders etc. If I could get another couple of hundred fps or more out of out of it I would be happier, shoot a bit flatter and have a bit more whack at the other end. 2520 just seems a little slow especially when max load gives 2900.

I get 2970 fps with 75gr eldms out of a 22 inch barrel using 2206H

Originally Posted by GWH

I get 2970 fps with 75gr eldms out of a 22 inch barrel using 2206H

Yup. 2930 with same powder and 77 Sierra TMK.

Originally Posted by TLB

Been using a .223 for many years now but only ever used 55gr to 62gr loads. Thought I might give some heavier pills a go so loaded up some 75gr elds. They have been killing really well, both deer and goats.

However I put them over the chronograph the other day out of interest and the load of 22.7gr of AR2208 was giving me a fairly anemic velocity of 2520fps.
This is out of a Howa mini action.

What has everyone else found to get a bit higher velocity with the heavy pills?
Was thinking of giving the 77gr tmks a go soon too.

Cheers

Greetings TLB,
I crunched the numbers for your load of 23.7 grains of AR2208 behind the 75 grain pill, Hodgdon used a JLK VLD projectile in the ADI/ Hodgdon data. I used a 20 inch barrel and the velocity came out to 2,670 fps. My .223 rifles are pretty well right on the button with AR2206H but I have had less than projected velocity with AR2208 in other rifles where AR2206H was right on the button.
It crossed my mind that you may have a slow lot of powder or your rifle has a 5.56mm chamber (if so it should be stamped). In any case I believe that AR2208 is too slow for the .223. I have found AR2206H a bit slow as well in my short necked chambers so am going to BM8208 which is a little quicker and denser. Interestingly BM 8208 is close to the old AR2206 I used to use before is disappeared in favour of AR2206H.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings TLB,
In any case I believe that AR2208 is too slow for the .223.
Regards Grandpamac.

Clearly experiences vary.
I've shot 80gr A-Max with 24.7 gr of 2208 out to 1000 yards.
Worked for me.

Cyclops

tikka 223 1-8 18inch barrel.
75eldm at 2710. using ar2208

21" barrel. 69gr TMK @ 2995. AR2206H

Originally Posted by GWH

I get 2970 fps with 75gr eldms out of a 22 inch barrel using 2206H

That's more like it....2208 does give a reasonable velocity and clearly some guys are getting in but my rifle must just have a "slow" barrel or something.
I'd be stoked with that velocity! Shot many animals with those pills?

23" 2906 with 80 amax snd 2208. Cant remember charge without book

I played around with several powders years ago and found 2206h or bm8208 gave better accuracy and consistently higher velocities than 4064, 3031 or 2208. 2206h was more readily available and became my standard powder for most cals.
Results may vary though.