Thread: Belmont action rifle and .223

Howdy
I had a brief play with BAR and some Sierra 55gn sp.Groups were ok for a goat load but has anybody got decent velocities with this powder?I've had 2900 fps with 2208 and hdy 55gn but that's about as fast as I've pushed them out of a 18" NEA
MARK

I could never get good groups with the NEA and light bullets. Sierra 77 grain SMKs shot 15mm groups all day but I could only get 2500fps with 2208. Never tried BAR and am off 1:7 twist barrels now.

@marky123

How many grains of powder where you using to get to 2900fps?

Belmont data suggest 26.6grs will get you over 3000fps in a 22" barrel.

So 2900fps in an 18" barrel might be as good as you get.

Cheers
Pete

that was the 2208 load Peter
26.4gns of BAR gave 2800fps
i might have a slow barrel mate

.223 loads always give disappointing velocity in military 5.56 barrels. You need to run a longer barrel or make up your own load data to get them going fast. For example last week I chronied a 55gr load out of my 16" M4. 25.5gr of BM2 was giving me 2650fps on average.

Compare that to proper mil spec loads that can achieve 3000fps out of the same type of barrel. They are loaded much hotter.

that's the .223/5.56mm difference.

Originally Posted by marky123

that was the 2208 load Peter
26.4gns of BAR gave 2800fps
i might have a slow barrel mate

Was there any pressure signs at 26.4grns?

Is their any case capacity remaining?

Another 0.2grns might make a slight difference.

Also the figures quoted by Belmont are book maximum ..... Not real world maximum.

The only alternative is to try different powders ..... W748 or H322 or H335 For instance.

Cheers
Pete

I thought the Belmont stuff was just repacked 748, 760 etc

Originally Posted by Beavis

I thought the Belmont stuff was just repacked 748, 760 etc

Dunno.

I thought it fell somewhere between 2206and 2209.

Cheers
Pete

http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...powders-26341/

Originally Posted by Beavis

.223 loads always give disappointing velocity in military 5.56 barrels. You need to run a longer barrel or make up your own load data to get them going fast. For example last week I chronied a 55gr load out of my 16" M4. 25.5gr of BM2 was giving me 2650fps on average.

do you regard that as slow or normal for length?Have you pushed it as hard as milspec loads?

no pressure signs as far as I could see.
I went to 26.7 and the groups didnt really change any
might go up a bit more

I've pushed loads a few grains over max with no ill results. The max for 748 is around 28 grains with a 55gr, I've seen that in Nick Harvey's load data. Some data is quite a bit lower than that and when I used it found it produced pretty weak loads. Of all the powder I've used 2206H has always given the best MV irrespective of barrel length or projectile. I was honestly abit bewildered to see the above load I mentioned going so slow.

@marky123

Is there any more room left in your case?

Might not want to compress the load.

Belmonts web page says Action Rifle Powder sits between 2206H and 2208

I got plenty of W748 & BM2 if your keen to try some.

Cheers
Pete