Light .223 target load

[Jfoster99 80]

So I have worked up 50 rounds of IMR 4198 19gr and 50 rounds of BL-C(2) 25gr. Both with a 55gr Bullit. I hope to function test them next week.

 

I went back to Davis to pick up more BL-C(2) since it metered perfectly and of course they were out. So I ended up getting Winchester 748 and Hodgdon Varget to try.

 

I want to make up 10-20 very light loads for my daughter to shoot after I function check my loads... Just enough to power to cycle and get the bullet 50 yards on target.

 

Can anyone suggest a low power load from the powders above that will still function a clean well lubricated rifle. Or a rough formula ( 75% of a starting load should function a clean rifle????)

 

I will be shooting a stock 16" BushMaster XM15-E2S that is well broken in clean and frog lubed.

 

 

[Vlad G 345]

That will depend on your gun, but with 748 my gun starts having cycle issues bellow 20gr. I also really don't like it for light loads because it seems to burn incompletely and dirties up the gun more then other things. Well, I find 748 to be dirtier anyway, but seems more so at lighter loads. At about 22gr it runs my guns but doesn't feel all that much softer. 

 

My favorite light load is 22gr of TAC with 55gr bullets, but TAC is really hard to find now. 

 

I never tried light loads with BLC-2 or Varget,

[T Bill 649]

I will have to check my load ladders later for W748 and Varget.  W748 is not meant for light loads it needs a good charge for complete burning.  My 100 yard target load for W748 is 25.0 grains. Varget is very good with heavier weights and decent charges.  Just be careful not to drop your charge weights below published starting load data.  Sometimes a dangerous condition may result and instead of getting a "burn" you will get a "bang", as in explosion.  Very dangerous.  I suspect you may have to change over to a faster buring powder for complete burn. You also have to be very careful about "squib" loads as not enough powder will leave the bullet in the barrel, dangerous obstruction.  Low power loads and ARs do not play well in the sandbox.

 

How about a 22LR bolt conversion, 10 round mag,  and a box of 22LRs?

[MidwestPX 172]

The lightest I go with 748 in .223 is about 22 grains.

[GRIZ 3,369]

+1 for what T Bill said. Light charges of slow burning powders can result in secondary explosion effect (S.E.E.). This can happen with ball powders in the medium burn range. Use stick powders and only from published data.

 

Speer used to list reduced loads for 223 in their manual but I don't know if they still do.

[Vlad G 345]

BTW, I very much doubt that a couple of grains bellow starting load will result in any catastrophe. Personally I'm not actually convinced they can happen, but regardless a couple of grains down will certainly not do it. 

 

I think ARs will quit being semi-auto long before that happens.  There are people running 40gr bullets at .22 Hornet velocities out of ARs using fast powders, and have to go to pretty much all titanium components and short gas systems to make the gun cycle and they aren't blowing themselves up.

[T Bill 649]

One powder I know that has a terrible SEE effect is H110/W296 esp. in pistol loads. 

 

The lowest starting charge I have in my notes that cycle for 55FMJ is W748 22.5gr., and Varget 22.6  for an estimated 2800FPS.  I have loads for pistol powder and lead bullets but these will not cycle a semi-auto.  You will need to check the bore after each shot, some of my notes show some unburned powder in bore.

[Jfoster99 80]

Thanks I'll make up some 22.5gr W748 and she how it works out... She has been shooting .22lr for years in a dedicated spikes upper but wants to try the real deal.

[Old School 611]

I bet she can't tell the difference between 22 and my standard 24,5 load