Hi All,
hope you all have had a safe and happy holidays.

I've been reloading for .223 (M70 winchester varmint / CZ527 Varmint Kevlar 1in 9 and over barrel suppressor), using ADI Benchmark 2. Bullet weights from 52 to 80 gr. Powder charges from 22 to 26 grs depending on projectile weight. Well I'm about to run out of BM2, and thinking if I want to change powder. I'm now reloading for the CZ as the win was sold on. Results have been good, but not stunning. Considering maybe IMR 4198 or Win748 (which has just become available again for me), bullet weight 55 to 69grs. Targets will be small animals up to fallow deer, ranges 0 to 300 yards and the odd paper punching session. Anyone have any suggestions? I did check a few posts, and these two powders seemed to a good choice. I'm looking for .5 moa eventually, but my rifle is factory with the HS Prescion stock, and custom suppressor. Getting close with Hornady 60gr SP 24gr BM2, 69gr Targex hand mad bullets. I have a whole bunch of Hornady 55 SP I'd like to use up (goat culling ammo 1.5 moa would work).
Anyway any help or your experiences that would help are appreciated.
cheers
Brendon

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...all to often, goodluck, is the result of hard work...

You'll likely find both W748 and IMR 4198 quite satisfactory. I'd start with W748, because its easy to meter. You might want a magnum primer with this powder though. Everything I've seen has indicated that ball powders need magnum primers, although I can't tell one lick of difference in the loads I've built up.

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Buy American, it may be your own job you are saving.
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Thanks mattsbox99. I'm probably going to try atleast one of them, and I can go back to the ADI benchmark 2 if I wasn't to have success. I realise I have to give it go to see what works best, but any help / narrowing of the field is always helpfull, as components are only getting more expensive here. cheers Brendon

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...all to often, goodluck, is the result of hard work...

mattbox99,
little off topic, I posted a while ago showing my riffle and suppressor. You posted re: restrictions and paperwork / costs in NZ. Sorry with holidays etc. I didn't reply until now. No paper work, no restriction on using for hunting game or varmints, just stump up with the money for the suppressor - and away you go! Now if I could just import a few reloading components I'd be really happy!

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...all to often, goodluck, is the result of hard work...

I never thought I'd never say you were lucky to be in New Zealand... we're definetly feeling the pinch here...

On a side note, some things are coming down in price - .223 ammo is dropping, a month ago it was $420 per 820 rounds, today it is $370 per 820 and I know another guy selling it for $380 per 1000 for new PMC 55 gr FMJ/BT.

__________________
Buy American, it may be your own job you are saving.
UTU, TY&E Service, BNSF

I don't even look at loaded ammo for the 223 here. I tried some very cheap Wolf and Banaul. The Wolf wouldn't even chamber in the CZ, and the Banaul (if I have the name right), chambers sometimes. The price is from $20 for 20 upto $65 per 20. I did see a 50 round pack of Hornady coyote FMJ for $45.00. I'd sooner reload, and spend the money on powder/ primers / projectiles and new brass every now and again.
Thankfully the .270 only goes after deer and doesn't chew up as many rounds as the .223 or .22 .
cheers

__________________
...all to often, goodluck, is the result of hard work...

My Savage 12FV with a 1 in 9 twist likes 55 grain bullets ahead of 21.5 g of H4198 for 3150 fps. This has become my basic load. It shoots under .5 inch all day.

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IMR 4198 produces astonishing accuracy sometimes. H4198 is almost identical, and is also sold as ADI AR 2207. 748 shines with heavier bullets; 69 grains and up. I haven't tried it with anything lighter.

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Nick

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CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor
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"First contemplation of the problems of Interior Ballistics gives the impression that they should yield rather easily to relatively simple methods of analysis. Further study shows the subject to be of almost unbelievable complexity." Homer Powley

Thanks guys. Just bought some IMR 4198 to try - got a good deal. Just have to go and get it, as its a little way down country.
cheers
Brendon

__________________
...all to often, goodluck, is the result of hard work...