I've been playing around with loads for .223 77 gn SMK with varget . My AR is a 1/7 twist. Went to the range this past weekend with 22 gn of varget and rounds weren't grouping well. I've tried 24 gn and it seemed tighter but primers looked a little flat.

What powder combo are you guys using for SMK 77 gn?  Is there a powder that I should try instead of varget?  What's your accurate load?

Did you work up your load?  Or did you jump from 22-24gr?  What type of brass and brass prep do you do?

yeah, work up a load, go like 0.5 or even 0.25 increments with at least 5-shot group strings...then find the most accurate load (without any over pressure) for your rifle, then chrono, if possible after.

The 77gr SMK do not work well for me in either my AR nor my Remington 700. When I say they don't work well I mean I am getting more than 1 MOA at 100yds. I also tried the 77gr Nosler and the 75gr Hornadys. I got similar results as the 77gr SMK all using Varget. I am getting much better results with 69gr SMK's at 100yds. Typically, I am getting 0.5 MOA for the Remington 700 with 24" barrel and 0.75 MOA for my AR with 14.5" (16" with flash hider) both at 100yds using the 69gr SMK and Varget. I get similar results with Berger 70gr Match and Varget.

@Inspector, thanks for sharing the information regarding your test data. What is the twist ratio of the barrel on the AR? I've been reading that the heavier bullets should do better in the 1:7 twist barrel (which I have).

Good to see you posting again. I have noticed you have been quiet on the forum.

Aloha, K

@Inspector, thanks for sharing the information regarding your test data. What is the twist ratio of the barrel on the AR? I've been reading that the heavier bullets should do better in the 1:7 twist barrel (which I have).

Good to see you posting again. I have noticed you have been quiet on the forum.

Aloha, K

Aloha K,

The twist rate for my AR is 1 in 7. The heavier bullets including the VLD's stabilize just fine in my AR. And to get just over 1 MOA for a short barrel at 100 yds is more than acceptable. It may be that I have a short barrel so the lighter bullet might stabilize sooner and the heavier bullets might not be completely stabilized by the time they exit? Not really sure why? All I know is that I have done a lot of testing and found bullet weight, design and brand have a lot to do with my accuracy results. For instance, the same AR does almost as well with Sierra 65gr Game King bullets. At a much lower price point than the 69gr SMK.

Thanks for the kind words. I was working nights for over the last year and I became exhausted and sleep deprived. It took a huge toll on my body and I have not doing well since going back to the day shift.

Check your powder drop accuracy.  Most powder drops will be as much as 1/2 grain off with varget.  Could throw your accuracy off by an inch.

I used to sit a 77gr SMK over 23 grains of Varget.  Worked okay for me.

Anyone use Varget for 223 with Dillon. Does it meter well. I need to change powder no one selling H335.

Anyone use Varget for 223 with Dillon. Does it meter well. I need to change powder no one selling H335.

If you don't have any luck with your answer you might want to try Winchester 748 and/or BL-C(2). Both of which are ball type powders and meter well. I have had good luck with both. However, I am still in the testing phase with the BL-C(2) so my results are not complete yet. For .223 both powders work quite well. I have had decent results with CFE 223 as well. Not stellar but good results. As with everything in life YMMV.

24.0 RL 15, Rem 7 1/2 primers.
Varget doesn't meter welll through my Dillon. I use the Lee PPM for Varget.