4064 for 223

So I currently use varget to load for my 308 but am switching to IMR4064 due to local availability. I have read that you can use 4064 for the 223 as well. Anyone use IMR4064 for an AR?

I use IMR 4064 in my AR-15 and Bolt action 308.

AR: Sig 516 w/ 4-12x Vortex Diamondback

Bullet: Hornady 53 V-Max @ 2.240"
Powder: IMR 4064 - 25.0-25.5 Grains (Compressed)
Brass: Mixed (Literally use everything)
Primer: CCI 400
Velocity 16" barrel = 2,850 FPS
----

Bullet: Hornady 55 Soft Point @ 2.200"
Powder, Brass, Primer: Same as above.
Velocity: 2,815 FPS

Results: Under 1/2 MOA at 220 yards. Both have done 3/4" and 1" at 220 yards.

Currently working on Hornady 75 BTHP @ 2.250" with IMR 4064.
23.0 grains = 2,450 FPS with all the same materials as above. And it's already Sub MOA.
 
AR's go through ammo to fast to use a powder like 4064 that meters so poorly. You'll end up trickling and weighing every round which is a lot of work and time for the quantity of ammo an AR will go through. 4064 is a great "all round" powder to have on hand and I do use it in certain rifles.

I think you would be better served with a powder that is known for metering well out of a powder thrower.

I have had great luck with H322. I don't even weigh powder charges anymore because it meters so well.

Check out my results on the 2nd post down on this page: http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f111/moa-challenge-157578/index6.html

8 shots in one tiny .25 inch hole. I have reproduced this a few times now. My rifle is just a stock cheap Del-Ton Lite. Nothing special.

I reproduced the results once with a 20 shot group. It was still a 1 hole group, but did measure larger than the .25 inch 8 shot group. Only time in my life I've shot 20 shots through 1 hole. And I did it with a $450 semi auto AR and a $100 used scope. Half of me is super pumped that my AR can shoot that great. The other have of me is ****ed because I haven't done that with any of my bolt guns that I have way more money and time into.
 
I use IMR 4064 in my AR-15 and Bolt action 308.

AR: Sig 516 w/ 4-12x Vortex Diamondback

Bullet: Hornady 53 V-Max @ 2.240"
Powder: IMR 4064 - 25.0-25.5 Grains (Compressed)
Brass: Mixed (Literally use everything)
Primer: CCI 400
Velocity 16" barrel = 2,850 FPS
----

Bullet: Hornady 55 Soft Point @ 2.200"
Powder, Brass, Primer: Same as above.
Velocity: 2,815 FPS

Results: Under 1/2 MOA at 220 yards. Both have done 3/4" and 1" at 220 yards.

Currently working on Hornady 75 BTHP @ 2.250" with IMR 4064.
23.0 grains = 2,450 FPS with all the same materials as above. And it's already Sub MOA.

Yea I'm going to be using the same 75gr bthps. Thats why im trying to find out. since I am limited to powders I can get being able to use 4064 in my 308's and 223 would be great.
 
Found another shop that gives me the option of Ramshot Tac, cfe223 and IMR 8208. One of these a better option for 308&223 then 4064?
 
Tac is decent stuff, but I haven't used the others enough to have an opinion... My brother was playing with 8208 a good bit in a bolt 223 and had luck-- the 1/4 moa type, but I'm not sure he ever ran much through his AR...
 
Found another shop that gives me the option of Ramshot Tac, cfe223 and IMR 8208. One of these a better option for 308&223 then 4064?

I have had excellent results with both CFE 223 and IMR 8208 XBR with bullets ranging from 53 to 75 grains. I have found 8208 to be easier to tune for low ES and SD numbers, while CFE 223 tends to give a bit more velocity. I strongly recommend either powder for use in .223/5.56mm.
 
IMR4064 is my go-to load for 55gr bullets in my AR. I've found it to be the most accurate of Varget, RL-15, CFE223, IMR4895, H4895 and IMR8208 XBR. All my AR's have 1 in 7" twist, I use the load for hunting; 55 gr Sierra Blitzking.
 
I have had excellent results with both CFE 223 and IMR 8208 XBR with bullets ranging from 53 to 75 grains. I have found 8208 to be easier to tune for low ES and SD numbers, while CFE 223 tends to give a bit more velocity. I strongly recommend either powder for use in .223/5.56mm.

Any chance I can get some load data from you for the 75gr? I am starting to collect data for using the 8208xbr so I can do some load development when I can get some components. Always like to know what other people see for comparison ONLY.
 
Any chance I can get some load data from you for the 75gr? I am starting to collect data for using the 8208xbr so I can do some load development when I can get some components. Always like to know what other people see for comparison ONLY.

I have developed data for both the Hornady BTHP and the AMAX in my 5.56 chambered MVP (with 24" barrel). The BTHP load feeds and functions fine in either my MVP or AR, though I plan to re-tune it for my AR's 16" barrel.


During the load development process, I discovered that my MVP has a much longer chamber throat than my AR, though both are chambered for 5.56 NATO. I found that the AMAX, loaded to a COAL of 2.455" for my MVP would not chamber in my AR. After the fact, I realized the Hornady 9th Edition manual recommends a COAL of 2.390" in an AR. So, my AMAX data probably won't be of much use to you, but I will include it anyway.



All of the loads I have developed, so far, have been tuned for a specific velocity range from the 24" barrel of my MVP, so they may not perform as well from a different length barrel. If you have a chrono, knowing the velocity range you are after may be more useful to you than powder charge information. If you can tell me your barrel length and the brand of brass you plan to use, I might be able to help you with that.

I used LC brass and CCI 450 Small Rifle Magnum primers for all of my load development.

5.56 NATO
COAL 2.250"
Hornady 75 BTHP
CFE 223 @ 25.8

MIN 2901
MAX 2937
AVG 2919
SD 13
ES 36


5.56 NATO
COAL 2.455"
Hornady 75 AMAX
CFE 223 @ 26.3

MIN 2944
MAX 2962
AVG 2954
SD 9
ES 18


My loads developed with IMR 8208 XBR are about 1.5 grains above max in the Hornady 9th Edition manual. This data, especially, should ONLY be used for comparison purposes.

5.56 NATO
COAL 2.250"
Hornady BTHP
IMR 8208 XBR @ 24.2

MIN 2852
MAX 2875
AVG 2857
SD 9
ES 23


5.56 NATO
COAL 2.455"
Hornady 75 AMAX
IMR 8208 XBR @ 24.3

MIN 2826
MAX 2847
AVG 2836
SD 9
ES 21
 
I have an 18" 1:7 twist WOA SPR barrel. Right now the only brass i have is American Eagle 5.56. Beyond that I'll probably get a bunch of LC to load.

No worries about the 8208 data. I always do a full load work up when developing loads. Seeing what other people use just gives mean idea of areas to watch during development.
 
I have an 18" 1:7 twist WOA SPR barrel. Right now the only brass i have is American Eagle 5.56. Beyond that I'll probably get a bunch of LC to load.

No worries about the 8208 data. I always do a full load work up when developing loads. Seeing what other people use just gives mean idea of areas to watch during development.

I asked for the brand of brass as a roundabout way of determining the internal capacity of the brass you intend to use. There is a chart in the .223 Cartridge Guide on accurateshooter.com that I have found to be pretty close:

223 Rem + 223 AI Cartridge Guide within AccurateShooter.com

From an 18" barrel, using Federal brass (American Eagle), your accuracy nodes should appear in the following velocity ranges:

CFE 223

75 BTHP: 2735-2820
75 AMAX (2.390 OAL): 2745-2825


8208 XBR

75 BTHP: 2700-2780
75 AMAX (2.390 OAL): 2705-2790


I try to find a load near the center of the velocity range that keeps the MIN and MAX inside that same range. Often, a person can see the ES and SD numbers begin to tighten when an accuracy node is reached.
 
I appreciate the info. I do have a question for you. How did you go about getting into using magnum primers? and how does it effect your loads?
 
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