Seeking Reload Data on using Win 296 in 223Rem

[The Norseman]

Is there any data or evidence about using
Winchester 296 powder for reloading the
223 Remington case, either in rifles or
single shot pistols?

I have been though my old and new
reloading books, and researching on
the internet. I have not found anything.

Thank you in advance for your reply.

 

[WAYNO]

I've used 296 for many years, only in magnum revolver cartridges. It's hard to ignite consistently, so identical replication of loading procedures is necessary. Light loads or inconsistent loads cause inconsistent results. In spite of always using a heavy bullet pull and always loading per the book, I've found 296 to burn incompletely. So, depending on the primer and bullet pull, more or less of the powder is actually burned, causing big swings in performance. And a 55 grain bullet does not lend itself to a heavy bullet pull.

Warnings are issued that it should not be used out of its intended uses, so although I've never tried, outside straight wall revolver cartridges, I don't know the worst possible results of using such powder in the .223 .

This is not a powder I would experiment with outside of published load data.






..

 

[Laserbait]

While 296 is considered a good slow powder for magnum pistol rounds, it's much too fast for most bottleneck rifle cartridges. You'll need something that burns slower like Win 748, H335, Varget, etc.

On the other side of the slow scale you have powders like H1000, US869 and Retumbo are meant for the big overbore magnum rifle cartridges, and can't be used in the 223 Rem either.

 

[The Norseman]

Thank you for the replies. I did find a small blurb
about using Win 296 in 223 Rem.

24 Hour Campfire, Under Varmint Rifle comments
about reloading Win 296. After reading the thead
I thought it might be a good option for just
plinking and not wasting my good powders.

Currently I'm using IMR 4198 in my 223s. It has
always proved very accurate in my AR15 223
and 1977 Rem 788 222Rem rifles.

Anyway, I'll keep a lookout for more info then
decide if Win 296 is a good option.

 

[the_leper_colony]

Thank you for the replies. I did find a small blurb
about using Win 296 in 223 Rem.

24 Hour Campfire, Under Varmint Rifle comments
about reloading Win 296. After reading the thead
I thought it might be a good option for just
plinking and not wasting my good powders...

There is indeed some info out there, regarding the use of 'fast' powders for plinking loads in various rifle cases. IIRC, I saw some data at the Hodgdon web site for using Titegroup to load .223 @ ~1000 fps. And I think I've seen multiple references to using Red Dot for similar applications, in larger cases like .30-06 and .303 British.

As always FWIW, YMMV, IMHO, etc.

 

[The Norseman]

Good to know. Thanks. The reason the thread
on reloading the 223 Rem with Win 296 powder
caught my eye is because I have two pounds I
will not use in my revolvers. Using it in the 223
would be good option.

 

[Laserbait]

Hodgdon has a whole section for Subsonic rifle loads. You might find some additional inspiration there.

https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/?t=1

 

[GasGuzzler]

Never heard of it but I use Unique (pistol powder) for cast bullet .30-30 WIN at slower speeds.