I shoot a Savage Mdl 12 .223 with a 26" bull Barrel. My usual load is 27.5gr Varget pushing a 50gr V-Max. I see hardley any muzzle flash out of my gun and was wondering if a slower burner such as 4350 might help velocity in a longer barrel.The gun seems to like it the faster i can push it down. The only reason I choose 4350 is I had a bit left in a jug from the last rounds of 7mm Mag and wanted to put it to good use. Is this a good idea or not?


Thanks, Joe

4350 is too slow for your .223. Here's the data from the 1996 IMR powder guide.

Bye
Jack

Agreed - don't go there. Varget is the powder of choice for my .223.

Thanks for the input Jack. The only question I have is there is a listing for 4350 but the velocity is rather slow @ 2650fps, but the pressure doesen't seem that high. The test bbl is 24", mine is 26", does that make a difference. I really am unfamilliar with all the rules of long bbl vs. a shorter one. I sure do like the Varget though.

Varget itself is at the slowest end of the range optimum for .223. Going slower is less than optimum.

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There really doesn't seem to be a great velocity difference between a 24" bbl and a 26" bbl. - maybe something in the neighborhood of 40 to 50 fps.

Note that the powders are listed in order of burning speed, with the fastest at the top. The case just won't hold any more powder. The "C" behind the powder charge as in 26.0C means it's a compressed charge and you can't use enough 4350 and 4831 to reach a good working pressure. Looking at the top end of the chart shows that SR4759 and 4227 are too fast and you reach max pressure before the case is full. 4198 is the fastest powder that will get you top performance. IMR didn't list the very fast, for a .223, pistol/shotgun powders or the very slow 7828 here.

Muzzle flash varies between powders. Some of the ball powders flash more than the IMR stick powders, in my experience. I haven't used Varget, yet.

Bye
Jack

Use to shoot a lot of 4320 in one .223, simply becasue it gave great accuracy..and that powder is probably one step slower (with 50-55gr. bullets) that would be ideal.

Shot a good bit of 4350 in expermints with fast cast bullet loads...looking for that low pressure and more of a gradual push. Even with 50-55gr. jacketed bullets, will find it both slow and dirty (leaving a good bit of unburned powder).

Unless you've got a use for a dirty shooting reduced load, think I'd pass on 4350.

Also, let it be said that muzzle flash has absolutely NOTHING to do with how much powder burns in the barrel. Very few powders burn completely (the few that do are pistol powders) and all have varying amounts of combustible gasses in the "stuff" that leaves the muzzle. Some of those gasses can mix with oxygen and re-ignite. That's what muzzle flash is, and that's all it is. Powders meant for military/police use have flash inhibitors added to reduce that re-ignition. Pure sporting powders may not have the added ingredients. Double-base powders tend to flash more than single-base, and ball powders more than extruded.

But ALL rifle powders burn as much as they are able to within the first six inches or so of bullet travel, some more and some less. After that, the bore volume is increasing faster than the powder can generate gas, so the pressure drops - and so does the "fire."

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the input and advice. I think Ill just stick with the varget and leave the 4350 for the bigger guns in the box. Also, thanks Rocky for clearing the air for me on muzzle flash. I learn something new every time I log on. Thanks again, Joe