223

[PCP_ECOM]

Anybody want to share a load and bullet their having great success with for 223,guns a 1in9 twist,thanks

[lyallpeder]

Cheap plinker, canpar 55gr fmj with BL-C2, CCI small rifle primers and federal brass
Not as cheap and a little more accurate, 55gr v-max with BL-C2 and CCI small rifle primers and federal brass.

I use both in 1:9 rifles

[Dick284]

Bulk 55 gr BTHP’s and CFE 223, CCI 450 primers

[prarie_boy1]

60grain vmax and benchmark powder

[CNP]

69gr SMK HPBT, CCI 400, CFE223/Varget/H4895 great success with all of these powders

[Big Lou]

40gr Berger, Hornady Brass, 27.2gr Benchmark, CCI BR4
40gr Sierra Blitzking, Hornady Brass, 27.0gr Benchmark, 205M

The Berger load kind of falls off hard once you’re out passed 250 due to bullet design. The Sierra does better out beyond that.

[Lerrooy]

69 gr Sierra Tipped Match King
26.1 gr of Varget
Federal Small Rifle Match Primer
Lapua Brass
3125 fps
Under an inch at 200 with a 5 shot group

[Lefty-Canuck]

Anyone try light bullets in a fast twist? Like 45gr in a 1:7 with any luck?

LC

[Attilathecanuk]

62 gr hornady sp
H4895
CCI primer
This is the best combo for my el-cheapo Axis and does well in the AR-15 too! tried 45gr varmit grenades but the results were disappointing

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Lerrooy

69 gr Sierra Tipped Match King
26.1 gr of Varget
Federal Small Rifle Match Primer
Lapua Brass
3125 fps
Under an inch at 200 with a 5 shot group

I can run this load with accuracy right out to 1K in my Palma rifle if I have a good day doping the wind.
Takes a bit to load it though, it's a compressed charge at my bullet depth.
Cat

[FishOutOfWater]

I think these projectiles are discontinued, but I still have 100 left and know where a few boxes are...

And my barrel is a 22" / 1:9.25" twist. But this load is sub-MOA in my rifle.

Hornady 68gr BTHP Match
24.5 grains Varget
CCI 450 primer
Hornady brass @ 1.750"
2.310" COAL w/0.020" jump
~ 2950 FPS

[Quest206]

55 gr. Hornady SP bulk bullets
25gr. Varget
Win. small rifle primer

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Anyone try light bullets in a fast twist? Like 45gr in a 1:7 with any luck?

LC

I did run some 40gr bullets through a 1 in 8" twist barrel, and they shot well. That rifle really liked the 50gr v-max.

As far as a 1 in 9" twist, the 69gr Matchking worked will in a couple of my rifles, as well as in my 1 in 8" twist rifles. Powders included imr 4064, CFE-223, and n-133.

[farmer23]

Lapua brass, Federal primers and CFE223 or Varget with 40or 50 gr V-Max shoot very well in my Weatherby Vanguard 1-8 twist.

The 40 gr Sierra Blitzkings also shoot very well with the above setup.

[DeadEyeGardner]

I’ve had really good results with hornady vmax 55 grain and 60 grain in my savage model 10 predator hunter 223. The 55 grainers I’m currently shooting at 3000 FPS and they do pretty darn good. I’m using cci br4 primers and IMR4895.

In my experience of hand loading, many variations of components can be made to shoot really well from a rifle. Every individual rifle will be different and might prefer certain components over others. I simply choose components with good reviews and build up a load that my rifle likes. There are multiple accuracy nodes that can be determined and then fine tuned, with many variation of components.

Hornady makes great projectiles at reasonable prices. If you want sub MOA ammunition, your quality of brass and brass prep is every bit as important if not more important than your load. Primer pockets... Neck tension... concentricity... fire forming... the list seriously never ends lol.

And lastly... if you don’t have a chronograph, you’re going to be chasing your tail. Even a Caldwell chrono will give you a decent idea whats going on with your loads. Velocity is the end result that needs to be consistent if you want to find a “good load” for “your” rifle.

[Kezh1729]

69 gr SMK with 24.5gr Varget CCI BR-4 or CCI450 I can’t see the difference with these two primers.

[NicoyaHunt]

55 gr. Hornady Match bullets
25gr. Varget
CCI primer
good load work OK for me

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by DeadEyeGardner

And lastly... if you don’t have a chronograph, you’re going to be chasing your tail. Even a Caldwell chrono will give you a decent idea whats going on with your loads. Velocity is the end result that needs to be consistent if you want to find a “good load” for “your” rifle.

I don't use my chronograph near as much as I do use groups at 100,200,300 , and 500 meters to figure out my drops .
I can then go to a set of trajectory tables and find where I need to be on the longer range targets from 600 to 1,000.
I find it easier on god long run when God rangd is busy in the winter and the chronograph are messing up.
Chronographx however do take a lot of guesswork out of it if a person is interested in the actual velocity they are generating out of a cartridge especially if they do not have the advantage of multiple distance to shoot at targets .
Cat

[goose slayer10]

50 grain hornady sp shoot okay, I think 55 grains would as well, also decent on fur. The 52 grain sierrra bthp with varget just under 27 grains, or h3895 is a dang good load and a very accurate bullet.

[PCP_ECOM]

Thank to everyone's input I appreciate it very much,got a lot of idea's,now to source bullets and powder and start building a load process,cheers Peter

[tkhiebs]

I use 60gr Nosler varmint over 24.8gr of h322

[6MT]

Originally Posted by PCP_ECOM

Anybody want to share a load and bullet their having great success with for 223,guns a 1in9 twist,thanks

My CZ-527 varmint loves this recipe
- 69gr SMK's (1:9" twist 25")
- Lapua brass, CCI BR4 primers, 26.6gr BLC-2
- COAL ogive measurement: 1.885" (.010" jump)
- 2974fps ES=7 SD=2.6



And this load magazine feeds with no issues.

[DeadEyeGardner]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I don't use my chronograph near as much as I do use groups at 100,200,300 , and 500 meters to figure out my drops .
I can then go to a set of trajectory tables and find where I need to be on the longer range targets from 600 to 1,000.
I find it easier on god long run when God rangd is busy in the winter and the chronograph are messing up.
Chronographx however do take a lot of guesswork out of it if a person is interested in the actual velocity they are generating out of a cartridge especially if they do not have the advantage of multiple distance to shoot at targets .
Cat

Shot groups are of course good results, but they also are effected by shooter form, or lack there of.

I use a chrono to shoot several rounds of the same load to see what the velocities are. A great load will give consistent velocities (under 10 FPS es), meaning the load is generating consistent pressures. Can’t measure pressure but can measure velocity. Your rifle will really like Certain pressure ranges, or velocities. Pressure=oscillation=happy rifle OR unhappy rifle. I shoot my hand loads off a bench, over a chrono and watch how they group at 100m. My target is set up so I’m shooting groups along the same horizontal line, so I can easily compare vertical dispersions and groups side by side.

Hope this isn’t derailing this thread, I was just hoping to shed light on the fact that one persons accurate load might shoot 2” groups at 100m in the next guys rifle.

[catnthehat]

i don't think anybody was saying one load will fit all rifles or work well in then DeadeyeGardener, notice that many of the loads posted ( mine included ) do not give the Cartridge length . I doubt very much that most of my loads in any of my rifles will fit a magazine rifle.
As far as my capability goes when working up loads I am very confident in my ability to call shots and plot group centres .
how the trajectory changes on three or four distances gives me an accurate chart of how consistent the load is .
Cat

[FishOutOfWater]

I notice a lot of 69gr (and my 68gr) are doing well coming out of the tube at around 3000 FPS.

Some similar trends with the 55gr pills, but unknown speeds...

[DeadEyeGardner]

Originally Posted by FishOutOfWater

I notice a lot of 69gr (and my 68gr) are doing well coming out of the tube at around 3000 FPS.

Some similar trends with the 55gr pills, but unknown speeds...

55gr vmax at 3000 FPS shooting lights out for me

[Redneck 7]

I had the best success when I reloaded for .223, I shot 5 loads of 3 and the biggest group was 3/4” and smallest just under a 1/2”. I was very impressed and I used Winchester brass, cci small primers (can’t remember the number) and varget powder. Spec’d over all length and hornady bullets, can’t remember what bullet either. Not at home with my book.

[Groundhogger]

When I owned/shot .223

55gr. V-Max Bullet, 25.5gr. Varget
53gr. V-Max Bullet, 25.7gr Varget

[marxman]

55 grain campro bullets 19 gr. H4198 or 19 gr. N120 for 2660 fps nice plinker

[brewster29]

FWIW
My T3 lite 8" twist shoots 3 shots into .2-.3 groups with Hornady SX 55 gr, 25.0 H322, CCI 400 primers, R-P cases, 2.260" COAL ( longest I can get into the magazine). Best group was .188". Your mileage may vary.