Handloading for 223, 1:9" ?????

[sureshot73]

Hey guys, i was going to start loading for my 223 and need some info/knowledge for this caliber, it has a 22"HB with a 1:9" twist, i would like to use 40gr v-max or ballistic tips cause i use them in my hornet as well, but might consider 50gr if that would be a better choice, as far as powder i have IMR 4064 & 4895 that i use for a few other calibers, unless there is far superior powders for this caliber i would like to stick with this also, but i'm definately open to any sugestions, all input would be greatly appreciated!

[220swifty]

I have a savage 110 223 that I have loaded for exstensively, you might find those powders a tad slow burning to get the velocities you desire, but the 40 gr V-max should work just fine.

I use mostly Win. 748 in my 223, and occasionally hodgdon benchmark

My rifle loves the 50 gr Ballistic tip over varget as well, and gets results like this.



And likes to make bang-flops on coyotes...

[Pathfinder76]

Originally Posted by 220swifty

I have a savage 110 223 that I have loaded for exstensively, you might find those powders a tad slow burning to get the velocities you desire, but the 40 gr V-max should work just fine.

I use mostly Win. 748 in my 223, and occasionally hodgdon benchmark

My rifle loves the 50 gr Ballistic tip over varget as well, and gets results like this.



And likes to make bang-flops on coyotes...

What twist does that Savage barrel have?

[220swifty]

It's a 1-9"

I have played with 75 gr A-max and HPBT with limited success, but that 50 gr load above gives me all I need.

[catnthehat]

Some of the 1:9's do well with the 75 grainers, but many do not.
the 69 grain match King works very well however, and is designed for the 1:9.
For coyotes I use a 55 grain in the 1:9, and a boat load of varget
Cat

[honda450]

Anyone try those Calhoon bullets in a 223? Think they are 55's.

[Unregistered user]

I use the 37gr Calhoons on 26gr Varget or 13gr Bluedot for quiet loads.

[TangoKilo]

Hard to beat H335 or Varget and a 69Gr sierra in a 1 in 9"

[shooter55]

69 g BTHP match sierra with 23 grains of Benchmark - my Savage 12 LRPV has 1-9 twist. I tried out some IMR8028, but it didn't pattern as tight as the Benchmark. Same with the IMR4895.

[Jerry D]

Hard to beat H335 or Varget and a 69Gr sierra in a 1 in 9"

Exactly what I use.

40 grains though is pretty light if you ask me in the 223. H335 and 50 or 55 grain bullets is a good combo. Varget is great too. Hear a lot about benchmark as well.

[Browning Sharpsh00ter]

Hey thier sure shot, i was thinking the same thing about dropping down to a smaller bullet for gophers. But what i found with the 1:9 twist ratio is that with a smaller bullet u can actualy over spin it or worst case the bullet tears itself apart..I shoot a rem .223 VTR 1:9 twist, my goto load latley has been nosler 50gr ballistic tips ontop of 26gr of benchmark...seated to an AOL of 3.08in. I found that i get better speeds and groups with less benchmark that varget...JUST my 2 cents

[SHORTMAG]

Originally Posted by Unregistered user

I use the 37gr Calhoons on 26gr Varget or 13gr Bluedot for quiet loads.

Blue dot for 223 reloads .....cool, where'd ya get your loading info......got me some extra blue bruiser!!

[junkdude]

50 gr Barnes varmint grenades over 24.8gr of Benchmark is a sweet spot for a CZ 223 varmint 1:9 twist, they chrony around 3200fps. Similar performance from the Hornady 50gr V-max. Have some loads with 52gr HP Opal's (Alberta made, top quality) which I'm expecting to perform spectacular. I've used the 52gr Opal's in a 22 hornet (1:16) over 9.5gr of CIL 4227 with really good success also, nice gopher gun. I've got a bunch of 35gr Vmaxs loaded to test in the 223, but don't yet know where the sweet spot will be for them.

Have some x-terminator (ball powder) but not yet tried it. It should meter better than the Benchmark (stick).

Something to think about when you are selecting your powder is how you are dispensing it (dribbler onto a scale, or adjustable dispenser), how fast it burns and what the range between min and max load is for the particular powder. I chose benchmark as the gap between max and min load was something in the range of 2.5gr. The difference for Varget was only around 1.5gr (don't quote me... just going from memory). If you are dribbling onto a scale this is okay, but if you are autodispensing a 1/10 of a grain variance can give you almost a 10% velocity variance. Some guns don't care, and some people aren't that concerned. I'm a bit anal about consistent loads.

I had no success getting barnes 36 VG's to stabilize out of the horrnet they all key holed with 3ft groupings, and they were too expensive to bother trying to work up load date for the 223.

[Unregistered user]

Originally Posted by SHORTMAG

Blue dot for 223 reloads .....cool, where'd ya get your loading info......got me some extra blue bruiser!!

Right here, http://jamescalhoon.com/ go to "Informative articles" to bee or .223 revisited. Enjoy.

[SHORTMAG]

Originally Posted by Unregistered user

Right here, http://jamescalhoon.com/ go to "Informative articles" to bee or .223 revisited. Enjoy.

THANKX UN !!

[sureshot73]

finally had a chance to take my new H&R 223 to the range today, tried 3 powders, AA 2460, H322, IMR 3031 all topped with 40gr NOS BT, tried several different powder charges with each powder, the IMR 3031 w/24.5grs grouped the best at just over an inch, all powders grouped better at closer to max loads, have to work up a few more loads now to see if i can tighten the groups up a bit more, so far not to bad for an H&R.

[CR5]

Thanks for the info guys, I am also gearing up to reload for my .223. I'm going to start with Varget and IMR4320 for powders and I have some Barnes varmit grenades and some hornady 55gr v-max's to try out.
I have a new savage precision carbine with a 20" 1-9 twist barrel and an AR-180b but I think my 180 is going to be used to make once fired brass from bulk packs more than it's going to shoot the reloads unless I get a progressive press.
I usually buy .223 by 500 round batches so I already have a pail full of brass.
I have noticed that Federal brass survives the 180 alot better than the Remington brass so I'll be sticking to american eagle bulk packs as much as possible.

I'll post some results when I find a load that my rifle likes.

[lclund1946]

Originally Posted by honda450

Anyone try those Calhoon bullets in a 223? Think they are 55's.

The Calhoun 52 RBBT or Bubble Butt as he calls them really tear gophers apart. I load them for a friends CZ527 American and get 3168 fps, at 0 Celsius, using 24.5 grains of Benchmark. I use Winchester, FL sized, Brass and CCI 450 primers and seat the bullet 0.030" from the lands. This gives an OAL of 2.113", in his rifle, so they fit easily in the magazine. I have shot three into 0.3" so this combo is very accurate as well.

Calhoun has a 52 DBLHP that has a thicker jacket that he recommends for coyotes. An OAL of 2.196" left the bullet 0.030" from the lands, in this rifle, and 25.5 grains of Benchmark gives a good group that shoots compatible to the Bubble Butt. Disappointing on gophers.

[lclund1946]

Originally Posted by Browning Sharpsh00ter

Hey thier sure shot, i was thinking the same thing about dropping down to a smaller bullet for gophers. But what i found with the 1:9 twist ratio is that with a smaller bullet u can actualy over spin it or worst case the bullet tears itself apart..I shoot a rem .223 VTR 1:9 twist, my goto load latley has been nosler 50gr ballistic tips ontop of 26gr of benchmark...seated to an AOL of 3.08in. I found that i get better speeds and groups with less benchmark that varget...JUST my 2 cents

I had similar results with a CZ 527 American but I think you have typo with "AOL of 3.08" . A 2.30" OAL seats the bullet about 0.030" from the lands but doesn't fit well in the clip. Best accuracy was 25.5 grains of Benchmark and 26.5 is max. Benchmark works well at 25.5 grains with bullet seated at 2.26" OAL so they fit in the magazine.

[Dean2]

I find Benchmark a great powder with lighter bullets in the 223. Have never been able to get anywhere near as much velocity using the slower powders.

27.3 grains of Benchmark, CCI small rifle primer, in Remington weight sorted brass, with a 40 Grain Blitzking is skipping out of a 1:9 Savage 26" barrel at a Chrongraphed 3800 fps. It does amazing things to gophers well out past 400 yards. (As always, safe in my gun only, start low and work your way up slowly)