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.223 sub loads..


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Yep probably my thread. I started my loading career with the sub loads off the Hodgdons Reloading Centre as I wanted to use my .223 as a dual purpose Fox / target rifle but it was far too powerful to use at the range. I currently load the following as a target round (Always check the load with published data):-

 

3.1gr Titegroup

55gr PPU FMJ

CCI SR primer

PPU Brass

COL 2.200

 

This is giving one hole groups at 25 and 50 meters when I do my bit and has no problem with stability from my 22" 1 in 12 Howa 1500 barrel. The bullet has a loopy flight path much like a .22LR and certainly is not as easy to shoot as a HMR!! They also do loads with Trailboss and Clays on the site which I have included below.

 

I worked out that I can get around 2258 rounds out of a tub of Titegroup and it's costing me around £18 a 100 which hopefully will go down when I buy bullets and primers in bulk,

 

http://data.hodgdon....tridge_load.asp

Edited by Livefast123
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This is giving one hole groups at 25 and 50 meters when I do my bit and has no problem with stability from my 22" 1 in 12 Howa 1500 barrel. The bullet has a loopy flight path much like a .22LR and certainly is not as easy to shoot as a HMR!! They also do loads with Trailboss and Clays on the site which I have included below.

 

 

 

and this is why I wouldn't bother its not a bunny gun and using reduced loads on foxes means its not a fox gun either.

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For a long time I searched for what you're looking for. Unfortunately it doesn't really exist, at least not to perfection. The .223 isn't a bunny gun for a start. Slow it down and it's simply a .22lr with the extra bother and cost of having to home load it. As Al4x said it's then not a fox round either. None of the rimfires are up to much on fox.

 

The quiet thing is the issue. Looking for fox energy at subsonic speeds means a number of problems. Trajectory is one and bullet expansion another. You can get various rounds to give higher energy this slowly but they're heavy and one can only assume would ricochet in a big way. The .300 Whisper shoots a 220gr bullet at just below the speed of sound and gives about 400ft-lbs, then there are a number of others, the best seeming to be the .500 S&W Magnum pistol round which will launch a 700 (yes 700!) grain bullet at a similar speed giving about 1700ft-lbs. Past 100 yards all of these rounds are hopeless without a rangefinder and a target scope, and although they will certainly hit hard the bullets are too solid to expand at such low speeds.

 

I settled my search at the .22/.17 Hornet. They're not quiet but will kill a fox under 200 yards and also don't trash the bunnies. Both when home loaded cost a similar amount to your HMR to feed. I still haven't settled on which one, I've had both and am currently waiting on the new .17 Hornady Hornet rifle I'm having made. I get the feeling it will be lacking on longer foxes but for bunnies it's going to be very good. For fox the .22 will always be better as it throws more weight, but still at a similar trajectory to your HMR.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Does anyone load .223 subs?

 

Just testing the water as I'm thinking of chopping my hmr in and want a nice quiet fox capable rabbitting round.

 

I saw a thread the other month about it but don't remember seeing any load data.. Powders etc.

 

 

Does anyone load .223 subs?

 

Just testing the water as I'm thinking of chopping my hmr in and want a nice quiet fox capable rabbitting round.

 

I saw a thread the other month about it but don't remember seeing any load data.. Powders etc.

 

I was reading today about some fellows that load subsonic for 223 using 5.5gr. AA 5744, supposwdly it is very insensitive to position and has a high nitro content for sure ignitions. 5.5 was giving them right ar 1000fps I don't know what elevation they were at.

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Yep probably my thread. I started my loading career with the sub loads off the Hodgdons Reloading Centre as I wanted to use my .223 as a dual purpose Fox / target rifle but it was far too powerful to use at the range. I currently load the following as a target round (Always check the load with published data):-

 

3.1gr Titegroup

55gr PPU FMJ

CCI SR primer

PPU Brass

COL 2.200

 

This is giving one hole groups at 25 and 50 meters when I do my bit and has no problem with stability from my 22" 1 in 12 Howa 1500 barrel. The bullet has a loopy flight path much like a .22LR and certainly is not as easy to shoot as a HMR!! They also do loads with Trailboss and Clays on the site which I have included below.

 

I worked out that I can get around 2258 rounds out of a tub of Titegroup and it's costing me around £18 a 100 which hopefully will go down when I buy bullets and primers in bulk,

 

http://data.hodgdon....tridge_load.asp

do you know how fast the bullet is going pal, i once nearly did this my self at my gun club, but did,nt see the point and just used my rim fire instead, also how loud is it,,
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The load data states that the speed is 1074 Fps and I wouldn't have reason to doubt it as it sounds like a .22LR round.

 

To be honest it would be cheaper and easier for me to use the .22LR but I enjoy spending the time making the rounds and I get to use my Howa on a much more frequent basis. They work out around £16 - 18 a hundred with my fireformed brass so not too bad and I think the cases may last forever!

Edited by Livefast123
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  • 3 weeks later...

Well.. There done! 2C1815F3-A4FB-4B67-BB8C-07715626A5BE-630-000000B079A8B236.jpg

 

4g trailboss

Cci primers

Daf cases

 

Used trailboss as its safer than pistol powders.

 

Fired one this morning, still have my hands!

Although the full length resized case stuck in the chamber! :-/

Very quiet!! Even with no mod!

 

Just need to paper test them now to make sure they don't keyhole, then start working up untill it cracks!

 

Happy days!

Edited by houlsby
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Aye I know what fmj's do. Albeit iv never used/seen one knowingly. It's all a massive learning curve and I'm just at the start.

 

Won't be using them on live stuff for a long time anyway, lots of paper punching and lots of things to learn before that happens.

 

Glad I put that pic up!

 

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