.223 loads ADVISE PLEASE

[rimmie]

Hi all, got my new .223 today. I'm just curious what loads you fellow .223 shooters are using ?

 

It has a 1/8 twist, and is going to be a long range varmint/some time fox gun. So I'm thinking of using 55g vmax.

 

I used to have a tikka T3, I used a load of Viht N133 and a 50g vmax. BUT that had a different twist rate and my local RFD doesn't stock Viht powder :(

 

Does anyone have a good load they can recommend, or have a reloading manual they can have a look at for me ? Cheers lads and lasses

Edited August 21, 2013 by rimmie

[roger3167]

Have. 223 Tika in 1 / 8 twist 20" barrel. Would suit a heavier gr bullet as the tighter twist stabilizers the round much better. Mine is not as accurate with the 55 gr and I have found the Hornady 68gr hpbt and 75 gr Hornady A max the most accurate through my rifle with ppu brass. 24.6 gr, Vit 140, CCI primerfor .68 gr (approx 2750 feet per second ) and 23.5 gr for A max ( 2600 fps). Shot right out to 600yd at range with no problems as the A max have good bc in some cases greater than some. 308's. Always shot at range so never used the very max but hope this helps.

[magman]

Same twist rate using sierra 55g blitzkings under 25.1 of H4895 with Winchester Small Rifle Primer

Edited August 22, 2013 by magman

[atf]

Browning tct varmint?? If so don't bother with the 55grn'ers they were terrible in mine. 69grn smk's with n140 work well. That's all I've tried so far.

[rimmie]

Thanks lads, yes atf a tct varmint . any more ? My dealer does have some reloader 15 witch is supposed to be good for .223 ?

Edited August 21, 2013 by rimmie

[Albert 888]

Have a cz 527 varmint 23.5" 1/9/ twist used 40g upto 69g homloads but the best sofar were 52g amax with 25g of hodgdon bl-c2 with cci br primers and ppu brass also work well in the 1/12" twist. 55gv max factory loads and 60g hornady tap work extreamly well also. Have a look for the complete reloaing manual for the. 223 remington well worth £8. If I knew better when buying a riffle would have gone for the 1/8" twist and used the 75g amax.

[remmy1100]

Thanks lads, yes atf a tct varmint . any more ? My dealer does have some reloader 15 witch is supposed to be good for .223 ?

I use reloader 15 but only with 55 grains bullets in my 223 mines 1 in 12 twist but its a excellent powder for heavier bullets in 223,ive got data for reloader 15 if needed Edited August 21, 2013 by remmy1100

[rimmie]

Yes please remmy

[remmy1100]

55 grain bullet 25.3 grains start never exceed 28.00 grains(3390 fps) min aol 2.215" my personal load is 25.3 grains reloader 15, cci 400 srp, hornday bt and coal of 2,250 group excellent 4 shot group at 100yds off 0.7".

60 grain bullet start 24.2 never exceed 26.5 (3240) min oal 2.250"

68 grain bullet start 23.5 never exceed 25.6 (3030) min oal 2.260"

75 grain bullet start 22.6 never exceed 24.9 (2895) min oal 2.260"

Edited August 22, 2013 by remmy1100

[varminter pb]

I like most others have already stated started off with the heavier bullets in my Tikka T3 supervarmint which is 1 in 8" twist in a 20" barrel. But thn I tried Nosler 40 grain bullets which using Viht N130 developed a flat and fast 40 grain load..... The load not only achieved a ragged hole group at 100 yards some time ago (many months), but when shooting steel plate a few weeks back had 8 shots or so touching all within 1" at 265 yards!! None high or low just a nice tidy group / crater. This was witnessed too by my friend with his .204, but I'd decided to leave my .204 at home that day.

 

Will hav a look at the loads on my box when next visiting the safe.

Edited August 22, 2013 by varminter pb

[rimmie]

Thanks remmy,varminter. I was thinking about trying the 60gn v- max for the 1/8 but still might give the 55gn a go. The big pain is my local RFD doesn't do Viht powder :(

[al4x]

bear in mind the heavier the bullet the more drop you will get with the relatively small case, only really an issue if you are lamping but personally mine was great with 55 blitzkings and pretty flat to 200 yards with 26.5 grains of varget. The heavier bullets are fine if you are playing at range but in the field I'd question the point

[cooter]

I found 60grn V Max or Nosler to be very accurate out of my 1..9 twist Remmy, both over 22.5grn of N133, running around 2800fps.

Even better over H322 or Benchmark when you can get hold of them.

 

I never tried RL15 but running it through QL it gives better results to N133 and appears to have a better pressure curve.

 

Hopefully someone with one book one cal will post the max and min loads.

[remmy1100]

reloader 15 is a excellent powder and gives excellent results I use it for 55 grain bullets and above loads and reloader 7 for lighter bullets 40-55 grain both are excellent and groups are very tight and consistant ,ive got my 40 grain speer ballistic tips on same zero as my 55 grain hornday bt's so have mag full of 40 grains for rabbits and mag of 55's for foxes .

[rimmie]

bear in mind the heavier the bullet the more drop you will get with the relatively small case, only really an issue if you are lamping but personally mine was great with 55 blitzkings and pretty flat to 200 yards with 26.5 grains of varget. The heavier bullets are fine if you are playing at range but in the field I'd question the point

Just thinking the 60's might be more stable in a 1/8 twist ? Think il stick to 55's and get some rel 15 and have a play

[varminter pb]

Just thinking the 60's might be more stable in a 1/8 twist ? Think il stick to 55's and get some rel 15 and have a play

It depends on how far your wanting to shoot.... My 1 in 8 shoots 40 grainers as accurately as it does 60's. in fact a local RFD had some 50's in stock reasonably cheap, I thought about it....... But am more than happy with the 40's and shall not be trying something afresh that wont do anymore than the 40's.

 

You may find hat the 1 in 12's won't stabilise a heavier bullet but the 1 in 8 isn't excluded from the lighter rounds.

Edited August 23, 2013 by varminter pb