223 reloading?

[Savhmr]

60grn V Max are excellent out of my 1..9 twist remmy, also 60grn Nosler.

With a 24" 1..12 you won't get much beyond 600yds, so 60grn is more than enough.

If you plan to shoot up to 400yds then anything will do.

 

Best powders are H322, Benchmark, N130, N133 up to 60grn, or N140 for heavier bullets/target work.

 

Primer wise there isn't that much in it.

Recently had to buy another 1000 and ended up with Fed Gold BR, which work as well as Winchester or CCI in my loads.

 

As for cases, I use most makes (all bought as factory rounds or once fired), and they all work fine.

I had to ream out the primer pockets on the Federal as they are crimped, and eventually turned the necks as they are both thick and uneven. Although thicker cases are a good idea if you ever plan to run them a bit hot.

 

I found the 'One Book One Cal' to be a good help. Start at mid range and work to what suits your rifle.

 

Thanks Cooter. I likely wont be shooting (target) past 600 with the 223. Most vermin control will be done sub 250yds. My apologies to the OP...didn't mean to hijack your thread!

[turbo33]

 

Thanks Cooter. I likely wont be shooting (target) past 600 with the 223. Most vermin control will be done sub 250yds. My apologies to the OP...didn't mean to hijack your thread!

 

No probs, some great info coming out here and good to see peoples personal experiences on loads, good and bad!

Thanks for all the replies.

T33

[robbiep]

Same offer applies for yourself as well, turbo33. No point in buying a box of bullets if you load 10 and find they're useless in your rifle.

[Albert 888]

Do any of the PW members reload .223? I already reload for shotgun, but its a new calibre for me and am looking at the options for reloading without breaking the bank! Does any one use the Lee Loader? Seems a good entry point? Any advice would be very welcome including components and case trimming, sizing etc.

 

Many thanks

T33

I load for 223 target and fox. Was using bl-c2 powder 52g Amax and cci br primers and all full length sized and seated to sammi spec using the one calibre one book manual for 223,now I have run out of supplies, just on with testing N133,federal gold match primers and 55g blitzking, also n140 60gvmax and cci br primers. Google Dan newbury ocw testing for load development. Never used a lee loadall but they seem to be a very good idea expecially for loading on the spot. Apparently someone who loaded with one for comp use, was very good.

I have never trimed any of my brass and never needed too as I full length size,and all are still in spec.

Edited November 8, 2015 by Albert 888

[maxwell]

I have found that BLC2 was better suited to 20cal due to higher ES in 223, I load 55gr SBK at 25gr Vit N133 over rem 7.5 primers running at 3300f/s with very good ES, I load 80 gr Amax and 77gr TMK at 25.1 gr VIt N140 over Rem 7.5 primers also with good ES

ALL loads were worked up safely and seating done only after OCW for POI stability, there is some good advice on this thread and I will add, do your research (don't just take a load from someone else's gun, the loads above are reference only) and document all results as you go

I think you will struggle to run any heavy bullets in 1:12 as 1:8 min or 1:7 for the 75's and above,

 

Cheers Maxwell

[Underdog]

Bl-c2 needs mag primers for best ignition.

[Vince Green]

Good target ammo (GGG) is 45p a round. Privi is 50p a round (more for match) and Barnul is 35p a round which is why none of the .223/5/56 target shooters I know who shoot at Bisley reload. American eagle is popular too but I don't know who sells that.

Edited November 9, 2015 by Vince Green

[Fisheruk]

52 pence per round for Privi 55gr sp.

For foxing it does the job.

[deershooter]

posted in error

Edited November 9, 2015 by deershooter

[robbiep]

I will sell any one heads at 52p each that's £52 per 100 I was under the impression pigeon watch was here to help one another not RIP each other off come on lads play fair

 

Deershooter

 

I think he means that people can buy Privi at 52p pence per round, not that he's offering to sell SP bullets at 52p per.

[Underdog]

Heads?

[turbo33]

Same offer applies for yourself as well, turbo33. No point in buying a box of bullets if you load 10 and find they're useless in your rifle.

 

Thanks Robbie, that's a kind offer

52 pence per round for Privi 55gr sp.

For foxing it does the job.

 

looked at those........ Anyone else use these? at half the price of most, is this the Baikal equivalent of a rifle round What sort of range are they adequate to, bearing in mind different rifles, barrels etc?

[Albert 888]

I started with the 55g sp factory ammo,if you where to draw an inch circle they all whent in the outer part of the circle and none in the middle, a bit like shooting round the clock at 100m. Fine for fox or small deer,no good for target. I would try 1 box of ppu55g sp, 1 box of 55g vmax and one box of 60g hornady tap. And compare, they work from that. My cz 1:9" loves 55gvmax and the 60g tap. Also a tip when loading be carefull when applying sizing lube and don't forget to lube inside the case neck, I use a nylon brush with lube on it. Too much lube causes hydraulicing and dimples in your case and not enough, you get stuck brass in your die,I'm honest and have done both. Ppu brass(which I prefer) is quite tough compared to hornady which is soft and only lasts around 4 firings in my rifle. Work your own loads up safely from the books and go from there.

[Savhmr]

I've used the Privi 55gr FMJ and they were ok if not the most consistent loaded ammo about. You can only try a box and see if they suit your rifle I guess. I'm currently trying different brands and have the Hornady training rounds next on the list. I'll be buying and trying a variety of SPs for my next testing session to 200yds which will give a good enough indication of likely precision and consistency, and will also do some testing with the chrony to measure both factory and home loads. As far as range goes, I guess the answer depend on how well they'll group in your rifle, but in terms of energy, a 55gr ought to be good well out past any range you'd likely ever want to shoot a fox at. A few guys I know who shoot comp with them say they're good for respectable groups with home loads to 400 or 500yds but beyond that, the heavier (75 to 80gr) bullets retain more velocity/energy and are less affected by wind drift. For fox, I'd expect with say a 4 inch kill zone (?) shooting off sticks realistically I wouldn't want to shoot past 250yds personally as I don't reckon I could accurately place a shot well enough past that range.

[Underdog]

Anyone tried S&B?

[remmy1100]

I use the lee 50 th aniversary set came with press powder,scales ect but youll still need to buy reloading dies, I reload for 223 using reloader 7 for 40/50 grain bt,s and reloader 15 for hornday 55 grain bts both group excellent all depends what you can get local to you .you dont want to develop a load that shoots well and struggle to get the components .

[cervusman]

I use 26gr of N335 with 50gr V-max, a great load

[johnlewis]

Any one used Vit 140 powder in a .223 if so what weight heads did you use.

[cervusman]

I have only ever used H335 in my 223, 27gr with a 50gr V-max it's a hot load but very accurate.

[Underdog]

Any one used Vit 140 powder in a .223 if so what weight heads did you use.

The same head I always had, dunno how heavy it is? :-/