223 AI-Loads I have found

I am so glad my smith talked me into a 223AI chamber over a standard 223. I have two rifles that are chambered the same.

What is CRAZy is how these things shoot fireforming. I mean I have shot some SICK groups fireforming. Both of my barrels are 1-14 twist and I shoot mostly 55-52-40 grain bullets.

Best fireforming load is the 25 grain R10/2015Br/V133 and a 52-55 grain bullet. Yes, I know powders aren't supposed to interchange but I'm telling you these are with .2 of each if that (although I have never chrony'd the load). I prefer the 2015BR because I have 8 lbs of it...

 

Of ALL the 223 55/52 grain loads I have tried other than ones mentioned above, the only other loads that will come close to those is the Varget/R15 26.5 grain fireforming load. I swear this load, although it should not work, will just hammer… It is very consistent. I have target after target of .375”,.25” and smaller groups at 100 yards from this load in my load book.

After fireforming I try to get 28 grains of Varget/R15 in the case if I can. Same story. Nice big boom…

BTW, I shoot moly on all my bullets so I might need .5 more in my loads than neked bullets.

 

When it comes to the smaller bullets my favorite 40 grain load in 223 is 26.5 grains of 2015BR/R10x/N133. Again these powders are so close that they are very nearly interchangeable (although I think N133 is maybe .5 grain slower than the other two).

I would really like to try H322 also, but I don’t varmint hunt any more (sadly) so I don’t shoot a lot of 40 grain bullets.

IF I DID VARMINT HUNT… I would be shooting 40 grain bullets in the 223AI. I am pretty sure I can get about 3850 FPS in the 223AI, as I was getting 3650 FPS in the standard .223. 3850 is the range where where the groundhogs die instantly… Too slow and they twitch.

 

My .223 AI is an 8 twist Brux on a 40X action, it also absolutely hammered while fireforming with Lapua brass, 205M primers and Varget under 52 grain Sierra MK's. I am in the midst of finding a load for 75 A-max which is what I had the rifle set up for. So far H4895 in mine is looking good but I will be trying 8208XBR and TAC tomorrow. Cool thing with the .223AI is zero recoil and really don't have to worry about cooking the barrel for a couple thousand rounds at least.

Frank

 

When I shot highpower everyone was shooting Varget/R15 with 75s and 80's. 23.5 to 24.5 was the norm.

 

The TAC powder did not perform well yesterday in my rifle. Going to go with the Varget next go round. Thanks for the tip.

Frank

 

I think you will find Varget works very well.

Let me know if you find anything with the 8208.

 

Thats the 2 powders I am going to try this coming up weekend. N140 and TAC were not good, H4895 and IMR 4895 were decent but I am looking for groups in the ones for 1,2 and 300 yard GH shoots. Will keep you posted on my findings.

Frank

 

The cartridge will do much better than that. Actually both the std. 223 and AI will do quite a bit better than that. The AI with 50's will be doing 3750-3825 depending on powder and bullet. I don't shoot 40's much but in 2 std. 223's the accuracy load with 40's is 3895 and 4000....20" and 26" barrels. In the 223AI, another 2.5gr powder and best accuracy with 40's is 4100 and 4200 fps. Loads are all with AA2015, IMI brasss, 7-1/2 primer.

 

Bradley, i shot 8208 XBR today in my .223AI starting at 23.7 and ended up at 24.7 shooting an OCW test in .2 grain increments. This is the 5th powder i tried in it and its a winner. 24.5 grains was the clear winner with 24.3 and 24.7 opening up group sizes slightly. Stuff meters great and I am using 8208 in my .308 as well with very good results. I did not chrony the load but will next time out and see if load holds up shooting 5 shot groups. This is with 75 A-Max @ .010 off the lands and twice fired Lapua brass. Will anneal and FL size next go around.

Frank

 

That's awesome.