"THE" 223 load thread....

[Bradley Walker]

With the oppressive summer heat I've been doing more shooting at 100 yards, and recently worked up the following load that I have had good luck with in a couple of outings. This is in my bolt gun with a 1:8 20" Krieger barrel:

52gr SMK
23.7gr H322
Rem 7-/12 primer
2.230" OAL (about .010" off the lands)
Lapua brass, FL sized with about .0015" neck tension

edit: I went up to 24.7gr of H322 in testing with no pressure signs, but had better luck in the 23.4-23.7 range. Also tried using Wolf SRM primers in the above load, but results were dramatically worse.

I can confirm this load testing. I am testing EXACTLY the same configuration except I am using LC brass.

At 24.5 and 25 I was getting massive pressure signs... I would say I need to be between 22.5 and 23.5. I am going to take everything apart and try working up to your range of 23.7. I am sure the thickness in the brass will need to be addressed. I am not sure were Lapua compares to LC in case capacity.

I am going to continue testing using my Savage bolt gun with the 20" Benchmark barrel off the bipod. Then try it in the AR-15.

H322 is proving to be much faster than V133/R10x/AA2015 in my loads. By as much as 2 grains...

 

[XTR]

With the oppressive summer heat I've been doing more shooting at 100 yards, and recently worked up the following load that I have had good luck with in a couple of outings. This is in my bolt gun with a 1:8 20" Krieger barrel:

52gr SMK
23.7gr H322
Rem 7-/12 primer
2.230" OAL (about .010" off the lands)
Lapua brass, FL sized with about .0015" neck tension

edit: I went up to 24.7gr of H322 in testing with no pressure signs, but had better luck in the 23.4-23.7 range. Also tried using Wolf SRM primers in the above load, but results were dramatically worse.

I can confirm this load testing. I am testing EXACTLY the same configuration except I am using LC brass.

At 24.5 and 25 I was getting massive pressure signs... I would say I need to be between 22.5 and 23.5. I am going to take everything apart and try working up to your range of 23.7. I am sure the thickness in the brass will need to be addressed. I am not sure were Lapua compares to LC in case capacity.

I am going to continue testing using my Savage bolt gun with the 20" Benchmark barrel off the bipod. Then try it in the AR-15.

H322 is proving to be much faster than V133/R10x/AA2015 in my loads. By as much as 2 grains...

When you say that H322 is faster I assume you're referring to MV in relation to charge weight?.

I'm kicking the idea of a small granule powder like H322 for my service rifle loads. I'd really like to find something that will meter. I haven't had the chance to try it yet, and looking at the available powders lately I may wait a while. What's the consensus on H322 and 77s?

 

[broncman]

What are the new CFE powder and ARComp? A buddy of mine swears by the CFE in his 223. Not sure what bullet he is shooting.

 

[infantrytrophy]

What are the new CFE powder and ARComp? A buddy of mine swears by the CFE in his 223. Not sure what bullet he is shooting.

I have used AR-Comp for several highpower matches in my 223 match rifle. Excellent results with Sierra 60 grain varmint bullets - 23.2 grains AR-Comp, LC or Win brass, CCI BR4 or Federal 205M primers. 23.2 grains of AR-Comp is the same charge recommended by Alliant for 69-grains bullets, so that charge with 60-grain bullets is probably a relatively light charge. Very accurate, though.

AR-Comp is advertised as a modified RL-15 that is supposed to be non-temperature sensitive. The grain size is small, and it meters through a Hornady powder measure quite well.

It also works well in a 6HAGAR rifle.

Randy

 

[Bradley Walker]

With the oppressive summer heat I've been doing more shooting at 100 yards, and recently worked up the following load that I have had good luck with in a couple of outings. This is in my bolt gun with a 1:8 20" Krieger barrel:

52gr SMK
23.7gr H322
Rem 7-/12 primer
2.230" OAL (about .010" off the lands)
Lapua brass, FL sized with about .0015" neck tension

edit: I went up to 24.7gr of H322 in testing with no pressure signs, but had better luck in the 23.4-23.7 range. Also tried using Wolf SRM primers in the above load, but results were dramatically worse.

I can confirm this load testing. I am testing EXACTLY the same configuration except I am using LC brass.

At 24.5 and 25 I was getting massive pressure signs... I would say I need to be between 22.5 and 23.5. I am going to take everything apart and try working up to your range of 23.7. I am sure the thickness in the brass will need to be addressed. I am not sure were Lapua compares to LC in case capacity.

I am going to continue testing using my Savage bolt gun with the 20" Benchmark barrel off the bipod. Then try it in the AR-15.

H322 is proving to be much faster than V133/R10x/AA2015 in my loads. By as much as 2 grains...

When you say that H322 is faster I assume you're referring to MV in relation to charge weight?.

I'm kicking the idea of a small granule powder like H322 for my service rifle loads. I'd really like to find something that will meter. I haven't had the chance to try it yet, and looking at the available powders lately I may wait a while. What's the consensus on H322 and 77s?

IMR 8208 has very small granules like H322. So does R10x and AA2015BR.

Frankly, I doubt that the little bit of variation with R15 and Varget used through a powder thrower will show up on your scoresheet. R15 is by far the most versatile of the 223 powders from 55gr to 80gr bullets... Lots of records shot with R15 loaded on a progressive....

 

[mac86951]

Ok, I'll post in this thread too. My AR 1:7 likes Varget at 23.4gr and Sierra 77gr SMK (2.2600").

My back-up loads are:

CFE223 24.3gr *** Faster burning which is great for over gassed barrels.
AR-Comp 22.1gr
N140 23.8 gr *** Extra nice!

-Mac

 

[essexboy]

My other half shoots a rem 700 with a 28" barrel, we've been load testing at 300yds on a f-class target, the best load so far is 25.6g varget 80g sierra bullet. The load is holding x ring on the vertical plain quite easily. The chamber has quite alot of free bore, no pressure issues as yet.
we are trying 900/1000yd soon, we will see how it goes.

Essexboy

 

[mac86951]

I'll throw in today JLK 77gr was far improved over SMK 77gr at same velocities. 24.2gr CFE223 for my AR worked great, but work up to it.
I'm working on a JLK 75gr VLD load, but they really really don't like being fed from a magazine.

-Mac

 

[Citysmasher]

Now my Rock barrel won't be here for another three weeks... Boooo...