Load development

[Douglas Kiser]

Hello fellas, Looking for load for my T-3 ,.223 ,1-8 twist, bull barrel. 2,3, and600 yd. Want to use 69 gr. Lapua to help buck the wind. Thanks for the help

 

[Mozella]

Looks like you've got a lot of testing ahead of you. Let us know how it works out and be sure to tell us which powder you found works the best for your gun. I will say this: I've tested quite a bit of Lapua 69gr Scenar bullets in my 1:8 twist gun but I have yet to make them shoot as well as the less expensive Sierra Match King 69gr. I've also had very good results with Berger VLD 70gr bullets.

 

[Hosted]

I've shot quite a few Hornady 68 bthp and Sierra 69's out of my Savage to 500 yards. I don't have any loads in front of me but check the manuals and watch for signs. I use mainly Reloader 15 or Varget with them. Hodgon lists Varget 24 to 26 grains on their site for these bullets but I don't believe I ever went that high. I'd start 24.5 and work to 25.5 with either of these powders and see how it goes. I've started using the 70vld now and really like them but am getting annoyed that they aren't in stock so I may switch to something else for a while.

 

[Douglas Kiser]

Looks like you've got a lot of testing ahead of you. Let us know how it works out and be sure to tell us which powder you found works the best for your gun. I will say this: I've tested quite a bit of Lapua 69gr Scenar bullets in my 1:8 twist gun but I have yet to make them shoot as well as the less expensive Sierra Match King 69gr. I've also had very good results with Berger VLD 70gr bullets.

Thanks M!

 

[Douglas Kiser]

I've shot quite a few Hornady 68 bthp and Sierra 69's out of my Savage to 500 yards. I don't have any loads in front of me but check the manuals and watch for signs. I use mainly Reloader 15 or Varget with them. Hodgon lists Varget 24 to 26 grains on their site for these bullets but I don't believe I ever went that high. I'd start 24.5 and work to 25.5 with either of these powders and see how it goes. I've started using the 70vld now and really like them but am getting annoyed that they aren't in stock so I may switch to something else for a while.

Thanks H !

 

[Catfish]

If your looking for bucking the wind you might want to try the 77 and 80 gr Sierra Bullets and the 77 gr. Hornady HP match bullets, All should shoot well with an 8 twist. Go for loads with max. velocity and loads with slower burning powders, and pick the most accurate load.

 

[Douglas Kiser]

If your looking for bucking the wind you might want to try the 77 and 80 gr Sierra Bullets and the 77 gr. Hornady HP match bullets, All should shoot well with an 8 twist. Go for loads with max. velocity and loads with slower burning powders, and pick the most accurate load.

Thanks Catfish, I'll try them

 

[joshb]

Hi Doug: I recently got a T3 Varmint 223 in 8 twist. Been working with 55s and 69s. My powder of choice landed on H335 for the best groups. Around 22 grains shoots great with the bullet a little off the lands. My closest range only goes to 100 though, so I shoot "mild loads". My Hornady manual lists 23.2 as a max load for the 55grain bullet and 23.8 for the 68 (service rifle). My Lyman manual lists 27 grains as max for the 55 and 25.5 grains for a 69. You have to work up slowly and watch for pressure signs in your gun to look for a faster node for longer ranges. Good luck, Josh.

Plus 2 for the Sierra bullets. They can shoot pretty well in my guns.

 

[Douglas Kiser]

Hi Doug: I recently got a T3 Varmint 223 in 8 twist. Been working with 55s and 69s. My powder of choice landed on H335 for the best groups. Around 22 grains shoots great with the bullet a little off the lands. My closest range only goes to 100 though, so I shoot "mild loads". My Hornady manual lists 23.2 as a max load for the 55grain bullet and 23.8 for the 68 (service rifle). My Lyman manual lists 27 grains as max for the 55 and 25.5 grains for a 69. You have to work up slowly and watch for pressure signs in your gun to look for a faster node for longer ranges. Good luck, Josh.

Plus 2 for the Sierra bullets. They can shoot pretty well in my guns.

Thanks Josh

 

[Douglas Kiser]

Thanks M!

Thanks M!

Shooting .2 groups with 69 gr. Lapua with 21.6 gr. Vv 133 oal 2.277 Thanks M