I would like to reload 223 rounds with an accurate load, I have 3 guns that are 14 to1 and 1 gun that is 8 to 1. I know all barrels are deferent. If you have a hunting load that is accurate would you tell me. I will try it in my gun. The best I have found gives me a 3” circle at 100 yards.
.233 Rem loads for 1:8 and 1:14?
- Thread starter JoeE Hull
- Start date
Joe , i don't think you can do it this way. I think that maybe you need 2 loads one (maybe ) for the 14 twist guns and one for the 8 twist gun. But for either load you need to pick a bullet, i may be wrong but that is where i start, I haven't looked as all my 223s are 9 twist or faster, but I think 14 twist needs a 52 grain or lighter. And 8 twist would be almost all weights but not the supper heavies. If hunting is the intended use match bullets are out. unless PDs or some form of varmint hunting is what you want to do. Do some reasearch on bullets and find something that looks like it was intended for what you are doing then see if you can find any. when you get that close. pet loads will come your way. The old reloading manuals had accuracy loads and will give good info on what bullets are made to do.
farmerjohn
Gold $$ Contributor
Welcome to the site! Spect you will get some good advice..... John
Joe,
I my 4 223's with 1 in 12 twist barrels, I use 50 grain bullets (Vmax, Ballistic tip, and Midway Dogtown HP's) with Ramshot Xterminator at approx 3400fps. I have also had good luck with Benchmark and BL-C(2). All shoot less than 1 inch with occasional groups less than 1/2". This is with mixed military/commercial brass with little to no detail prep. Powder charges can be found on the Hogdon site. You will have to do a little work to find the best for your rifles, but should be pretty easy.
Also take a look at your rifles. Any stock 223 should shoot better than 3 inches. What is your trigger pull weights? Are they bedded/free floated? Barrels clean? A good load in another rifle does not guarantee it will shoot well in yours.
Moe
I my 4 223's with 1 in 12 twist barrels, I use 50 grain bullets (Vmax, Ballistic tip, and Midway Dogtown HP's) with Ramshot Xterminator at approx 3400fps. I have also had good luck with Benchmark and BL-C(2). All shoot less than 1 inch with occasional groups less than 1/2". This is with mixed military/commercial brass with little to no detail prep. Powder charges can be found on the Hogdon site. You will have to do a little work to find the best for your rifles, but should be pretty easy.
Also take a look at your rifles. Any stock 223 should shoot better than 3 inches. What is your trigger pull weights? Are they bedded/free floated? Barrels clean? A good load in another rifle does not guarantee it will shoot well in yours.
Moe
Last edited:
For the 14 twist go with Benchmark powder and a 40gr VMAX.
For the 8 twist, it's hard to beat any bullet 55gr and above with Varget or H4895 powder.
Lapua brass and a good primer and u should be set.
For the 8 twist, it's hard to beat any bullet 55gr and above with Varget or H4895 powder.
Lapua brass and a good primer and u should be set.
In the 14 twist I shoot 40gr in the 8 twist I shoot 70 gr and 75gr. They stabilize well, but I don’t get good grupes. I was just wanting try something someone else had tried with good luck. A person can invest lots of money just trying loads one way and another. I might even spring for a new barrel if I was convinced that’s what it would take to get accurate shots.
Forum Boss
Administrator
A good place to start is our .223 Rem Cartridge guide on Accurateshooter.com .
.223 Rem Cartridge Guide
.223 Rem Cartridge Guide
Last edited:
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
I have several 223 Rem bolt rifles in various twists from 12 to 8.
For me, the powder isn't so much the issue, it's the bullet that is significant relative to accuracy.
My 12" and 9" twist rifle shoot the 50 to 55 grain bullets very well whereas the 8" twists do better with the 60 grains and heavier. The 60 Vmax is especially accurate in my 8" twist Tikka's. Actually, it the length rather than the weight that matters with those fast twists. Those 60 Vmax's flat base have a long shank and I suspect that is the reason they shoot so well in the 8" twists.
The 223 Rem responds well to a wide range of powders. I have used Benchmark, H335, H4895, IMR 4895, and Varget just to name a few and all worked very well.
For a 14" twist, I would expect the 50 grain bullets to shoot very well since the 222 Rem I had shot this bullet extremely well with a 14 twist.
For me, the powder isn't so much the issue, it's the bullet that is significant relative to accuracy.
My 12" and 9" twist rifle shoot the 50 to 55 grain bullets very well whereas the 8" twists do better with the 60 grains and heavier. The 60 Vmax is especially accurate in my 8" twist Tikka's. Actually, it the length rather than the weight that matters with those fast twists. Those 60 Vmax's flat base have a long shank and I suspect that is the reason they shoot so well in the 8" twists.
The 223 Rem responds well to a wide range of powders. I have used Benchmark, H335, H4895, IMR 4895, and Varget just to name a few and all worked very well.
For a 14" twist, I would expect the 50 grain bullets to shoot very well since the 222 Rem I had shot this bullet extremely well with a 14 twist.
DShortt
Gold $$ Contributor
Wait a minute. 4 different rifles and none of them shoot under 3"?
Something is very wrong because even a crappy factory rifle these days will shoot half that size without much work.
How are you measuring your targets? How many shots per group? And some target pics would help.
If you're shooting ARs standing upright then that would also explain a lot. What shooting style are you using?
Edit to add - How are you measuring your barrel twist rates? 1 in 14 would be pretty unusual for recent manufacturers.
Last edited:
If you have a .223 that is shooting a BEST of 3" groups, you are either fighting issues with marksmanship fundamentals or there are problems with your rifle and/or optic.
Once you have those issues sorted out, I recommend 50 or 52 grain bullets and IMR 8208 XBR in Lake City cases for your 14 twist rifles.
For your 8 twist rifle, stick with the same powder and load 75 ELD-M's as long as your chamber will permit (while still keeping enough bullet in the case neck). The 8 twist will still be able to run the 50 or 52 grain bullets, too.
ETA: I am assuming bolt action rifles. If you are shooting AR's, the powder to run is AR-COMP and the bullet recommendation for the 8 twist would change to Hornady 75 BTHP or Sierra 77 MatchKing.
The 52 grain match bullets shoot very well in my 1:12 Remington and 1:8 Tikka ~ 0.5 MOA 5-shot groups. My powder of choice is Benchmark but I have also had good success with 8208XBR and H322.
RegionRat
Gold $$ Contributor
I looked at the map and see you are in a rural part of TX with a long drive to the bigger towns.
I was going to suggest getting a mentor by asking around at a local range, but my guess is this would be difficult.
Still... If at all possible, try and seek out a mentor. You will do much better, much sooner, and with less frustration and waste if you could get with an experienced mentor who can teach you loading and shooting.
For now, I see you are brand new on here and was wondering if you have had a chance to shoot better than 3" at 100 yards of any other sort?
Can you describe the rigs you are shooting a little more? And, how you are shooting them? Bipods, bag rests, slings and elbows, offhand, etc.? Most long guns with decent ammo will do better than 3" at 100 yards, but not all of them.
This would narrow down the issues a little cause right now we don't know if it is the arrow, the Indian, or both.
I was going to suggest getting a mentor by asking around at a local range, but my guess is this would be difficult.
Still... If at all possible, try and seek out a mentor. You will do much better, much sooner, and with less frustration and waste if you could get with an experienced mentor who can teach you loading and shooting.
For now, I see you are brand new on here and was wondering if you have had a chance to shoot better than 3" at 100 yards of any other sort?
Can you describe the rigs you are shooting a little more? And, how you are shooting them? Bipods, bag rests, slings and elbows, offhand, etc.? Most long guns with decent ammo will do better than 3" at 100 yards, but not all of them.
This would narrow down the issues a little cause right now we don't know if it is the arrow, the Indian, or both.
Lucky Shooter
Gold $$ Contributor
223
12 twist----50, 52, 55 grain bullets
Many powders work here----but----late in life, N133 was tried.
Great accuracy and relatively high MV.
Look around to see other opinions.
A. Weldy
12 twist----50, 52, 55 grain bullets
Many powders work here----but----late in life, N133 was tried.
Great accuracy and relatively high MV.
Look around to see other opinions.
A. Weldy
COLT45SA
Silver $$ Contributor
My Ruger 77 with a paddle stock is not exactly a bench-rest gun,but with a Timney trigger I can do 5/16Th inches with a Nosler 55gr BT over 8208.
I've recently learned that a 1:12 twist barrel will do better with lighter pills, so I bought some Hornady 52 ELD Match, Speer 52gr Target Match, Barnes 50gr Varminators, and some Sierra 52gr MatchKing HPBTs.
Will be trying H322, H335 and N133 as well as some more 8208.
I've recently learned that a 1:12 twist barrel will do better with lighter pills, so I bought some Hornady 52 ELD Match, Speer 52gr Target Match, Barnes 50gr Varminators, and some Sierra 52gr MatchKing HPBTs.
Will be trying H322, H335 and N133 as well as some more 8208.
COLT45SA
Silver $$ Contributor
.223 bolt gun1:12 twist rifle looking for an extremely accurate bullet and powder combination to start a new ladder. I've been shooting a 55gr (too heavy for the twist) Nosler BT over 8208 and can't get under 5/16" groups.
I'm sure some of you guys are doing better than that, and I'd like to try your suggestion.
I'm sure some of you guys are doing better than that, and I'd like to try your suggestion.
FWIW I find 8208 somewhat too slow for 50gr BT's from an 18" Rem Model 7.
55's I have never tried as the 50's seem great out of that rifle with ADI 2207 behind them.
Maybe you need go to a faster powder.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.