.223 AI velocity Expectations

[nmkid]

H335/WC844 is surprisingly clean when you get it in the upper pressure range, for a 'dirty nasty ball powder'. MSDS shows the tin dioxide compound just like 'CFE'.

My 20 Practical just loves H-335. Surprising, (to me) how little H-335 is mentioned for this case.

 

[nmkid]

I'll keep my 20 Practical with a 40 gr Hornady at 3850 fps. Man, it's been months since I shot the little bugger, gotta get out there. I had it for sale but, the buyer backed out at the last minute. So, it sits in the safe. I almost went with a 223AI originally. Looks like either one would have been a shooter!

 

[bobcat93]

Had an 223 improved. My take
Accuracy was incredible 2nd most accurate rife I've ever owned.
LC brass prep was a pain
So I used Lapa
Brass life in my rifle was short (yes I annealed)
Maybe 5 reloads and the primer pockets lose or cases would crack.
I think the head space was a bit long.
I could never fill case or have compressed load with out high pressure.
To much work and prep for time spent on the bench
Should have gone with 22br wich is what im doing now

What mag did you use?

Anyone got them to feed from AICS 223 mags?

What mag did you use?

Anyone got them to feed from AICS 223 mags?

Mine was a PTG stealth bottom metal feeding eas perfect.
I had pillar fed the rifle left pillar hang long and Chad @ accurate rifles inc. Milled them off so I had the perfect dimensions from bottom metal so mags feed properly..does that make sense?..anyways..it was perfect

 

[Hoser]

I wonder if somebody have chambered AR 15 rifles for the 223AI and if there are feeding problems.
Filippo

I have several 223 Ackley AR-15s. It isnt supposed to work, but it does. You cant fit 30 rounds in a 30 round mag, but thats ok.

Kreiger 20 inch barrel, S&B 5-25, VLTOR Monolithic upper, Thunderbeast suppressor.

 

[FilippoMo]

Thank you for your answer,what about fire forming,can you perform this operation in your AR rifle?
Filippo

 

[Hoser]

Thank you for your answer,what about fire forming,can you perform this operation in your AR rifle?
Filippo

Yes. Not a problem at all.

I filled up most of a 5 gallon bucket over the past 18 months fireforming with my 3-gun rifle.

 

[RonS]

40gr V- Max @ 3900 fps in a 12 twist

 

[AckleymanII]

40gr V- Max @ 3900 fps in a 12 twist

Two of us can verify that this is Real World. I got 4100 on a 27" 12T barrel, 40g Nosler ballistic tips with IMI brass.

 

[IowaGeologist]

Two of us can verify that this is Real World. I got 4100 on a 27" 12T barrel, 40g Nosler ballistic tips with IMI brass.

Make that three. My fireforming load is 40 gr VMax over 28 gr Benchmark, runs right at 3,800 in warm weather with no pressure signs. Powder is almost to the case mouth and needs a good shake. Guessing 4100 would be possible after fireforming.

26" Criterion 1-8
Zermatt Origin Action

 

[Damon555]

Make that three. My fireforming load is 40 gr VMax over 28 gr Benchmark, runs right at 3,800 in warm weather with no pressure signs. Powder is almost to the case mouth and needs a good shake. Guessing 4100 would be possible after fireforming.

26" Criterion 1-8
Zermatt Origin Action

Make that four. I've got the same barrel and use a healthy dose of WC844 (H335). My 223AI shoots almost neck-n-neck with my sons 204R with a 40 grain bullet. I have not measure the velocity but having shot many a prairie dog side by side the 204R it was obvious that the performance was very similar. You're not going to get 22-250 velocities but there is a nominal gain over the standard 223......Not an enormous gain but significant enough to notice a difference further downrange.

 

[AckleymanII]

N133 with BR4's, and AA2015 will get you 4100+ with a 26" short freebore chamber with the 40g Nosler bT. Accuracy with the above is astounding to say the least.

 

[RonS]

Guys I’m shoveling in a little over 27gr of Power Pro Varmint with no pressure signs behind that 40gr V-Max through a 24” tube at +/- 3900...in a bolt gun

 

[AckleymanII]

with a 27", zero freebore, 12T Lilja, I get 4180 fps with AA2015 and N133...crows turn into powder puffs!

 

[Ackman]

These guys are right. The .223AI is a good step up from a std. 223. Ackleys hold more powder so they're gonna go faster. But it's not about % more powder = % more velocity, it's about where the accuracy is....the working/accuracy load. With std. cartridges best accuracy is very often well short of max velocity. Ackleys like to be pushed. My results mirror Ackleyman II's and others who've posted. AA 2015 or VV133 and 40's is good for 4096 in a 25" zero freebore chamber and IMI brass. Another .5 gr higher showed no pressure and close to 4200fps. With 50's, 3825 was best accuracy, also where my test loads stopped. That's well above .223- accuracy land and well into the 22-250 window. Amazing little cartridge, shows how a straighter case and a steeper shoulder can change things.

 

[sscoyote]

I have several 223 Ackley AR-15s. It isnt supposed to work, but it does. You cant fit 30 rounds in a 30 round mag, but thats ok.

Kreiger 20 inch barrel, S&B 5-25, VLTOR Monolithic upper, Thunderbeast suppressor.

Nicest of setups Hoser. Here's mine-- https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/insight-shooting-systems-coyote-hunting-ar/

 

[Hoser]

Nicest of setups Hoser. Here's mine-- https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/insight-shooting-systems-coyote-hunting-ar/

Thanks.

I didnt know you shot in Pueblo...

 

[sscoyote]

Thanks.

I didnt know you shot in Pueblo...

yessir--competed in your shoot once long time ago.

 

[Hoser]

yessir--competed in your shoot once long time ago.

Ahhh yes. Its been a while. Hope you are well.

 

[scope eye]

With 26gr of H4198 and 40gr Vmax's I got over 4000 fps while fire forming.
And after with a formed case it only took 24gr to get 4000 fps.

Dean

 

[sscoyote]

Never was able to get consistent velocities fireforming cases out of my AR but just load up my fireforming load and make brass walking a prairie dog town.