223 AI

[Gary in MD]

My 223ai has a 12 twist, it’s my varmint rifle when I’m trying to keep the noise down a little as opposed to the 22-250 or Swift.
I’m shooting the 55 grain Hornady Vmax pushed by a heavy load of TAC.

 

[nakneker]

Brad has quite the reputation for accurate barrels and customer service! Great cartridge. I’m hoping someone, maybe myself, will test some StaBall match in it. I’ve a jug I’m gonna try in a few offering with heavies. Wanting on the new Hodgdon load data publication so I know where to start on some.

 

[806guns]

Loaded up 20 last night, hopefully i can get out and post results later this evening

 

[806guns]

This is all i have to show for now, had some hickups tonight. Time to load a few more.

 

[806guns]

https://www.rmrbullets.com/shop/bul...thp-3gh-new-read-description-before-ordering/

Cheap 75gr

 

[urbanrifleman]

This is all i have to show for now, had some hickups tonight. Time to load a few more. View attachment 1427515View attachment 1427516

Nice!!!

 

[806guns]

Not the best groups. 8208 24.5 gr 55gr seconds set around 2.2 oal

 

[urbanrifleman]

Not the best groups. 8208 24.5 gr 55gr seconds set around 2.2 oal
View attachment 1427784

It's a start !!!

 

[SecondsCount]

223AI works well with 8208XBR so you are on the right track there. Find some match grade bullets, at least to get a baseline, and then start playing with the 2nds.

 

[Gary in MD]

It’s a decent start, but I agree with Urban, you need to be a little higher in your powder charge. This will help insure that your cases are blown out and will also probably be more accurate. How far off the rifling are you?

 

[806guns]

It’s a decent start, but I agree with Urban, you need to be a little higher in your powder charge. This will help insure that your cases are blown out and will also probably be more accurate. How far off the rifling are you?

Around 20 thou, do i need to keep these closer to the lands ?

 

[Gary in MD]

I do with mine, especially when I’m fire forming new brass. Then after fully fire formed, I will experiment with the bullet seating depth.

 

[wildcatter]

Fast powders for the parent cartridge, top end charges for the non-AI case, and crowd the bullets .010 to .020 and get great results in other AI chambers.

 

[806guns]

Playing with the last of the 55gr i had loaded. Time to load some heavies.

 

[ggshoots]

I just punched a Ruger Predator 223 out to 223AI and it fireforms great loading off the top end of parent load recommendation with H4895. Fireforming it is a tac driver. Loaded up a bunch of Hornady 75 and Sierra 77's. Went up to 26.9gr H4895 with the Hornady's and it looks like it is coming back into another node, no pressure issues at all and right at 3200fps. If this node doesn't develop I will back down to 25.2 at around 2925fps as Im not a hotrodder anyway unless it shoots best there. This is my first 223AI and actually my first 223 except for AR's. I am really loving this cartridge as it is extremely accurate and even with my top loads this far shoots so nice.

 

[DogBuster]

On my 2nd 223 AI barrel...as shown here

Both have been Pac Nor prefits....this one is 9 twist/3 groove & 28" long

Large shank Savage target action....weighs in at 18#....no recoil jump

Benchmark & IMR 8208 behind the 53 V max....lights out p/dogs

 

[806guns]

Love it, im going to run some 50gr tnt behind 8208 next and work a load up for pdogs and yotes.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Love it, im going to run some 50gr tnt behind 8208 next and work a load up for pdogs and yotes.

Finally !!

26.3 grains of Lt 32. That is basically the powder halfway up the neck.

50 TNT Jumped .045"

You probably won't be able to get enough 8208 in the case to hit pressure. Effectively you could fill the case and stick the bullet in it at .045" jump.

 

[806guns]

Lt-32 is the one powder i dont have

 

[806guns]

Swapped the H&S stock for my chassis and found my issue is with the H&S stock. Will bedding fix the flex in the fore end of the stock ? It is free floated with the dollar bill method. Groups shrunk even more with the chassis. I really like these H&S stocks.