223 light bullets short barrel, powder?

[FireKracker50]

I was on a search for ultra light compact cary everywhere bolt gun for critter getter 0-300yrds with most all shots being between 50-150. I had pretty much decided on 20 practical or 204 ruger. But then remembered I had a Professional Ordanance Carbon 15 sitting in the safe that I never use. I know it will never shoot hole groups but it's only 4#. If I could find a load that shoots reasonably in it then I can make use of something I already have. It is 16inch skinny deep fluted barrel in 1:9 twist.

I'm thinking 40gr V-max because they are cheap. But I also have some 33 Shock Hammer, 35 hammer hunters, and 44 hammer hunters sitting around I could try in it. They are always incredibly easy load development. But pricey for just a critter getter. If anyone has a suggestion of another cheap light varmint bullet I'm all ears. Also assuming with short barrel and only 223 rem I won't be hitting any velocities that will spin 30-40grainers apart with the 1:9 twist.

My main decision I have to make now is powder. I don't think I have anything that fits the bill. Looking for something reasonably temp stable because I'll be using this from 0-100deg weather, however at the distances I'll be shooting it, it might not make much difference anyways. But my main concern is keeping the velocity up in the short barrel and cycling in a finicky gas gun. All while having enough accuracy to do some work still. And cheap is a plus, it's not like it's a target/competition setup.

My first thoughts were N130, Benchmark, RE 10x, maybe even RE 7. Does anyone have any experience in short barrel light 223 that could help me choose 1 or 2 powders to test. I have cfe223 and varget that I can also try but I think both are probably too slow of burn rates.

 

[K22]

I have two Remington Model 7"s with aftermarket Douglas match barrel, 20" in length. These are my walking around varmint rifles and are a very good option for predator hunting since I move a lot during those hunts, and I am carrying an electronic call, so the weight of my equipment is an issue.

Both of mine have 12" twists so perhaps my experience will be of limited use since you have 9" twist rates. Of course, these are bolt rifles not gas guns.

I have use 50 grain Nosler BT's successfully and extensively in these rifles on both eastern ground hogs and predators at distances under 300 yards, most of my shot opportunities in the 100-to-250-yard range.

In my 8" twist Tikka's, the 60 Vmax is by far the most accurate bullet I have tested, and it is a hammer on varmint / predator size critters.

The following powders have worked very well for me in these 20"-barrel lengths as well as longer barrel lengths: H 4985, IMR 4895, Varget, and Benchmark. H335 also shoots very well but I prefer stick powders for hunting reloads since they seem to be more temperature stable over a wide range of temperatures that I hunt.

 

[pilediver]

In my 8" twist Tikka's, the 60 Vmax is by far the most accurate bullet I have tested, and it is a hammer on varmint / predator size critters.
I will second this, my Tikka's love the 60 Vmax
My 8 twist AR's love it too, using Accurate 2230 or Accurate 2460 and the plus is these powders meter so well.

 

[FireKracker50]

I'm really hoping to go flatter shooting than the 60grainers. I already have 224 valk that I shoot 60-80.5grainers in for most coyote hunting. And two 22-250 shooting 50 grainers and 44 hammer hunters. Looking for more of a point and shoot without worrying about yardage. For critters from coyote size down to rodent size. It's less of a coyote hunter and more just general critters.

 

[SeabeeKen]

Sounds like a shotgun is needed

 

[FireKracker50]

Sounds like a shotgun is needed

Looking for something a little more subtle than that.

 

[Richard Jones]

19 1/4" Douglas on a Savage action, 14 t. Berger 52's currently with AA2015.

Also shoots 40's well.

Will kill any critter that you mention, at least out to the distances you mention.

Unbelievable ugly barrel, but man does it shoot.

 

[762willdo]

H335 is your friend I run 18” barrels on my squirrel guns and H335 at 29.5 and 40vmax gets me 3675fps…….accurate as hell
I should mention this is n a 223AI …….

 

[243winxb]

cycling in a finicky gas gun.

Semi-Auto AR15 type.............

The port pressure may not be enough to cycle the action, using 40 gr bullets? Depends on port size & location.

I run a 14.5 bbl with Sierra 52 & 53 gr bullets using IMR4198 powder. Worked the M16 carbine just fine. The powder is stick type and doesnt like powder measures. Expect +/- 2/10 grs variation.

Ball powders measure better. BL-C(2) or H335


I would try Benchmark using *Hodgdon's Pistol Data* for 40 gr bullets. 25.3 to 27.3 max. ?? May not like the measure , like 4198?

https://www.nosler.com/223-remington#IR82R2W
Nosler data using other powders-

 

[WV Hitman]

I only hunt with handguns. Have taken over 1500 groundhogs with my .223 Contender (H322) and over 1500 with my .22-250 XP (AA2015). Both guns shoot around 1/2". Last 3 years have used only 40 gr. VMaxes & BTs.

 

[FireKracker50]

I only hunt with handguns. Have taken over 1500 groundhogs with my .223 Contender (H322) and over 1500 with my .22-250 XP (AA2015). Both guns shoot around 1/2". Last 3 years have used only 40 gr. VMaxes & BTs.

Great info. Thank you. I've never tried H322. That's an extreme powder too so temp sensitivity shouldn't be an issue. I haven't even considered that powder. But it's now moved to top of the list.

 

[FireKracker50]

Semi-Auto AR15 type.............

Yes its an AR15 escencially. But most parts are proprietary and not interchangeable with typical ARs. It's all carbon and 4#. The BCG is different, buffer different, upper reciever and lower has different pin locations so non interchangeable. Probably some other differences I'm forgetting. It's not a great gun. But it's light and sitting there not being used.

 

[JB10]

Im using H335 with 50gr bullets in a 16 in barrel. Works great on coyotes

 

[FireKracker50]

H335 is your friend I run 18” barrels on my squirrel guns and H335 at 29.5 and 40vmax gets me 3675fps…….accurate as hell
I should mention this is n a 223AI …….

I worried a little about the temp stability of h335 but it's probably not worth worrying about.

 

[762willdo]

I worried a little about the temp stability of h335 but it's probably not worth worrying about.

In my opinion and I’m sure others will disagree temp sensitivity only matters if your shooting for score, not so much when your shooting minute of prairie dog or coyote……
it also might matter if your load is on the raggedy edge, mine never are unless I’m shooting for score…..

 

[FireKracker50]

In my opinion and I’m sure others will disagree temp sensitivity only matters if your shooting for score, not so much when your shooting minute of prairie dog or coyote……
it also might matter if your load is on the raggedy edge, mine never are unless I’m shooting for score…..

I tend to agree with you as well. 100yrd groups in load development from lowest charge to highest rarely changes in relation to the velocity. Poi shifts from in barrel timing changes. But I've never seen correlation between lower vel within reason and lower poi at 100yrds. 300 is probably first time it's going to be detectable. And even then probably negligible on most powders. With this gun >300 I don't care about. In fact it may never get shot over 250.

 

[searcher]

The 40 -Max with Accurate LT32 powder will do you nicely. In the short barrel, Reloader 7 is good too - but can be temperamental from one rifle to another. In a rifle it likes - can be really good, especially with the 50 V-Max

 

[Downhill]

The Hornady 55gr soft point is effective and economical. Might look at the Speer TNT's as well. Both are accurate enough for the application. I have ran the Hornady 55 gr SP in 200yd reduced course matches at the club level and maintain a master's score in Service Rifle.

 

[Todd Earhart]

I worked through several loads to get velocity from a short barrel AR. Ended up with a 55 gr.bullet over a lot of BL-C2. Of the six or so powders I tried I did not try 335. I have it and don't know why I didn't.
Todd

 

[MisterHelix]

I like Hodgdon benchmark. I use it in a 12.5” .223, and get velocities that make sense to me.