223 load advice for new Cooper

[radshooter]

Have new Cooper 223 (1:12 twist)..looking for some load advice....I have 40,50,52,53 GR Sierra BK, 52 GR Bergers, 52 GR Bart's and 52 GR HOR AMax bullets available and H322, Benchmark, VV N133, H4895, H335 and XBR 8208 powders on hand. Will be using Lapua brass with Fed Match primers....any advice on good accuracy loads you all have found would be appreciated

 

[K22]

I've tried Benchmark and had good results (under 1/2 moa) using 50 grain Noslers, Federal Match Primers 205M. Just be careful since the pressure rises quickly with this powder; at least it did in my rifles.

Never used H4895 but see the cartridge guide in this forum, reports are very good for this poweder with 50 grain Vmax bullets.

My advice is for a 12" twist, I'd focus on the 50 and 55 grain bullets first. You should have no trouble finding a 1/2 moa load especially with the high quality rifle that you have.

For me the best powder / combination I've found for all my rifles (seven) is Varget with 50 and 55 grain bullets with 12" twists. I use Federal 205M primers and Nosler bullets. Best group to date is .130 with a custom 223 with a Douglas match barrel.

 

[areaone]

My AR 15 is super with 26.5 grains W748 and 50 grain sierras with rem 71/2 primers. VERY accurate load. three shot around.25 at 100 yds. Great pririe dog load.

 

[SS427]

I'm with K22 on bullet weight and powder. You didn't list Varget, but that is my go-to powder in all three .223s that I own. 52 and 53 grain match bullets produce consistent 1/2 inch groups in two rifles, both with 26 grains of Varget. In the third rifle I use just for varmint hunting, 24 grains of Varget and 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips are the most accurate. It is a light load and gives up some velocity, but most shots with this gun are at 250 yards or less.

N133 gives similar accuracy, but since Varget is cheaper and supposedly temperture stable, I use it instead. Lapua brass and 205m Federal primers.

Other powders you have listed I had good luck with was H322 (meters great) and H4895. None of my rifles shot all that great with Benchmark. H335 worked pretty good, but it was dirty and I don't like those fine flake powders.

Was wondering about the 1:12 twist in your .223, but it looks like Cooper has standardized their .233 with the 12 twist instead of a 14 twist. They sure have screwed up their website.

 

[RAG]

Another vote for Benchmark. I've had several .223s that it worked well in, producing good accuracy and velocity. I also like N133 equally well. I usually shoot the 40grain pills, and with both of these powders, my best load usually fills the case with powder (to the rim or thereabouts).

 

[H2OBUG]

I would start with the 52 SMK and H4895 or Varget--If you want to reduce you load density try H4198

My best loads have been with the varget and the Sierra bullet

I have also had good sucess wit the cheep 50gr Hornady SP SX and H4895

Both have done right as .625" in my gun--BTW the barrel is gone in this gun--still shoots that good

 

[Jeff A]

N133 user here. Outstanding accuracy in my 1 in 12 AR-15.

 

[MrMajestic]

I didn't see anything on your list that won't work! Its all known performers in any combination and your barrel will have to tell you what it likes. Good luck and I'll bet you find a "Hummer"!

 

[mikecr]

I'm surprised it's 12tw. Mine is 14tw.
I use 50gr Jayner FB, 27.2gr H322, and Fed 205s

 

[SS427]

Take a look at their new website. They list .223, .222 and .22-250 with 1:12 twist now. Yet they still offer the 6mmBR 1:14, with an optional 1:10. Must be the new management making changes.

 

[mikecr]

I'm glad they do, and think anyone offering 223 chamberings should hold 12tw as the standard, with twist above and below as optional.

 

[Larryh128]

I've shot H4895, Benchmark & Varget with good results. I settled on 25 grs of Benchmark with a 52-55 gr bullet. Clean & accurate & functions great in AR platforms as well.

 

[wapiti25]

Benchmark is very good with 50-55 gr for me. That was with 71/2 primer. I have good results with IMR 4895, wolf/Tula SRM and a 55gr FB. I'm using 27gr in neck sized FC cases. Try Wolf/Tula primers as they can beat 205M's for vertical spread at 300 and 400yds.

 

[Pyscodog]

8208 and CFE works really well in the 223 and an occasionally BLc-2 works well also. Varget works good in about everything.

 

[DennisH]

Pyscodog,

Your having pretty good luck with the 8208XBR? I bought some and haven't tried it. What's a good startng point for 55nbt's with the XBR?