.223 loads for SMK 69g bolt etc.

[CT10ring]

Any info on loads for .223 Rem/ SMK 69g. ? - I have Varget, H335, RL-15 on hand. Any suggestions on loads using those powders? I have only CCI BR-4 primers at the moment. Lapua brass, new. Using a new Rem 700 action repeater ADL/ Lilja 26" Barrel 1:8 twist. I can fit up to 2.335" in the mag, most reloads state 2.25" OAL max- any reason I can't load closer to the lands if they fit the the mag? My experience has been that if I can load longer than the Sierra guide suggests, w 22-250 & .204 Ruger anyway), I will have more accurate shooting....

 

[billmo]

Bill, I load 25.7 to 26.0 gr. of varget for my RRA AR-15 Varminter 18 " SS Wilson air gauge match barrel with the 69 SMKs in Lapua brass and CCI BR-4 CCI primer. I get very tight groups,@ .250 to .375 as a norm when I do my part) at 100 yds. and have taken out 20 oz. pop bottles filled with water at 500 and 600 yds. consistantly. Bill

 

[keithcatfish]

My Savage VLP, with a 26", 1:9 twist likes 24.5g of Varget, Win brass, CCI BR4 primer with the 69g SMK .030 off the lands. Its a mild load but shoots in the fours all day.

If you don't need the BC of the SMK for longer distances or want to shoot varmints you might try thr Sierra 60 g varminter. Its cheap, and with 24.5 g of Varget aggs in the fives.

My rifle has a strong preference for both the aforementioned bullets.

 

[CT10ring]

Billmo-
Thanks for the info! Perfect! I loaded some with OAL of 2.335" - just fit in Rem 700 mag box/ ADL, using 25.0g RL-15 & CCI BR-4's. Will try Varget too-It seems to work on every caliber I try, so far). Those are great groups from the RRA. Guess the OAL standard of 2.25" is to fit AR mags?

I asked my gunsmith to throat chamber for 80g's, I'm going to try JLK 80 vld's),so plenty of room for the 69's, I'd guess, having never reloaded for .223 before.

Guess the pop bottles make good PD substitutes? 2 Liter or 12 oz. bottles- ha ha...

Keith- Many thanx for the info, also. May I ask what the OAL is on your round. Yes, I'd thought of moving down to the 60's later for more speed on PD's... you read my mind.

 

[keithcatfish]

I load both bullets at .030 off the lands. I've experimented with seating depth but it made little difference as long as both bullets have more than .015 jump. OAL for the SMK is 2.325, the 60g is 2.285

 

[CT10ring]

helpful to know- so the SMK's like to jump some? I just assumed that the closer they were to the lands, the better. Many thanks.

 

[Buzzsaw]

Let me know how the 80 VLD's work please.
Buzz

 

[acloco]

Don't forget to try some H4895 with the 69 gr HPBT's,Nosler or Seirra's). Three of my 223's,including an AR15) like 25.0 of H4895, CCI 450 primers, and Win commercial brass....at 3050 fps.

 

[CT10ring]

Buzzsaw- still trying to understand how to seat the JLK VLD's. I tried RL-15 1st, as I had & want to use,up). No real luck, 5/8" @ 100 yds was best I could do - 24.5g & varying seating depths. Switched to Varget-better! Best group so far in new barrel is attached photo- about .325" w/o my errant 5th shot to left. May not be my best shooting ever, so will try again. I will try at 300 yds this week. 30 rounds total with this rifle. 20X scope @ 20X.

Question for any VLD users--I got best group jamming .223 VLD 80 g hard into lands-
probably .035"-.040". I could barely close the bolt of my Rem 700. primers very slightly cratered, no sticky bolt at all, primers not particularly flattened. Is it customary to jam so hard into lands, typical for VLD's. .... No chrono testing so far.

Anyone have thoughts on jamming vlds, safety issues, etc. Also, should I expect the VLD's to be better / worse / average accuracy wise at 100 yds & excel at 300-600 yds? opinions appreciated.