223 match bolt action load data

[Baer45]

Extreme spread in velocity means a heck of a lot shooting to 800 yds Plus in SW Va....

 

[Longtrain]

...build a trainer rifle and I'm looking for some starting points for development. The barrel is a nss criterion 7twist with a .090" freebore. I plan on using 77gr smk, ramshot tac, and cci primers...

If you’re building a bolt trainer rifle to shoot XTC, your 77SMK’s, TAC and primers will be just fine. Select a moderate load that’s pretty accurate and practice. I used TAC for years, accurate, no issues. Everyone has their favorite powder combo, doesn’t mean TAC won’t work, it does.

Assuming you’re going to position shoot, practice standing, your rapids and slow fire. Run the bolt until it becomes smooth. I didn’t say it but slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

I would recommend getting some dummy rounds to practice running the bolt in position and changing your mag during the practice string. Do this over and over, until it becomes second nature. Nothing worse trying this at a match and fumbling with the bolt, removing your head from position, trying to find your target again...as the clock ticks away.

 

[Farmerboy78]

If you’re building a bolt trainer rifle to shoot XTC, your 77SMK’s, TAC and primers will be just fine. Select a moderate load that’s pretty accurate and practice. I used TAC for years, accurate, no issues. Everyone has their favorite powder combo, doesn’t mean TAC won’t work, it does.

Assuming you’re going to position shoot, practice standing, your rapids and slow fire. Run the bolt until it becomes smooth. I didn’t say it but slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

I would recommend getting some dummy rounds to practice running the bolt in position and changing your mag during the practice string. Do this over and over, until it becomes second nature. Nothing worse trying this at a match and fumbling with the bolt, removing your head from position, trying to find your target again...as the clock ticks away.

It's a practice rifle for prs, and I went with varget and 75gr vld

 

[Hohn]

I've got an example of the same NSS barrel installed now and I've started initial development. I'm seeing 88ELD jammed at 2.52" OAL and 80 ELDs jam at 2.5" Honestly, this is a shorter chamber than I was expecting (I can run these lengths in my 5.56 NATO AR).

Don't worry about ES in velocity or ES in any group.

 

[rebs]

I've moved from Varget to AR-Comp for 223/556

23.6g // mag length

What bullet and in an AR or a bolt gun ?

 

[LVLAaron]

What bullet and in an AR or a bolt gun ?

20 inch service rifle barrel. AR15. Sierra 80 g MK

23.9g AR-Comp yields 2900 FPS

 

[Hohn]

20 inch service rifle barrel. AR15. Sierra 80 g MK

23.9g AR-Comp yields 2900 FPS

That is a HOT load.

 

[LVLAaron]

That is a HOT load.

But it shoots tiny groups and wins matches.

 

[Farmerboy78]

Ive worked a new load for my rifle. LC brass. 75gr Berger. 25.4gr varget. Cci 400 primer. With the non-magnum 400 primer I was able to come down 0.6gr varget to lower my speed to 3000fps. Thats the cutoff in pros for 223 tactical division.

 

[jelenko]

and wins matches

I get your point about tiny groups but, in XTC, as you know, position stability and shot execution more than group size. Our 10 rings are 2 MOA or more - depending on the stage.

 

[Hohn]

I am not in favor of other people’s loads .
Guns and parts cost money and do Doctors .

Start low development of your load will follow.

Best of luck .

Sound advice but going from a shorter throat to a longer one is unlikely to show you higher pressure.

 

[DR_2297]

23.5 grains of 8208 and an 80.5. You’re welcome.

 

[jelenko]

23.5 grains of 8208 and an 80.5. You’re welcome.

Wow. That's exactly the load I use. Small groups!

 

[Indiana6547]

I only read what FarmerBoy writes. Listen to his wisdom.

 

[LVLAaron]

I get your point about tiny groups but, in XTC, as you know, position stability and shot execution more than group size. Our 10 rings are 2 MOA or more - depending on the stage.

I'll take a 1/4 MOA gun over a 1 MOA gun any day of the week. I use that load for AR-Tactical, not XTC, so a different game.

 

[jelenko]

Ah!

 

[JAlfred]

Wow. That's exactly the load I use. Small groups!

How long are your chamber throated?

I am.running 23.2 gr behind a 80 gr. Nosler custom comp. Around 2990 for and very respectable accuracy. Factory Savage F-TR. 30" barrel.

 

[jelenko]

I'm using the load with a 'spacegun' with a 24" barrel, Wylde chamber, 1:8 twist.
My understanding is the freebore in a Wylde is supposed to be .0619.

 

[manitou210]

80.5 BERGERS, lots of varget, Lake City, GM primers, 30.5 HV Palma
2950 fps

 

[DR_2297]

How long are your chamber throated?

I am.running 23.2 gr behind a 80 gr. Nosler custom comp. Around 2990 for and very respectable accuracy. Factory Savage F-TR. 30" barrel.

At the moment my service rifles wear 7 twist Kriegers with CLE chambers. So like .025 freebore.