Guys I'm about to 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. I have alot of this on hand and know it's a good combo in my ar. What do you guys have for a setup like this? COAL and charge are my main concerns.
223 match bolt action load data
- Thread starter Farmerboy78
- Start date
I cannot help you on charge as I don't run spherical powders. Regarding COAL, you need to fit to your chamber/barrel. Use a Hornady OAL gauge and a Hornady Bullet Comparator to determine your bullet seating position to the lands, then try loads at various jumps (0.000, 0.005, 0.010, etc.), while keeping charge constant, and see what gives you best accuracy.
I would start with the load that you use for your AR. It's a proven load and the 77gr SMK's won't mind the jump - not saying the accuracy will be the best, but it may be acceptable for you.
My service rifle loves the Hornady 75gr BTHP, but my bolt rifle does not. So I tried the same brass/primer/powder charge with a Nosler 80gr Custom Comp bullet seated out looooong and the bolt rifle loves it.
I can load for either the bolt rifle or the AR on my Dillon and only need to adjust the seating depth.
My service rifle loves the Hornady 75gr BTHP, but my bolt rifle does not. So I tried the same brass/primer/powder charge with a Nosler 80gr Custom Comp bullet seated out looooong and the bolt rifle loves it.
I can load for either the bolt rifle or the AR on my Dillon and only need to adjust the seating depth.
I think this is really good advice. This is what I did and after 13 different loads with ten shot groups from bench rest, with repeated ten shot groups of the best performers, the pet load for the AR was the best load for the bolt action match rifle. I wrote a report on the test with the data, if you would like a copy of the report email me at chkunz@bellsouth.net and I will send you a copy.
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
I am not in favor of other people’s loads .
Guns and parts cost money and do Doctors .
Start low development of your load will follow.
Best of luck .
Guns and parts cost money and do Doctors .
Start low development of your load will follow.
Best of luck .
I agree but will add that none of my loads are above max or even near max in the loading manuals. I find accuracy that fits my needs at a good stiff load but below the loading manual max loads. I find that the Sierra manual accuracy loads are hard to beat.
Maybe I should not have offered my data.
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
Your good . Only thinking Safety .
Agreed on other people's loads. TAC is a popular ball powder, but I rarely see it do well at long range. Totally understood that you have it and want to use it, I'm in the same boat.
Question, what is your objective with this load? Practice? Why not practice in your AR, and at what range?
-Mac
Question, what is your objective with this load? Practice? Why not practice in your AR, and at what range?
-Mac
I'm using 69gr TMK, and just got some 70gr RDF to try.
Rifle is a stock Savage 110FP with 1:9 twist, so the heavier bullets (77gr) may not work for me.
Components are as follows.
LC prepped brass.
Fed 205M primers.
Alliant PP2000 powder.
As for length, i'm single feeding, so i am loading to 0.020" from the lands.
Rifle is a stock Savage 110FP with 1:9 twist, so the heavier bullets (77gr) may not work for me.
Components are as follows.
LC prepped brass.
Fed 205M primers.
Alliant PP2000 powder.
As for length, i'm single feeding, so i am loading to 0.020" from the lands.
This is going to be a repeater bolt action, using a northland shooter supply criterion 223 rem match chamber with 0.090" freebore and mdt aics style magazines that allow a long repeater. I use 23.6 tac and 77gr in my white oak armament ar out to 815 yds. Tac will get the job done very well. I've been reloading for about 10yrs now and just was just curious if anyone had used this combo loaded long. I understand I can use the 23.6gr as a starting load, i planned on it if there weren't any responses. This rifle will be a trainer for prs shooting and may see a couple 1 day tournaments. A friend is running this exact setup but with varget, but I plan to use tac for now at least.
Yep, Varget or H4895 is the way to go for a bolt .223. Your ball powder is going to have pressure variances with temperature. If you don't care about that, then burn up the TAC. You really should start from scratch with the bolt action load. As mentioned previously, to obtain optimum accuracy you will need to experiment with powder load and jump methodically. Unless someone is running your exact same chamber and barrel, I would not use any suggested loads from others. This is what the Ramshot/Western Powders .pdf says for TAC with your bullet: 77 SIERRA HPBT MK Start 21.1 grains 2,483 fps Max. 23.4 2,759 fps Max. Pressure 54,500 COL 2.260. The COL means almost nothing...need to fit to your chamber for jump, etc.. Coincidentally, I have the same barrel on order in 28" length. I'll be curious how you like yours. Website is here: https://www.ramshot.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/WPHandloading-Guide-7.0-Web-REV.pdf
Nick Caprinolo
Gold $$ Contributor
My latest build is a Remington 700, trued action, Bartlein barrel 1/8 twist cut to 22 inches, Jewel 2 oz trigger, on a custom made stock.
I was hoping for 1/4 in groups and wound up with bug holes. Truly accurate rifle that turns heads at the range.
I load 80 gr Berger target bullets, 21.8 grs of Vargat, CCI 400 primers, .0010 off the lands. If you check the Berger data manual, you will find that they always are on the low side of other manuals for comparable weight bullets. I assume that they tailor the powder weight, to the bullet shape and density of the jackets, on their bullets.
When looking for a load, I have always used Hodgdons load data but what I learned with this rifle is to disregard most of the powder manufactures listed data. From now on I will use data listed by the bullet manufacturers data and start out with a reduced load even then.
If you are wondering why the 22 inch barrel, it's because I almost blew that brand new barrel up, at the range, when breaking it in. It started out at 26 inches and I must have left a patch or at least part of one while cleaning it between each round. Put a bulge two inches from the muzzle. My smith cut 4 inches off and recrowned it and it was good to go. From that point forward, I always look down the barrel after cleaning. A habit I should have had, in the first place.
I was hoping for 1/4 in groups and wound up with bug holes. Truly accurate rifle that turns heads at the range.
I load 80 gr Berger target bullets, 21.8 grs of Vargat, CCI 400 primers, .0010 off the lands. If you check the Berger data manual, you will find that they always are on the low side of other manuals for comparable weight bullets. I assume that they tailor the powder weight, to the bullet shape and density of the jackets, on their bullets.
When looking for a load, I have always used Hodgdons load data but what I learned with this rifle is to disregard most of the powder manufactures listed data. From now on I will use data listed by the bullet manufacturers data and start out with a reduced load even then.
If you are wondering why the 22 inch barrel, it's because I almost blew that brand new barrel up, at the range, when breaking it in. It started out at 26 inches and I must have left a patch or at least part of one while cleaning it between each round. Put a bulge two inches from the muzzle. My smith cut 4 inches off and recrowned it and it was good to go. From that point forward, I always look down the barrel after cleaning. A habit I should have had, in the first place.
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I think TAC is a bit fast burning for heavy .223 in a bolt gun. I'd be looking at other powders if you're desiring to maximize performance. But if you just want a "fast enough, good enough" load, I'm sure TAC can push a 77 fast enough or accurately enough to be useful.
But compared to a slower burning powder pushing 80s, you'd be giving up some windage and at longer ranges, elevation too.
I believe the heavier 223 bullets are such a significant advantage that I'm going to re-barrel my nearly new Savage just to get a 7 twist that will run the heaviest. A 69smk or 73 ELD from a 9 twist really isn't int he same league as an 80 or heavier from a 7 twist, despite the speed advantage of the lighter bullets.
But compared to a slower burning powder pushing 80s, you'd be giving up some windage and at longer ranges, elevation too.
I believe the heavier 223 bullets are such a significant advantage that I'm going to re-barrel my nearly new Savage just to get a 7 twist that will run the heaviest. A 69smk or 73 ELD from a 9 twist really isn't int he same league as an 80 or heavier from a 7 twist, despite the speed advantage of the lighter bullets.
At what distance are you speaking of ? Big dif between 100-600 plus yards when it comes to twist and bullet design and weight.
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