223 reloading

[Link]

Hi I am going to a Rem SPS Bolt rifle in 223 1 in 9 T in a 20 " tube.

For a load how about the 69 SMK?

I have Redding 223 AI comp dies, neck bushing, body bump and comp bullet seater. Can I use them ?

thanks in advance.

 

[RonAKA]

Berger shows a 1 in 9 is good up to 70 grains in low drag, and 73 for standard boat tail. So, I would think you would be ok with the 69 grain SMK.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/Products/All%20Bullets.html

 

[37Lincoln1]

Here's a good article on the 223:

http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

Buy dies specifically for your new 223, do not use the 223 AI for it.

 

[15Tango]

69 SMK is decent but I prefer the 68 Hornady. I run a 75 VLD out of my 20" 9 twist just fine. Varget, Reloder 15 and BLC-2 will most likely end up being the best powders for heavy bullets in the .223.

Like Lincoln said, get new dies. Either that or have you .223 reamed out to a .223 AI, it might cost about what those dies you have are worth! That's what I'd do but that's just me.

Wayne

 

[boltman13]

I have had excellent results with SMK 69's in my 1:9 Bushy with a 20" barrel. Varget and Re-15 about the same. The Hornady 68's arn't too shaby either, but the SMK's are just a tad better in my rifle. Try 25.5 of Varget, or 25.0 of Re-15. I use Win brass and Rem 7 1/2 primers. Good luck.

 

[Pappy83]

I have had excellent results with the 77smk in my savage precison carbine with 1-9 twist, they shoot better then the 69smk in my rifle.

 

[Johnboy]

even my 1:9 shoots the 75gn vld and the 77gn ncc really well.but for me I tried the new 4007 IMR has with both bullets.and let me say it worked great for the two bullets.the 77gn ncc gave me a .300 something with a 5 shoot group,but take away the cold bore shoot and it becomes a .111 group.so you make the call to what powder you want to use.just wanted to try something different and it worked.

 

[7mmtcu]

I have had great luck with the new 8208xbr powder under 69snk with wolf primers. 24 inch 1in10 bergara bbl on an encore. 200 yd 3/4 inch 600yd 6inch and I don't shoot much 600. Local benchrester uses 8208 he shot a inch and 7/8 group sunday in 600 yd shoot.

 

[hogan]

Think you could make a go of it, using your AI dies I mean...

You are gonna be using a heavy bolt action, in that Rem 700 SA. Until you get so much case stretch that you can't close the bolt you will be fine. Not like your chamber is AI'd so brass will only fill the chamber and then retract about .001 or .0015. MIGHT be a Long Time before you have brass problems. Then, you might fix things by keeping your cases trimmed anyway...

No need to change seating dies, ever. Use your sizing die to do neck dimension only and you will be fine.


If you do have any "problems", a body die should be all you'll need. Probably won't have to use it often.

Worth a try, ain't it?

Just be sure to use decent brass. The harder the better. Lake City, Winchester, WCC etc....

Good luck!