223. rem 69gr sierra matchking load development help

[Matt_3479]

I am helping a buddy out and working up a load for his 223. Since i dont shoot 223 and never really have much i was sure where to begin with it. I picked up Varget and was able to figure out 24-26grs seems to be kind of the sweet spot for most peoples guns but what about COAL? im not really sure where to be running it. it looks like a lot of people are around 2.60" i believe or that might be what the book says but have been had better luck with them running them long! any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Juma]

Try the 65gr Sierra using 24gr BM2. Finding it blindingly accurate and brutal in performance. Red hind shot @ 180 at the base of the neck went right thru leaving about 2in hole from entrance to exit .

 

[jr600yd]

What type rifle. Gas gun, bolt gun?

 

[MGYSGT]

Serria's book is a good place to start. Just make sure you are using the part of the book for your rifle. There are loads for Bolt guns and Gas guns.

Tom

 

[40X Guy]

If you can find some XBR-8208 powder try that. As for the 69 MK's, put them at .010 off the lands assuming this is a bolt gun. Varget did produce some nice groups in my .223 9 twist Savage but the XBR-8208 is amazing in my rifle!

Frank

 

[Matt_3479]

It is a Tikka T3 Lite 1:8 twist, sorry i should of mentioned that. I know there are some other good powders out but like i mentioned early its a friends gun and this is the combo he gave me so im going to start there before i move on to a new powder

 

[LawrenceHanson]

You and your friend are on the right track. You have chosen a formula (223 Remington/1:8 twist/Sierra 69 Match King/Varget) that has been proven over time to produce excellent results in many rifles. Chances are good that if you stick with that formula, and put a little effort into experimenting with powder charges and bullet seating depths, you will be pleased with the results.

However, only you and your friend can determine what the optimal seating depth is in your rifle. You will get all kinds of advice on the internet but the only way to find out what will work best for you is by testing various seating depths and interpreting the results from your targets.

 

[MrMajestic]

Lawrence is spot on

 

[mac86951]

Oh, and watch out for the initial typo (i hope)

Start at 2.260" not 2.6" Given that you are shooting bolt gun, if you want to mag feed, find out what maximum COL will fit in the mag (no crimping needed on 223), 2.260 to a 0.010 jump to the lands is good for the 69gr.


Start low, but I'm guessing you'll find 25-25.5gr Varget to be a good shooter.

-Mac

 

[5spd]

I ran 24.5g Varget with the 69g sierra, 2.235" col, cc1 400 and spat them right at 2800 fps.
24.5g blc2, cc1400, 2.235"col, 2833fps and this load shot smaller groups than the varget load.
Another small group load was 24.5g W748, 2.235"col, cc1 400, 2850 fps.
This is out of my Savage 1/9" twist.
I tried them starting at 2.280" But they all jambed sliding into the chamber due to the HP catching, I set them in until they fed with no hang ups.
Single loaded would be fine, but I don't shoot 1 at a time when out in the field.

 

[Snuggie]

Varget is good, 8208XBR is the bomb!! Give it a try.

 

[wrangler5]

You might take a look at this article http://www.eabco.com/Berger%20Bullet%20Jump%20Seating%20Method.html for a quick method of closing in on the best seating depth for a particular bullet in your barrel. I tried it, and found best accuracy with 69 SMKs (as well as with Berger 70g VLDs) to be with a setback of 0.065.

But look at this article too, about the risks of excess pressure from too much setback in small cases like 223. http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/03/berger-tips-for-loading-vld-bullets/