223 rem velocities

[mitchellchandler_au]

Hi all,

The other day I was load testing my 223 with the 80gn SMK using 25.0 gn of varget,AR2208) to give me a group of around .380 with a ES of around 10 fps but the velocity is around 2810fps. The ranges I shoot are from 300-900 yards. Will the velocity iam getting get me to 900 yards. I cannot get much more powder in the Lapua match case.

Thanks,
mitchell

 

[gaintwist]

That is a great ES. I shoot a 223 bolt gun in fullbore prone and started shooting it last summer with your load and it made it to 1000 ok...but I have a 30"bbl and was getting close to 3K from it. The 25g Vgt load had over 22" vertical at 1K. I can get 26g R-15 in the WW case with very little compression. That load pushes the 80g out at 3100+ and 10 shot groups are under 12" at 1K but the ES is still 35+.. My problem now is getting the ES down. What primer do you use?
cheers,
gt

 

[mitchellchandler_au]

Hi gaintwist,

The primer I am using are federal SR. I was using rem brass with 25.2 and getting 3000fps but as soon as I went to the lapua match case I lost 200fps bu the group got a whole lot better. The barrel I have is an Australian made MAB set at 28 inch.

 

[mysticplayer]

If there are no pressure signs, try using a drop tube. You will likely gain 1/2 to 1gr of extra room but be careful with the pressures as things will get toasty in a big hurry.

Another option would be to go with a faster powder like Hodgdon Benchmark.

Looking seriously at building my own F class 223 if I can sell some stuff.

Jerry

 

[mitchellchandler_au]

hi mysticplayer,

The pressure on the primer looks to be on the limit or very close to it. The primer is flat with slight cratering and sometimes the ejector on the Omark44 wont kick it free of the action.

something interesting is that with the old load the POI is about 2 MOA above the current load at 2810fps but when the primers are exchanged the old load lands with the new ones at 2810fps!

Thanks,
mitchell

 

[mysticplayer]

You should be able to go back to your 3000fps by trying new primers and powders. I have seen some large changes in velocities due to primers alone. CCI BR4 tends to the 'softest' and CCI 450 the hottest. Not much time spent with the Feds so can't really say.

It is also interesting that you say a change in brass has improved your accuracy. I have never seen this with Win/Rem shooting as well as Norma/Lapua in many of the test rifles over the years.

I wonder if you also changed primers at the same time as the Lapua and/or your barrel likes going slower????

Unlike th 308, there isn't alot of development I have seen for the 223 and heavy bullets,maybe just looking in the wrong places). I am sure that with the same efforts put into the 308, the 223 will be its peer.

gaintwist, how do your Re loads shoot at 300yds? I have found loads that had poor numbers that shot very well and vice versa. Chronies aren't the best sources of data. Too many things can affect results.

I just look at how the groups are. If I see stringing, I will adjust my load. I feel that by 300/400yds, if there is no stringing, any stringing I see further out is due to something other then load.

Jerry

 

[gaintwist]

Jerry,
My 223 is a fullbore prone gun. Competition is from 300 to 1000. I focus load development on the longest range I shoot. When I can, I shoot off the bench through the Oehler and onto a 1K target with pal in the pits to radio the hit location. Usually no corralation with ES velocity and vertical of hit...hummm? Still would like to get the ES down. I initially tested Varget groups/loads at 200y...they all shot great.. .5 to .75" but the best had 20+ vertical at 1K. Suspected xs ES.
I will take your suggestion and shoot my hot R15 at 300. Agree with your chrono comment. No need in messing with that when it doesn't relate to vertical. Bench technique with a prone gun could easily be a factor. Think I will work on shooting prone with sling and scope off bags as a HM pal suggested. Just need more trigger time I guess.
thanks for your suggestions,
-lige