223 Rem w/75 gr bullets and CFE223

[Frankm]

Anyone shooting 75-77 gr bullets in 223/5.56 with CFE223? Are you loading anywhere near 26 grs of powder? QL indicating that is still a safe area, high 50K pressure range but within Saami pressure for 556.

Got a strong bolt action and have loaded to 25 grs but wondering if others have “ stepped on the gas” a little more and what experiences they ve had??
Thx for any input.

 

[CJ6]

My best is 26.5 of CFE, 75gr ELD-Ms .010 OFF the lands.
This is MAX 5.56 NATO (Hornady) charge weight with the bullet seated past magazine length.

 

[Frankm]

CJ6, thanks for info. I ve got extended magazine and load to 2.470” which puts me .030 off the lands. Sounds like there’s some room to increase charge weight slowly.

How’s your primer pockets holding up to 26.5 grs of CFE223????

 

[Frankm]

Also, do you have a barrel length, velocity measurement? Thx

 

[CJ6]

CJ6, thanks for info. I ve got extended magazine and load to 2.470” which puts me .030 off the lands. Sounds like there’s some room to increase charge weight slowly.

How’s your primer pockets holding up to 26.5 grs of CFE223????

Great so far. Lapua brass and Tula SRMs for primers. I could go higher, but I don't see the need to. Primers still have nice rounded edges.

 

[CJ6]

Also, do you have a barrel length, velocity measurement? Thx

Barrel is 22 inches factory Ruger American. I don't have velocities as of yet.

 

[65swede]

I worked up a nice load. but it's a tikka, it shoots everything well.

 

[CJ6]

View attachment 1485818

I worked up a nice load. but it's a tikka, it shoots everything well.

Those are the groups I'm getting, just different case and primer.

 

[SpikeDiesel]

I’m shooting a 26” PVA osprey on a Tikka with a 75eldm and 26g CFE223 @2960 fps average with an SD of 8. This is with Norma brass and a federal GMM primer.

 

[SecondsCount]

@lb-ft has a load

 

[misser]

Anyone shooting 75-77 gr bullets in 223/5.56 with CFE223? Are you loading anywhere near 26 grs of powder? QL indicating that is still a safe area, high 50K pressure range but within Saami pressure for 556.

Got a strong bolt action and have loaded to 25 grs but wondering if others have “ stepped on the gas” a little more and what experiences they ve had??
Thx for any input.

with 75 i 'm using varget 25gr with 77 gr 2520 25.3

 

[Frankm]

Update:
Shot 25.4 and 25.8 of CFE223 yesterday and no sticky bolt or flattened primers. Everything ejected easily. 25.4 ran 2880-2900 fps range while 25.8 jumped up to 2930-2950 fps. My 24 grs of H4895 runs 2875 so think I m gonna run 25.4 and s/b pretty much inter-changeable.

Steel to 750 yds was pretty easy but wind was low with max of 2 MOA of drift.

Fun day and shows a 223 is a nice performer with 75 gr class bullets and minimum 9 twist rifle! Since LR primers are still like hens teeth I ll leave the 22 GT in the safe and play more with the 223 for the time being

 

[SecondsCount]

Update:
Shot 25.4 and 25.8 of CFE223 yesterday and no sticky bolt or flattened primers. Everything ejected easily. 25.4 ran 2880-2900 fps range while 25.8 jumped up to 2930-2950 fps. My 24 grs of H4895 runs 2875 so think I m gonna run 25.4 and s/b pretty much inter-changeable.

Steel to 750 yds was pretty easy but wind was low with max of 2 MOA of drift.

Fun day and shows a 223 is a nice performer with 75 gr class bullets and minimum 9 twist rifle! Since LR primers are still like hens teeth I ll leave the 22 GT in the safe and play more with the 223 for the time being

Your 22GT uses large rifle primers?

 

[JB10]

In one of my ARs im running 75 bthp hornady with cfe223. I load it at 24.7gr. Not a hot load but shoots good so i just left it alone.

 

[Frankm]

Secondscount, shooting 6GT brass necked and turned to 22. I run 88 s in it…. Pretty big step up from 223. Around 10 grs more powder, 13 grs more bullet and 20 fps give or take.

1000 yard shooting pretty comfortable with it. 28” barrel

 

[Frankm]

JB10, I run some Hor 75 btsp s also for steel and paper. Like the Eldm for LR Varmit s as it expands easily.

 

[Frankm]

Secondscount, I should have typed “leave 22 AI in the safe” … too many calibers. 22 GT just costs more powder than 223. It does get you 300 more yds of performance give or take. ( I like 223 in these current times as I can still find range brass and process it for free; only my labor needed)

 

[SecondsCount]

@Frankm

You said "Since LR primers are still like hens teeth I ll leave the 22 GT in the safe and play more with the 223 for the time being"

What does LR mean?

 

[Frankm]

LR = Large Rifle.

22 GT is small rifle
22-250 AI is large rifle

Been shooting more small rifle stuff just cause primers are more readily available. Hoping LR primers start showing up more but all the turmoil in the world seems to be affecting their availability

 

[JB10]

JB10, I run some Hor 75 btsp s also for steel and paper. Like the Eldm for LR Varmit s as it expands easily.

I have thought about trying them on coyotes but just have not done it yet