223AI loads?

[MildBill]

I am getting my first 223 Ackley Improved rifle back soon.

I have some benchmark and IMR 8208XBR powder on hand at this time.

I am looking to shoot 50 to 60 grain bullets with the rifle.

Would the powders on hand work, or are there better possibilities?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[acloco]

H4895 and RL15 works well too, especially with heavier bullets.

With Danzac/WS2 coated bullets, 69 gr Sierra or Nosler HPBT's run 3300, 75 AMax at 3150.

 

[ReedG]

Some good load info here ...

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

... I have a .223 AI on a Savage M12 action and PacNor barrel. Very good combo. I have not tried 8208 in anything yet as I tend to be a "Varget lover" first and Benchmark second. My rig will put 40-/50-gr. Vmax's into tiny little groups with 28.0/27.5 Varget and CCI400s. In my experience the AI is not "as good as a .22-250" the way some of the stories go, but a bit better than a factory .223 and the brass doesn't grow as much and lasts forever. I have a 1:14 twist and have not used anything heavier than 52-gr. Bergers. Enjoy.

 

[Ackman]

Since you asked about 50-60gr bullets and not 69's or 75's, I can tell you about what shoots in my gun. It's a 14 twist, 25" and shoots 50/55gr bullets really well. With 50's, AA2015 is fast and very accurate. But VV powder is even faster and possibly even more accurate. That barrel shoots VV133/50's at 3825 with ragged hole accuracy. And in that barrel 55's are most accurate with VV135 doing about 3660. Whatever powder works for you in a std. 223 will work in the 223AI. But in my rifle those two VV powders are absolutely better than anything else I've tried. And if you ever want to play with 40's, they'll do 4100-4200 very accurately with AA2015. My loads are with IMI brass, 7-1/2BR primer, and bullets have a light film of Lee Lube.

 

[jwv2001]

My rifle shoots every load well but a 50 gr. Vmax with 26g. of VV N133 is and has been the best combination in my rifle, 24" 14 twist, for a number of years. Velocity ~3400 fps.

 

[MildBill]

thanks for the replies,

My rifle is a Rem 700 Varmint SF that is brand new and being re-chambered to 223 AI.
It was shot with some Black Hills manufactured 50 grain v-max bullets to see if it would shoot decent enough to consider AI ing, and it passed with flying colors.

So when done the barrel will be a little shorter than 26"

 

[vmthtr]

I have an XP 100 rifle with a take off BR barrel in 14 twist that was chambered in 223 AI. I am using VV133 and a 50g Vmax. The Blitzkings shoot better, but I am cheap. I put a brake on it and really enjoy it in the poodle patch. Had a reamer made and went mostly from Ackmans recommendations. Can't say enough good about it. I am using IMI brass and on my 10th or so loading.

 

[HillbillySniper]

My ackley is a 9 twist that im shooting the 75 gr amax outta with varget powder. Try the wed site below some good info on for the AI as well as any other cartridge. Hope this helps


Hillbilly

http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=98

 

[markr]

You need to know the barrel twist before going over 55 grain bullets. For best accuracy with 60 gr bullets a 1-12 twist or faster, for bullets up to about 75 gr. a 1-9 twist.
For 69 gr Sierra MK I use Norma 201 almost exclusively...a clean burner, very good velocity and great accuracy!

 

[MildBill]

It is a 1 in 12 twist.

 

[m500]

You should definitely try the new 53 grain v-max. Hornady just introduced it in their new superformance varmint ammo. It was designed for the 12 twist barrels that are standard for the 223, even though many now have 9 twist barrels. It has a length of about .830, which is about max for the 12, and the thick jacket so it will also work in the 9 twist. It has a longer ogive than the other v-maxes, and is advertised with a G1 bc of .290. When I spoke with the techs at hornady last month,they said its ogive was "inbetween tangent and secant". It should be avalible in January.

 

[savageboy]

I have a 14 twist 24" bbl 224AI. I use H4895 and get great velocities and accuracy from the Sierra 60gr Hollow point flat base (a very overlooked bullet in my opinion), 50gr. Bal tips and I have a rockin reduced load that I get 3100FPS from w/ Blue Dot and the Horn. 35gr. Vmax. I shoot that one more than any of the others. Out to 150yds. its very accurate, quiet and kills Groundhogs very good. Duplicates .22 K hornet velocites. Bad in the wind though.

 

[MildBill]

You should definitely try the new 53 grain v-max. Hornady just introduced it in their new superformance varmint ammo. It was designed for the 12 twist barrels that are standard for the 223, even though many now have 9 twist barrels. It has a length of about .830, which is about max for the 12, and the thick jacket so it will also work in the 9 twist. It has a longer ogive than the other v-maxes, and is advertised with a G1 bc of .290. When I spoke with the techs at hornady last month,they said its ogive was "inbetween tangent and secant". It should be avalible in January.

I recently bought a box of 223 superformance ammo with that bullet in it. Have not had a chance to shoot any yet, but I am itching to do some coyote calling asap.

 

[GaCop]

My AI barrel is a 1 in 8 twist, stainless steel heavy varmint at28". To date, My best accuracy has been with the 69gr SMk and the Berger 80 gr VLDs. My barrel is shooting between .2s to .6s. The barrel was chambered and threaded by Sinarms in South Dakota. Devin does nice work and his delivery time from order to shipping is very good.

Tom