.223Rem: Heavy Bullet Load Questions

[Bully]

I have a 7twist barrel on the way from Rock Creek and will be spinning it onto a trued up R700. I'm thinking of running it at 22-24". I will be using the rifle for general all around fun but am really hoping to do well with it in a match at 300yards. I want to (obviously) run heavier bullets but am not sure on loads.

I'm betwixt and between the 80.5 FullBore, the 80 ELD-M, and the 80TMK. I have a couple of powders on hand but am not sure that they are optimal for the bullets listed. I have 3 1/2lbs of CFE223 and about double that of Varget. It would be great to use them up but I will certainly look at other powders if that's what's necessary.

Thanks to all that can help.

 

[LitLBoy]

Varget and 80.5

 

[Tireguy]

I would work up a load with the Berger 80.5, Varget and use BR-4 primers with Varget. Play with the charge and seating depth and when they come together, I believe you will like the results.

80.5's have shot best in my SR, MR and LR guns.

Jon

 

[Bully]

Varget and 80.5

Any more details? Did you load to mag length or are you shooting single shot? What kind of results did you get?

 

[USMCDOC]

75 ELD-Ms and H4895

 

[Deleted old_dood]

disregard 4th from left which was sighting in a 6br after bedding. Range 200 yds. the two on left were fireforming to 223ai using 25.5 CFE, 75g ELD jammed, with zero load development. 3rd, 5th, and 6th are my standard 223ai load of 80SMK over 25.5 Varget, CCI 450 primers, jumped about .020". Savage LRPV, Shilen 7 twist, shot off a bipod.

 

[CharlieNC]

Only your barrel can tell you which bullet it prefers. A number of us are running 80.5 over 26.0gr of CFE223 for Fclass for good scores.

 

[LitLBoy]

Just know that's what the guy that kicks my ass regularly shoots.

 

[bullseyeshtr]

In my rock river NM AR, I'm using 80gr berger VLD with 23.0grs IMR 4895, winchester brass, remington 7 1/2 primers and 10thou off the lands. This is my load for XTC 600yds.

 

[chkunz]

My Son and I did load development for a AR 223 match rifle for shooting the National Match Course (200/300/600 yards). We were using a 1 in 8 twist, 26 inch barrel and also a 20 inch barrel. If you think our data would be helpful in your application send me an email at chkunz@bellsouth.net and I will send you a copy of the report.

 

[liseo]

Only your barrel can tell you which bullet it prefers. A number of us are running 80.5 over 26.0gr of CFE223 for Fclass for good scores.

Hi Charlie

What velocity and barrel length?

I dont had good luck with 80,5 grains FB in my 223 1/8 tw Krieger barrel.

Now running then in 1/9 tw Krieger and 24,5 grains Varget they are grouping a lot better. Probably the stability is marginal, but as they say: Let the barrel tell what he prefers.

This is my load for 300 m Fclass .

 

[CharlieNC]

Hi Charlie

What velocity and barrel length?

I dont had good luck with 80,5 grains FB in my 223 1/8 tw Krieger barrel.

Now running then in 1/9 tw Krieger and 24,5 grains Varget they are grouping a lot better. Probably the stability is marginal, but as they say: Let the barrel tell what he prefers.

This is my load for 300 m Fclass .

In 26in 8 twist the velocity is right at 3000fps. In a different rifle I used 25gr Varget and 69SMK for decent, but not as good results. Just from memory by Quickload the CFE is a lower pressure vs velocity powder, meters well, and most importantly shoots well for our group of Ftr shooters.

 

[Huckleberry75]

My 7tw 223ai shoots the 80.5 berger over 8208xbr, extremely well. Was getting honest 1/4 moa groups during fire forming with 24.0gns, LC Brass and F205m. Also did an admirable job on a mangy coyote, who showed up at the wrong time and place.

 

[Bully]

Thanks all for your help. I'm glad to hear that my powders on hand will work for the bullet I'm hoping to use.

 

[Longtrain]

Varget and 80.5

24.4 Varget, Wolf SRM primers, jumping the 80.5's IIRC 20 Thous. Shoots very, very well.

 

[Bully]

Y'all are making me a happy guy.