53g Vmax load data suggestions for .223 26" 1/9 twist

[AckleymanII]

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!

+1

"Rocking a steel spinner at 500 with authority using the 53s from a 223. H335 and 26.0 grains powder in a 9 twist 26" bolt barrel."

 

[Larryh128]

do you guys always use benchrest primers? I have been using regular federal 205

I don't, most of the time I run CCI 400 unless I'm looking for extreme accuracy, then I'll use benchrest primers.

 

[68cuda340]

Another vote for Benchmark - I am running Hodgdon's max load in Lapua brass with 205m primers.

Another + for BenchMark Using it for years. My factory Rem 5R 1-9 twist 26" barrel 53gr Vmax 25.5gr Benchmark Rem 7 1/2 primer 1/4 to 1/2 groups all day long off the bench and red mist in the PD fields! I followed the Nosler reloading data and it is a good one The only more accurate bullet in this rifle is the 52gr Sierra but more for target shooting purposes and to impress friends....

 

[AckleymanII]

52g Sierra's are great on coyotes.

 

[284winner]

Just got back from my 500 yard range shooting several guns. One being the 223 with 53 Vmax loads. Getting 3390 with 26.2 grains of H335. Not a hot load but shoots very well. One hole at 100 yards literally. 9 twist barrel. 69 smks also shoot well but not as well. The lighter Vmax has about the identical BC. Just pushes it a couple hundred fps faster. Very explosive out to 250-275 on critters fairly small. Shot a coyote with it this winter(280 yds) and no exit. Made goolash out of his insides tho.

 

[MrMajestic]

Don't rule out H-322, my .223 loves it with Bart's 52's.

 

[NCVarhtr]

H 335 is a great powder in the .223 but it is very temperature sensitive. Benchmark and IMR 8208 XBR provide me with the same level of accuracy and the same velocity. The 53 Gr v-Max has a very high BC for that bullet weight --thus retains its velocity (energy) out further. I have shot steel with the 53 Gr V-Max out to 500 yds. and it hits pretty for that weight bullet.

 

[benchracer]

The 223 with a 1-9 twist is great with both
The 22-250 with a 1-12 twist is also great with both.

The .223 with IMR8208, 53 V-Max, Lake city brass, CCI450 Primers is awesome. The 53's are best in a 1-9 twist.

The effective range for the 53's 400+ easily.
!

This is consistent with my experience. The listed component combination is identical to what worked best for me from a 9 twist MVP. IMR 8208 was the most accurate and consistent of the powders I tried, with a muzzle velocity of 3200.

CFE 223 also worked well @ 3230, but had a bit more vertical than 8208.

Incidentally, 8208 and 53 VMAX's also work very well in my 12 twist 22-250 @ 3850ish. I have taken prairie dogs out to 600 yards with this combination and scared the heck out of a few at 700+ yards.

 

[wkdickinson]

What are you guys using for 53g Vmax in .223. I hear they are the best all around Vmax for .223. I planned on starting with H335. Hows the superformance powder? I plan on Coyote hunting January and February and I need a good round to reach out far if needed. Want good velocity too. Thanks!

I shoot 50gr Vmax with 26.0gr of H335 w/BR4 primers in my Colt AR. It has the original Colt 24" 1:9 twist barrel. I have not chrono them, but they shoot .5 MOA, 5-shot groups at 200 yds.

 

[lb-ft]

3302 FPS, superb accuracy from my 26” 700 SPS with 53 vmax and CFE223. No problem w/head shots in moderate windy conditions, 2/3 IPSC steel, 500 yards.

 

[284winner]

H 335 is a great powder in the .223 but it is very temperature sensitive. Benchmark and IMR 8208 XBR provide me with the same level of accuracy and the same velocity. The 53 Gr v-Max has a very high BC for that bullet weight --thus retains its velocity (energy) out further. I have shot steel with the 53 Gr V-Max out to 500 yds. and it hits pretty for that weight bullet.

Man I never thought to check out the temp sensitivity of the H335 powder. I coyote hunt in cold weather with it and use it in summer months also but never have noticed a change in accuracy. I guess I never did any paper target shooting in extreme cold but seemed to kills every coyote very dead where I put the crosshairs. Some at nearly 500 yards out. Now of course I'll be thinking about that on my cold weather hunts. I'll try out some of the benchmark powder this year. If it proves to be accurate, I'll switch over

 

[Reloading Guy]

~26 grains, 2.260 OAL Accurate 2230 is going to yield probably top tier results you seek. Its going to smoke H335 for sure. This is over book. Try Sierra Load manual for BlitzKings instead. Hornady load manual is a joke. Probably max is like 23.5. That is absurd.

 

[BradY]

55gr Sierra game king soft point 27gr 8208 lapua cases fed gold medal primers. 3400fps and holds kangaroo head out to 250yds not a problem. Before some keyboard warrior says that’s hot, I have a dozen loads on the case, primer pockets still firm, no sticky bolt and primers still have rounded edges. Rifle is a tikka T3 1:8 twist varmint.

 

[BobbyJ]

Rocking a steel spinner at 500 with authority using the 53s from a 223. H335 and 26.0 grains powder in a 9 twist 26" bolt barrel.

What COL do you use with that? I have a 1/9 24" 223 and was looking at powders to use with the 53gr. TAC, X-Terminator, IMR 3031 CFE 223.
You getting around 3400 fps with that load?

 

[284winner]

What COL do you use with that? I have a 1/9 24" 223 and was looking at powders to use with the 53gr. TAC, X-Terminator, IMR 3031 CFE 223.
You getting around 3400 fps with that load?

2.265 and 3500 comes to mind. My barrel is 26". The load is not hot and the OAL did not matter when I did my load work. I think 2.245-2.275 we're all very accurate. My AR needs 2.260 for best accuracy.