Accuracy in a .223 bolt gun

[COLT45SA]

I'd like to know what's the most accurate cartridge (manufacturer), powder, and bullet combination you have ever seen, owned, or shot from a bolt gun with a 1:12 twist barrel.
How extensive was the brass prep~?

 

[Rocketvapor]

I guess you are asking about Short Range accuracy.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Clarence Hammonds built me a R700 in 223. Hart 1-12 barrel, old Rem trigger with a little work . Bedded in a bishop 40x type stock. Sierra 52 BTHP, 2015 powder and CCi 400 primers. Got one of those Bushnell 4000? 6-24 scopes. Using range pickup LC( 4 different years and a WCC) from AMU shooters. Sized, primer pocket uniformed, flash hole reamed, trimmed to max length, it shoots consistent 3/8ths, assuming I do my part. Buddy gave me some once fired Lapua cases. Said try them. With the Lapua, it goes 3/16ths. No load workup of any type. Just studied a couple manuals an came up with a mid range starting load. It's a PD gun. Saw no need to waste barrel life trying to improve! Reamer was a zero freebore with minimum SAMMI specs.
Luck? Maybe, but following good known practices and using good components and proper powders and bullets, it's hard to go astray. I don't try to re-invent a known good thing.

Frank

 

[S Miller]

This is an old match report with a .223 in a land of ppc’s. I was beaten many times with that combo. I think it was a 12twist may have been 14.

 

[Frankm]

Many moons ago used to see a lot of shooters claim a 52 or 53 grain match bullet over H322 was a “good Un” !!

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I occasionally shoot short range, 500/600yds, FTR with my Tikka actioned 223, Truflite 1-8 barrel, GRS Bifrost stock, JoyPod.

I have been using Lapua brass, Varget and 75g Hornady A-Max, with reasonable success. 223 is finicky on primers - until the "shortages" , I was using Federal Gold Match or CCI BR-4. Now - who knows? I haven't seen a CCI packet around for ages.

I'm about to start testing with Lake City Brass, one of the local shooters is having some success with it - and at the price, it has to be worth a try - but I will sort it. Also working up loads with ADI2206H (H-4895), Staball Match and Remington 7 1/2 primers and Berger pills.

It's not a hard cartridge to load for - normal brass prep - clean, anneal, size, mandrel etc I never trim, as the primer pocket usually lets go well before a trim is needed.

 

[Turkeytider]

I don`t hand load, but I would suggest anyone that does and shoots a gun with 7-9 twists try a SMK 69 grain bullet. Might be too heavy for a 1:12 (? ).

 

[ShtrRdy]

Clarence Hammonds built me a R700 in 223. Hart 1-12 barrel, old Rem trigger with a little work . Bedded in a bishop 40x type stock. Sierra 52 BTHP, 2015 powder and CCi 400 primers. Got one of those Bushnell 4000? 6-24 scopes. Using range pickup LC( 4 different years and a WCC) from AMU shooters. Sized, primer pocket uniformed, flash hole reamed, trimmed to max length, it shoots consistent 3/8ths, assuming I do my part. Buddy gave me some once fired Lapua cases. Said try them. With the Lapua, it goes 3/16ths. No load workup of any type. Just studied a couple manuals an came up with a mid range starting load. It's a PD gun. Saw no need to waste barrel life trying to improve! Reamer was a zero freebore with minimum SAMMI specs.
Luck? Maybe, but following good known practices and using good components and proper powders and bullets, it's hard to go astray. I don't try to re-invent a known good thing.

Frank

What do you mean by "2015 powder"?

 

[boltfluter]

What do you mean by "2015 powder"?

I would assume Accurate Arms 2015 or AA2015 as is normal terminology.
Paul

 

[K22]

I have a lot of experience with 12" twist 223 Rem bolt rifles. This has been my caliber and twist rate of choice for both varmint and predator hunting for the last 25 years or so. I should also note that due to terrain restrictions and my ability to make humane shots off cross sticks in the field, all my shooting is limited to 300 yards and under. Since 1999 when I began full scale  varmint and predator hunting aided by retirement, I have taken 1,978 ground hogs and over 100 predators the vast majority with the 223 Rem, 12" twist rifles.

Keep in mind that every rifle can be different and what works in one will not necessarily work in another rifle.

There are several powders and bullets that have produced varmint grade accuracy (my definition = 1/2 to 5/8") moa in many of my 12" twist rifles.

Powders that gave me the best results are: Varget, IMR / H 4895, Benchmark, and H335. (I stop using ball powder several years ago due to temperature affects in the field)
Bullets: Nosler 50 and 55 BTs gave me the most consistent results.
Primers: I tried CCI, Remington 7 1/2 and Federal 205M. While I haven't done a lot of testing, I have settled on Federal for the last 20 years or so.
Cases: I have used Remington, Winchester, Hornady. They are adequate but not great. Careful case prep can help.

Special Note on Components: I have NOT tested every suitable powder, bullets, primer, etc. combination for the 223 Rem. I am sure there are others that will produce excellent results also. Once I hit my accuracy standard, I am done with load development and testing - I hate it - It's a necessary burden but essential - I'd rather be shooting and hunting.

My two most accurate (group wise) rifles are a Remington 700, 26" Douglas match heavy varmint barrel in a McMillian aluminum bedding block stock and a Weatherby Super Varmint Master out of the box. Both rifles are capable of sub 1/2 moa groups with tuned reloads IF I do my part. Others such as the out of the box Browning A Bolt Varmint Stalker, Browning X bolt, Remington 7's with Douglas barrels and B&C aftermarket stocks are all capable of varmint grade accuracy.

Case Prep. I consider it essential to dedicate a group of cases to each rifle; rotate their use and I am meticulous about sizing using a bump gauge and caliper to produce optimum sizing. I use standard RCBS F/L dies and full size only. I do not turn necks or anneal. I usually get 15 to 18 reloads before necks begin to split. I never seat the bullets closer than .015 to .010" to the lands, most are .020 to .030 depending on the magazine requirements.

General Comment: I try to keep the reloading process as simple as possible but also consistent in approach. My emphasis is order of priority are safety, reliability and accuracy. (Edited in - forgot to mention rifle bedding - I consider having adequate bedding essential to the pursuit of varmint grade accuracy)

Note: I have not discussed my outstanding Tikka's since they 8" twist.

 

[DGP4]

In my Reminton 700 SPS with a 1:12 twist, the most accurate load so far is 52 grain Sper Match bullets over 23.5 grains of Ramshot TAC. 52 grain Hornady Match bullets shoot almost as good.

 

[rebs]

I have a lot of experience with 12" twist 223 Rem bolt rifles. This has been my caliber and twist rate of choice for both varmint and predator hunting for the last 25 years or so. I should also note that due to terrain restrictions and my ability to make humane shots off cross sticks in the field, all my shooting is limited to 300 yards and under. Since 1999 when I began full scale  varmint and predator hunting aided by retirement, I have taken 1,978 ground hogs and over 100 predators the vast majority with the 223 Rem, 12" twist rifles.

Keep in mind that every rifle can be different and what works in one will not necessarily work in another rifle.

There are several powders and bullets that have produced varmint grade accuracy (my definition = 1/2 to 5/8") moa in many of my 12" twist rifles.

Powders that gave me the best results are: Varget, IMR / H 4895, Benchmark, and H335. (I stop using ball powder several years ago due to temperature affects in the field)
Bullets: Nosler 50 and 55 BTs gave me the most consistent results.
Primers: I tried CCI, Remington 7 1/2 and Federal 205M. While I haven't done a lot of testing, I have settled on Federal for the last 20 years or so.
Cases: I have used Remington, Winchester, Hornady. They are adequate but not great. Careful case prep can help.

Special Note on Components: I have NOT tested every suitable powder, bullets, primer, etc. combination for the 223 Rem. I am sure there are others that will produce excellent results also. Once I hit my accuracy standard, I am done with load development and testing - I hate it - It's a necessary burden but essential - I'd rather be shooting and hunting.

My two most accurate (group wise) rifles are a Remington 700, 26" Douglas match heavy varmint barrel in a McMillian aluminum bedding block stock and a Weatherby Super Varmint Master out of the box. Both rifles are capable of sub 1/2 moa groups with tuned reloads IF I do my part. Others such as the out of the box Browning A Bolt Varmint Stalker, Browning X bolt, Remington 7's with Douglas barrels and B&C aftermarket stocks are all capable of varmint grade accuracy.

Case Prep. I consider it essential to dedicate a group of cases to each rifle; rotate their use and I am meticulous about sizing using a bump gauge and caliper to produce optimum sizing. I use standard RCBS F/L dies and full size only. I do not turn necks or anneal. I usually get 15 to 18 reloads before necks begin to split. I never seat the bullets closer than .015 to .010" to the lands, most are .020 to .030 depending on the magazine requirements.

General Comment: I try to keep the reloading process as simple as possible but also consistent in approach. My emphasis is order of priority are safety, reliability and accuracy. (Edited in - forgot to mention rifle bedding - I consider having adequate bedding essential to the pursuit of varmint grade accuracy)

Note: I have not discussed my outstanding Tikka's since they 8" twist.

How many rounds do you get in your Tikka's before the loose accuracy ?

 

[K22]

How many rounds do you get in your Tikka's before the loose accuracy ?

I have 500 to 900 rounds through 3, 223 Rem and there has been no change that I can detect.

I am using 60 Vmax's with H4895 and Varget.

 

[Killitgrillit]

remington model 7 predator, FC brass, bump shoulders .002, trim to standard length. 28.0gr benchmark powder, win small rifle. 40gr nosler Armageddon = one hole groups at 100yds.
This is noslers published most accurate load for benchmark. When I shot the first 3shot group at 100yds I thought I missed the 2nd and 3rd shot is was so tight.. If I get fur in the crosshairs it's dead!!!!!

 

[K22]

remington model 7 predator, FC brass, bump shoulders .002, trim to standard length. 28.0gr benchmark powder, win small rifle. 40gr nosler Armageddon = one hole groups at 100yds.
This is noslers published most accurate load for benchmark. When I shot the first 3shot group at 100yds I thought I missed the 2nd and 3rd shot is was so tight.. If I get fur in the crosshairs it's dead!!!!!

Have you had any problems with pressure with Benchmark? It seemed very sensitive to slight changes of powder charges.

I tried it years ago with 50 Nosler BT bullets and it shot very well but I had to keep the powder charge at the low end of their data, i.e., 24 grains. Even the mid-range load in the Nosler manual produced pressure signs, i.e., hard bolt lift.

I wouldn't hesitate at all going back to Benchmark if I had to since it shot very well, just curious if you encountered any pressure issues.

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Boltfluter, thanks for the clarification on 2015, had a work day at the range, just got home. Yes Accurate Arms 2015, in my case working off a very old 8 lb'er. Current production probably made in a different facility!

Frank

 

[WVRJ]

My most accurate 223 bolt gun is a 9 twist but I'll throw it in just for fun. It has a 26 inch Shilen Match barrel turned to factory varmint contour. The action is blueprinted and the headspace is set up very tight. The trigger is a 2 ounce Shilen.I reworked a B&C Medalist stock and bedded it with Devcon using a stress free method that I've found to be very consistent. I flattened the forend to be parallel to the bore with a decent bag rider at the rear. The forend is a good fit in my SEB NEO rest.I have a 12-42 Nightforce in Weaver rings for an optic. It shoots several bullets well, but the 73 grain Bergers are the best I've found so far. With 24 grains of IMR8208XBR it's only turning 2850 but the accuracy is by far better than any other 223 I've ever shot. The best 5 shot 100 yard group I've shot with it is 0.103. That was done with much tuned Remington brass and CCI450 primers. If I want more velocity I go to Varget and the 69 grain Sierra TMK which will give up a little bit of accuracy for an extra 200 FPS velocity and a little better BC. I have shot numerous 1,000 yard groups with the TMK that have 5 shots in 6 or 7 inches as long as the wind is not too high. The 223 will shoot, but there are so many different combinations that will work that we tend to spend too much time chasing loads and not enough time in the scope.

 

[grovey]

I had a 700BDL that shot the 55gr Berger in the .2's @100yds . Brass was weight sorted, and neck turned only. Dies were regular RCBS FL set. The expander ball was polished.

 

[Dfish1247]

This is a 5 shot group from my stolle panda. 1:12 heavy brux barrel, 2oz jewel trigger. Old Lyman all American press, Lee dies.

55gr Berger target, aa2520, cci 400 or winchester primer, starline brass that’s sized, trimmed, flash hole de burred. I won’t mention the dingaling who jerked the one shot.

 

[JB10]

Ruger m77 mk2 varmint/target model. 50gr nosler bt varmint with w748. Will do this all day long. Brass prep... nope. LC brass with normal preparation, nothing fancy.