Accuracy in a .223 bolt gun

[tydaws]

I have a 223 built by WTO on a Rem 700 with a 12 twist 4 groove Bartlein. I shoot 55gr Nosler BTs over Benchmark in Lapua cases with CCI BR4 primers. I don't shoot a ton of paper with it anymore, but I've shot a good hand full of 5 shot groups that you could cover with a dime at 100 yds. Combo works well for me.

 

[Gary in MD]

My sporter weight 223 shoots very well with 26.0 grains of Benchmark and the 50 grain ballistic tips.

 

[markm87]

The 50-55 gr VMAX and AMAX have always been crazy accurate. I'll echo the nothing special brass prep sentiment.

 

[Killitgrillit]

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.

I have no pressure signs at 28.0grs

 

[Zero333]

Any 52 gr bullet (Berger being the best)
26.6 gr W-748
Winchester brass, flash-holes de-burred from the inside and all the other standard case prep.
205m primers.

W-748 is a very underrated powder. Most think because it's a ball powder it must be temp unstable, but this has not been an issue for me. It's ALWAYS very accurate in whatever cartridge it's useful in.

 

[COLT45SA]

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.

Excellent~! I've been told a jillion times over that a Ruger won't shoot. I'd like to make liars out of them. All I've done to the rifle so far is install a Timney trigger.
I'm looking for uour kind of results with my Mk II, and am currently starting with several brands of brass (Lapua, Norma, LC, and Frontier). I'm going a bit farther with the brass prep. From what you've found I think I'll load some LC first. I was planning to use N133 powder and a Berger 52s, 53gr. and Sierra 50s.
Thanks for sharing~!!

 

[Stormbringer]

I have found 28 grains of Benchmark, CCI 400 Primers and 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips at 2.250 OAL has worked well in multiple bolt/gas guns.

Typically .50-.20 groups at 100 yards at 3700-3900 depending upon rifle and barrel length.

Over 1000 dead varmints with that load.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

28.0 of 748 and a 50 gr Ballistic tip will shoot little bitty groups. Or 27.0 of H-335 and a moly Ballistic tip.
Many a Wyoming PD has gone to Doggy heaven with those loads! A few here in Colorado also!

 

[hoz53]

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~?

yeah me to- 223 bolt gun——— 55 berger target bullet and benchmark

 

[LVLAaron]

3x 5 shot groups from my favorite AR I built. Lapua brass, Varget, cci450, SMK80g

 

[Dolomite]

3x 5 shot groups from my favorite AR I built. Lapua brass, Varget, cci450, SMK80g


View attachment 1534862View attachment 1534863View attachment 1534864

nice shooting!!

 

[COLT45SA]

I'm glad that I specified "Bolt gun" and "1:12" twist in my post. Otherwise I be getting responses from guys shooting ARs with fast twist barrels shooting heavy bullets~!!!!!!!!

 

[searcher]

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.

I start off with a large amount of Lake City brass, then sort into perhaps three weight groups and turn the necks. I don't normally level the primer pockets or mess with reaming flash holes on much of my brass - but all of these procedures combined do make a decent improvement on Lake City brass that allow it to contend with brass costing far more. I use a lot of those Remington 7 1/2 primers - very underrated in my opinion.