H4895 and Nosler 80gr Custom Comps in .223 Bolt gun?

[Erud]

Got a .223 bolt in trade that will be mainly for my wife to play with. She does not know anything (or care) about reloading, so that job is all mine. I have lots of H4895 and 80r Nosler CC's on hand, so would like to find a good load with that combo. Will also be using new Winchester brass and Russian primers. Quick load shows 23.0 to be about max, will obviously start lower. Anyone used this combo in real life? Any info appreciated.

Thanks,
Erik

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Are you loading them long (2.5xx") or magazine length or in between. If your rifle's throat allows, I would tend to load them long.

That much length difference will have a big impact on the max load.

That bullet is very similar to the 80 grain SMK. Sierra's published data for the 80 SMK loaded to 2.550" is here:

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223rembolt.pdf

For work out to 600 yards, there is no need to push the velocity. I'd just start around 22 grains and increase the load slowly until I found an accurate spot.

 

[Erud]

Sorry, should have mentioned that. It's a single shot bolt gun, so no mag length issues to worry about. Thanks for the info!

 

[Dgd6mm]

I run a 75 grain Amax with 23.2 grains of H4895 at an oal of 2.450" in a single shot FTR rifle. My rifle has no pressure issues with this load, shoots good too for 600 yards.

What will your oal be?

 

[Erud]

Thanks Dgd. Not sure on OAL yet, will measure tomorrow afternoon. Will load some rounds at different charge weights to test next Saturday.

 

[CavReconScout]

Nosler's load data for the 80 CC is at the bottom of this link: http://www.nosler.com/nosler-load-data/223-remington/
A copy is attached. They list 21.5gr to start and 23.5gr max @ 2.360 OAL.

 

[Catfish]

If the rifle does not have at least an 1 in 8 twist I doubt that you will be ably to stabilize an 80 gr. bullet.

 

[Erud]

Thanks for that, but I fully understand how barrel twist affects bullet stability. If this barrel wasn't suitable for this bullet, I wouldn't be trying it. What I'm looking for is some input from people who have real-world experience with this particular component combo.