Help with Downloading.22 Hornet and .223 Remington

[drover]

OP - go to 24hourvampfire.com and search out poster that goes by seafire - he has lots of data on downloading the 223. I tried a few of suggestions and they worked well.

Just a caution - when downloading be sure to not double charge, visually check after charging

drover

 

[JSH]

I shot 222 with a 40 grain Sierra Hornet bullet (224). I used cases that were fired multiple times full power, then only neck sized. I used 4-5 grains of Unique and a standard primer. Wicked accuracy to 50 yards (all the farther i put it on paper. I went lower and finally stuck a bullet at 2 grains (24 inch barrel). It came right out with a few taps from a solid brass rod. I wouldn't worry too much if you stay above 3.5 grains.

I found it to be like shooting an accurate 22 mag. Point being accurate.

I have also shot the 5 grain load from a 220 Swift with a dacron filler. (just enough to hold the powder on the primer. Hard on cleaning but one hole at 35 yards. I also shot 13 grains of 4227 behind a 40 Vmax bullet in the Swift. Solid 200 yard groundhog round, better than a hornet by far.

Find Unique...even if you order online. It isn't rare, just Unique. (sorry, had to)

What kind of speed were you getting with that swift load? That could make me shoot mine more.

 

[snert]

What kind of speed were you getting with that swift load? That could make me shoot mine more.

I never ran it over a chrono so I do not know. It was in the hornet area I think, given the drops.

 

[Dimner]

Personally I would never use a filler with unique. fillers and pistol powder can go bad real fast and damage chambers. Cast bullet shooters have alot of experience with this sorta thing.

Anyway, might be fine for that swift load, but just wanted to chime in with the beware info.

 

[Lefty2506]

For my 223, I use a 40 or 50gr vmax over a charge of Green Dot. In load development, I've gone down to 6 gr and up to 9 gr. I've reworked this load for several rifles and I've always ween able to get groups well under MOA.

I'm currently running 7 gr with a 40gr vmax and it runs around 2,000 fps out of my 26" barrel (will be faster from shorter barrels). I use this on ground hogs and coons in the back yard, and on prairie dogs out to 200 yds. It starts dropping a lot pat 150 yds, and accuracy falls off much past 200. I can shoot all day without getting a heavy barrel more than warm.