If You Were Reloading 223 For First Time w/New Gun...

[Phil3]

I have my new Howa 223 barreled action in a Bell & Carslon stock and need to load some ammo for it. Before I go off half-cocked and use some components that perhaps don't work so well together, I would like some input on what might work best...with components I have. Your experience welcome.

Barrel is 1:12" twist. Shooting at 100 yards.

I have available:

52 grain Berger 52 flat base.
52 grain Hornady A-Max boat tail.
52 grain Sierra MatchKing 52 boat tail.
53 grain - Sierra MatchKing flat base.
55 grain Berger flat base.
69 grain Hornady A-Max boat tail.
69 grain Sierra MatchKing boat tail.

Vhitavouri N133
Hodgdon H322
Hodgdon Varget
Alliant Reloder 15

Remington 7-1/2 primers
Lapua blue box brass

I don't think I will be trying the 69 grain bullets in this rifle. Twist is too slow.

Thanks.

Phil

 

[Jeff A]

This is easy. All those 52-53 trainers should do well N133 is amazing. QuickLOAD is an amazing program you might consider.

Call me.

 

[SS427]

I would start with the 53 gr SMK bullets and the N133 powder. But by the time I was done I would have tried all the powders and all the bullets other than the 69 grain ones.

 

[timeout]

Don't sell a hot load of H322 short in the 223.

 

[pikespeakgoat]

Another vote for the flat bases with N133

 

[K22]

I have had tremendous success with Varget and 50 to 55 grain bullets. I own seven 223's of various makes and model, all with 12" twist and all of them shot this combo extremely well in the 1/2 to sub 1/2 moa range. However I used Federal 205 match primers but I don't see why Remington 7 1/2 wouldn't work also.

 

[mattri]

I'd go with Varget as well. You may eventually have better luck with another powder down the road but to start off with you really can't go wrong with Varget and 50's.

 

[Luke_NL]

Just to make up the numbers; Flatbase bullets and the VV N133. Great powder. I have shot Sierra flat based bullets with both an open tip (varminters?) and currently load 50 gr. FB sierra's with a soft point (Blitz?) for my 1:9 twist AR. Settled on that bullet as I could buy them in large quantities together with a friend who shoots a 1:12 twist bolt action 223: both rifles like this bullet.

Am actually out shopping today to get my hands on some N133. Availability has been poor here of late, and between them selling off the factory and the recent fire, I'm not convinced it will get better in the near future.

 

[kyreloader]

Another vote for 53g flat base bullets and N133.

 

[chevytruck_83]

if u have a good barrel just about any combination should work. I haven't had much luck with the r-15 in that range though.

 

[amlevin]

Like one of the BR Shooters told me one day (one with a lot of records and trophies), stick with the 52 gr match bullets and you won't go wrong. They are usually plentiful, fairly inexpensive, and if hunting prairie dogs, they won't notice that they're "Match Bullets".

The 1:12 twist kind of limits you on bullet weight for .223. As for powder? VV powders are great. So are the Hodgdon Extremes. Varget seems to be an all around favorite for many due to it's consistency over wide temp ranges. Now if we could just get some of it 8) Right now I'm using 28 gr of CFE223 with Sierra 52 gr in my Remington with 1:9 barrel. Works great and "what copper"?

 

[GPat]

Another vote for Varget and any of the 50-55 grain bullets.

In my experience the Rem 7 1/2 is a perfect match in the 223 with Varget. What I've tried with 133 only shot well with a Federal 205 or 205M. You might as well try just about every combination you can though. Every rifle is different. With the 223, 50-ish bullets and Varget you just about can't get too much powder in there.

 

[gotcha]

What shoots best in my rifle may not shoot best in yours. However, the range of powders & bullets that will produce acceptable results in a .223 bolt gun is amazing. One of the reasons its soooo popular. Play close attention to seating depth.

 

[mac86951]

I'd recommend a 52gr bullet and the H322 to use for "break-in" and for your practice. Test yourself to develop a good load with which ever bullet you have the least of, and save enough quantity to do some good group testing too. That should allow you a chance to practice with your rifle. As always, pressure test first, and if you do that via ladder, or groups you might find a smaller range of powder to start working with.

Then try N133 and work-up a good load. H322 and N133 both perform very well, I find N133 to be more consistent on a given day, and H322 more consistent across huge weather changes. Try a few 69grs, they just might work, but don't bet the farm on the first 10 rounds...

-Mac

PS measure the jump to lands if you have the tools...

 

[XTR]

If you are shooting shorter distances something to consider is that you may not need to scale your loads. I load for my service rifle with my Dillon throw. I use Accurate 2230, it's supposed to be a bit to fast for the heavy bullets I'm shooting but I get great results. Accurate 2520 would probably have been a better choice for me but I got what was available at the time. In any case 2230 will give you better velocity than Varget with the light bullets.

Of the powders recommended here you have a range from H322 which is about the fastest and Varget at about the slowest. With the light bullets I'd lean toward a little faster powder, and I'm really fond of how fast and easy it is to make bullets using the powder throw instead of a scale. (I check about 1 in 10 and have never seen more than +.1 and I don't recall ever seeing a light one.

 

[Phil3]

Thanks for this information. I don't have a powder thrower, but use the RCBS 1500 Chargemaster, which weighs and dispenses. It is fast enough for me, but have never used a powder throw device, so maybe don't know what I am missing.

Phil

 

[mac86951]

H335, or BL(c)2 are great for throws, and work very well for 223.

-Mac

 

[amlevin]

If you are shooting shorter distances something to consider is that you may not need to scale your loads. I load for my service rifle with my Dillon throw. I use Accurate 2230, it's supposed to be a bit to fast for the heavy bullets I'm shooting but I get great results. Accurate 2520 would probably have been a better choice for me but I got what was available at the time. In any case 2230 will give you better velocity than Varget with the light bullets.

Of the powders recommended here you have a range from H322 which is about the fastest and Varget at about the slowest. With the light bullets I'd lean toward a little faster powder, and I'm really fond of how fast and easy it is to make bullets using the powder throw instead of a scale. (I check about 1 in 10 and have never seen more than +.1 and I don't recall ever seeing a light one.

I too load for my AR's using a Dillon powder measure. I've found that the AA2230 meters very well but CFE223 makes the 2230 look like rice grains when it comes to accurate metering. I checked 50 straight loads on my XL 650 using the CFE223 and found all but one dead on the desired weight.

I also get faster speeds with the CFE223 than I do from AA2230.

Also like the CFE223 over 2230 as it works well in my .308 with 175 gr bullets.

Did I mention almost no copper fouling. Yes, what they say about CFE223's true.

 

[mac86951]

Shhh quiet! Don't mention CFE223, I'm trying to keep it to myself...
See what happened to the A-max when shooters found it?

-Mac

 

[searcher]

You have just about everything I'd want to shoot out of my .223's! Good stuff. I's focus on using the Varget, the Berger 52's and start your bullet about .008" off the lands to start. (Not familiar if your rifle has a box magazine). Ladder your load in 2/10th grain increments from starting load and I'd bet you'd find a great load the first time out. If that didn't get you going - you sure have the right stuff to make it happen. have fun!