Load development help, factory 700 in 223

[Leiboy]

Morning all, need some input on load development for my 223. Using new Lapua brass, 55gr BlitzKings, CCI br primers and xbr 8208.

Last weekend I worked up my powder charge, and looks like the middle of the node is 24.5gr 8208.


So this weekend I loaded some rounds at 24.5gr of 8208, different lengths and these were the best ones.
1.885 cbto


1.875 cbto


Lands are at 1.891cbto, so I started at 1.890 and went down to 1.870 cbto which was almost saami oal. I was confident in all my shots, but I did not sort these bullets. Would sorting bullets make much of a difference you think? What would you do from here?

I'm looking for a good go to prairie dog load, something I can load 500 rounds at a time.

Using Redding premium deluxe dies.

Thanks in advance!

 

['Freak]

Bed that thang such that bolting the barreled action into the stock leaves the receiver completely stress free, and so there's nutin but receiver touching barrel.

 

[Homerange]

You don't mention your case prep ???

The vertical spread is more than I'd want to see.

Edit
My best results for 223 are with fireformed and neck sized cases and with good basic case prep including internal flash hole chamfering that produce groups like your .808 without fliers. ADI 2207 and Nosler 50gr BT. Rem Mod 7, suppressed.

 

[earlcurtis67]

Try a 450 magnum primer. You may have to adjust the charge weight a little. They made a noticable difference in my groups. My load is close to you'res except w 69MKs. E

 

[MrMajestic]

How many rounds down the tube?

 

[joshb]

Ditto on the round count. My Rem. 223 shot about 200 rounds before it settled in and started to shoot well.

 

[K22]

The best results I've had with my seven 223's from sporter weight to heavy varmint is with Nosler 50 and 55 BTs, H4895 and Federal 205 match primers. All my rifles have 12" twists. I seat approx. .010 to .020 off the lands.

Cases are full sized with a .001 to .002" shoulder bump (slight cam over).

Other powders I've tried are Varget, Benchmark and H335. Varget and H335 also worked well in all my rifles. Some liked Benchmark, other didn't. I experience some changes in POI with H335 from summer to winter or in the very hot days hunting ghogs. For me, Varget (55 grain bullets) and H4895 proved to be the most consistent in all rifles.

My heavy varmints rifles shoot in the .25 to .50 moa range, one has a Douglas match 26" barrel. My sporter weights shoot in the .50 to .75 range two of which I rebarreled with Douglas No. 2 contour, 20" barrels. Why I have some factory rifles that shot in the .50 range most wouldn't no matter how much load development I tried.

The first thing I'd do is consider the bedding and free floating the barrel. This improved the accuracy of all the rifles where I had the action bedded or purchased a stock with a bedding block. Also free floating the barrel improved accuracy.

 

[Leiboy]

Went to stopp429's house tonight and we floated the barrel and bedded the action. I had no idea Remington used Boyd's thumbhole stocks... Ended up taking about 1/8" off the front end of the stock. I didn't think it was that bad...

So, with that huge pressure point eliminated, and action bedded nice and snug, do you think I'll have to do an ocw test again? I think I will, just to make sure.

As far as round count, I'm not too sure. Probably around 400. I've had it for a decade, just always was into my 22_250s for the aerials on p dogs.

As far as case prep, it was brand new Lapua match 223. Chamfered necks, Ran it all through my Redding FL die, then tumbled to get all case lube off, then loaded them.

If I still can't get it to shoot after this bedding compound curves I'll try a different primer.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Homerange]

Went to stopp429's house tonight and we floated the barrel and bedded the action. I had no idea Remington used Boyd's thumbhole stocks... Ended up taking about 1/8" off the front end of the stock. I didn't think it was that bad...

So, with that huge pressure point eliminated, and action bedded nice and snug, do you think I'll have to do an ocw test again? I think I will, just to make sure.

You will need to.
Not sure about your Rem but floating a Model 7 is generally not recommended and I've not floated either my 223 or 6mm. Online documentation I found indicated that the swelling in the barrel groove that Remington used placed ~7lbs on forend pressure on the pencil thin barrels in Model 7's. Even with this swelling some shoot surprisingly well. A buddy that worked for the Rem importer here in NZ found one that was much better than average, did some load development on it and shot 2nd in the NZ Nats, sporting rifle. Mod 7 223, 18" barrel.

 

[K22]

You will need to.
Not sure about your Rem but floating a Model 7 is generally not recommended and I've not floated either my 223 or 6mm. Online documentation I found indicated that the swelling in the barrel groove that Remington used placed ~7lbs on forend pressure on the pencil thin barrels in Model 7's. Even with this swelling some shoot surprisingly well. A buddy that worked for the Rem importer here in NZ found one that was much better than average, did some load development on it and shot 2nd in the NZ Nats, sporting rifle. Mod 7 223, 18" barrel.

This may be true but it is not what I've experienced with the Model 7. I have three, two 223's and one 243. Even before I rebarreled with a No. 2 contour (one contour heavier than the orginal factory) all mine shot better once that front nub at the end of the stock was removed and the barrel free floated.

 

[Homerange]

This may be true but it is not what I've experienced with the Model 7. I have three, two 223's and one 243. Even before I rebarreled with a No. 2 contour (one contour heavier than the orginal factory) all mine shot better once that front nub at the end of the stock was removed and the barrel free floated.

Good to know, thanks.
I've got one in 6mm Rem that when I got it (used) it had been bedded and didn't group well at all. The previous owner had placed a packer where the nub had been and attempted to recrown it too of which he or someone had made a mess of. When I had it in the lathe to do so I threaded it for a can too but thus far I haven't found a recipe it really likes.
A work in progress.......

 

[Shynloco]

Leiboy,
Just for fun (or to test), change your powder to VVN140 (24.3 - 24.6 grs) if you have any. Leave everything else the same. I did that with a factory 700 (with no alterations) and that rifle suddenly shot some amazing groups. Worth a try if nothing else.

Alex

 

[Brians356]

The first rifle I ever reloaded for was a 700 VS with the HS stock (aluminum bedding block, free floated) in 223. I shot 1/3 inch groups or better routinely with 53 SMKs and H335, then later 40 BTs and H322. WW case, 7-1/2 primers. After nearly 20 years, I'm starting fresh with 50-gr TNT, BR-4, and CFE 223 in RWS cases.
-

 

[Homerange]

The first rifle I ever reloaded for was a 700 VS with the HS stock (aluminum bedding block, free floated) in 223. I shot 1/3 inch groups or better routinely with 52 MKs and H335, then later 40 BTs and H322. WW case, 7-1/2 primers. After nearly 20 years, I'm starting fresh with 50-gr TNT, BR-4, and CFE 223 in RWS cases.
-

Give some 50gr Nosler BT's a go.

 

[Steve Ladino]

4198 + 53 smk or 52 smk, 450's

 

[Rsadams]

Give some 50gr Nosler BT's a go.

My 1 and 7 twist shoots the 50 gr varment tips like a laser...as stated above and although I haven't tried it YET. People are seeing great results with the cci 450 mag primers especially with ball powder accuracy wise even over then bench rest primers. Of course a little load work needs to be done to compensate for the magnum primer..

 

[Brians356]

Give some 50gr Nosler BT's a go.

Done so, long ago. I prefer flat-based HPs in lighter weight bullets.
-

 

[Homerange]

Done so, long ago. I prefer flat-based HPs in lighter weight bullets.
-

Funny you say that, an old heavy barrel Sako L56 (pre Vixen) in 222 we have won't group any boat tails I've tried and that's a good few, instead it loves FB 2240 SX Hornadys of which it puts into 0.3" all day long.
Not bad for a rifle that's coming up 60 years old.

 

[Rsadams]

I have plenty of friends that prefer the flat base over the boat tail..

 

[AckleymanII]

You missed the whole boat, maybe the dock also!

Rem 700 SpS stainless, bedded in a walnut BDL stock

27.0g of Benchmark
cci 450
53g-55g
Touch the lands
3500 fps
Expect tiny groups
Remington 700 Sps Stainless, bedded in a Walnut BDL stock, freefoated

CCI 450 parts the Red Sea on this load!

I shoot the 55g NOsler BT and Varmegeddon, Varm has the accuracy edge, thankful for that on small varmints

Those with ears, let them hear, more than a few Remington 700's shoot this load very well...cci 450 absolutely seals the deal! Can you feel me on the 450?

Say Amen

Ps. OP, you hear me?