Loading data for new rifle

[Nick Caprinolo]

I am building a new .223 target rifle, based on a Remington 700 SA. Action is trued, barrel is Bartlein 26 inches 1/8 twist, Jewel trigger, on a benchrest stock. Smithed by Bob Greene.

Looking for some suggestions for loading data. Bullet weight, powder and charge, primers and whatever. Already have Lapua brass. I'm thinking 77 gr, Sierra or Berger bullets.

All suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[riflewoman]

I stole this from the web somewhere.



This guy has also done a lot of work with 77Sierras. https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTTrjvDib94ly8_5jqnedzK6bhXWzZyVl

 

[natdscott]

I stole this from the web somewhere.

This guy has also done a lot of work with 77Sierras. https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTTrjvDib94ly8_5jqnedzK6bhXWzZyVl

You stole it from ReloadingStuph on the New Jersey page.

It's not a terrible suggestion, but keep in mind also that this guy isn't limited by the AR15.


Nick, what freebore did you select for this rifle?

What range(s) are you intending to shoot, and how big is the target?


-Nate

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Nate

I am not sure of the free bore. Bob made a suggestion and I left it up to him. He asked for two unfired cases and several of whatever bullets I intended to use, so I took him several Sierra 77 gr.

I will do most of my shooting at 100 yards.

 

[joshb]

Hey Nick! I just saw your post. I shoot the 75 Hornady, 77 Sierra and the 80 Berger out of my 7 twist. I built two 8 twists for my son in law and grandson. I use Lapua, LC and PMC brass in them. I use Varget and CCI 400 primers. Best loads at touch are between 21.6 to 22.2 for all combinations of bullets and brass in all three guns. Each gun likes a little different combo but that should get you in the ballpark. I also load a ton of 69 Sierra’s for the 8 twists. They shoot well for short range. Don’t buy a lot of bullets before you see me. I have 4000 of the 77s and 5000 of the 69s. I’ll give you some for testing.
My next favorite powder is H335. It meters like water for volume reloading.
Also, I have a Jewell with a bottom safety and bolt release I can trade if you want. Is Bob doing a side bolt release? Your stock awaits my attention.

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

Hey Josh. I thought I sent you a message about that. I had already ordered the trigger from Jewel with the safety and bolt release. When I called them to change it, they told me it had already shipped. Hope this will not cause you to much trouble.

Is the H335 extruded or ball powder? I really like the way the extruded powder meters with my RCBS scale. By the way, those 120 gr 6.5 sierra bullets you gave do a fine job in my 6.5 Creedmor. Bob told me he would be finished in about three weeks, so only two weeks to go.

Brass for the 223 will never be a problem. I have more than I will ever use. All once fired. But for this rifle I will most likely only use the Lapua.

I will never be able to repay you for all the help you have given me and especially for this project.

Nick

 

[joshb]

Hi Nick! I did get your message about your trigger. I went and looked thru my box of parts. I found the brand new bottom safety Jewell with the bolt release. I bought a few extra triggers when Larry had a sale. I’ll trade it for yours if you want. Just an offer. I can use yours on one of my other guns where the stock is already cut for it. I have a factory 5r 308 that could use it.
I like the H335 because it is a ball powder. If I carefully fuss with my powder measure and get it dialed in, I can throw hundreds of loads at a sitting and hit 22.2 grains on every one. I’ve done it many times.

 

[K22]

If you're doing most of your shooting at 100 yards you many want to try either the 60 grain Vmax or 55 grain Nosler BT with H4895.

My Tikka w/ 8" twist shoots under 1/2 moa with these bullet and that powder and the rifle is "as is" from the factory. The only adjustment I've made is to lower the trigger pull to 2.5 lbs.

 

[CT10ring]

My Rem 1/9 twist shoots best with H335 or H4895. 53g Vmax bullets. May not be applicable, especially, but 2 powders to consider.
Good for 64g Berger Varmint HP, too. Bob has built some rifles for me & they are highly accurate. enjoy yours!

This book has a ton of 223 info, for service rifle, but good stuff. wordy. I liked it...

 

[Nick Caprinolo]

My Rem 1/9 twist shoots best with H335 or H4895. 53g Vmax bullets. May not be applicable, especially, but 2 powders to consider.
Good for 64g Berger Varmint HP, too. Bob has built some rifles for me & they are highly accurate. enjoy yours!

I have been to Bob's twice and I really enjoy talking to him. The work he has done for me is outstanding. His advice is priceless.

 

[Kurz]

Between Model SeVens and the M700 SA, you can build a very nice .223 Rem. for target shooting. You don't specify a distance but these longer, VLD bullets (77gr Bergers) will perform out to 1,000 yards when set up correctly. I don't bother with 100 yards and these bullets. That's what they make Bart's, BIB's, etc. for!

Lapua brass
Berger 77 gr. OTM
26" Bartlein barrel (yes Matilda, it's a 4-groove...)
Remington Model SeVen
Either EVR3 Rifle Basics or a Jewell
One of several chassis stocks or wood lam of my own design

Lots of testing produced an exceptional load with the Bergers in this barrel (1:8" twist) in the 2,900 fps node. Four different powders achieved this node but the one which performed most consistently was Alliant AR-Comp. And for those with the driving desire to check against Quickload, the OAL is 2.440" seated 0.015" off the lands. I had the reamer ground for my chamber after the testing. This is a mild load using a somewhat mild powder. You can work up the load for yourself, it's that's easy.

I have built Varmint rifles chambered for the .223 Rem but I used the original Sako A-1 receivers which are scaled for cartridges in this family. I bought lots of these when they were on closeout and just held onto them for awhile... These were made to shoot from the magazine so the OAL is mag length and the bullets were Hornady 52 gr. AMAX over IMR 8208 XBR which is actually a little too slow for this combination but is outstanding in performance out to about 350 yards.

 

[CT10ring]

Between Model SeVens and the M700 SA, you can build a very nice .223 Rem. for target shooting. You don't specify a distance but these longer, VLD bullets (77gr Bergers) will perform out to 1,000 yards when set up correctly. I don't bother with 100 yards and these bullets. That's what they make Bart's, BIB's, etc. for!

Lapua brass
Berger 77 gr. OTM
26" Bartlein barrel (yes Matilda, it's a 4-groove...)
Remington Model SeVen
Either EVR3 Rifle Basics or a Jewell
One of several chassis stocks or wood lam of my own design

Lots of testing produced an exceptional load with the Bergers in this barrel (1:8" twist) in the 2,900 fps node. Four different powders achieved this node but the one which performed most consistently was Alliant AR-Comp. And for those with the driving desire to check against Quickload, the OAL is 2.440" seated 0.015" off the lands. I had the reamer ground for my chamber after the testing. This is a mild load using a somewhat mild powder. You can work up the load for yourself, it's that's easy.

I have built Varmint rifles chambered for the .223 Rem but I used the original Sako A-1 receivers which are scaled for cartridges in this family. I bought lots of these when they were on closeout and just held onto them for awhile... These were made to shoot from the magazine so the OAL is mag length and the bullets were Hornady 52 gr. AMAX over IMR 8208 XBR which is actually a little too slow for this combination but is outstanding in performance out to about 350 yards.

Good info! Plain jane Hornady 52g amax - a very good bullet.

 

[CT10ring]

I have been to Bob's twice and I really enjoy talking to him. The work he has done for me is outstanding. His advice is priceless.

Good to hear. Glad Bob is still hard at it!