most forgiving 223 rem bullet selection with H335

[Kevin1990]

So I was on Brownells, looking for something totally unrelated, and came across the Howa mini actions. Thinking ill get a 223 rem and throw it in a KRG bravo or MDT oryx and use it to hone in what little wind reading skills I have, and just general plinking. I have about 10 pounds of H-335 and a few thousand CCI 450 primers.

I understand every firearm is different but if you had to take a guess, what would be your go to bullet that you think would be most forgiving with seating depth and most accurate?

Edit: Farthest id ever shoot is 500 yards.
Edit 1-8 twist.

Thanks fellas

 

[CJ6]

Twist would help.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Any of the Sierra MatchKings would work for that. 52 or 53 gr for a 12" twist, those plus a 69 gr for a 9" twist, add in the 77 gr for an 8" or faster twist. A Wylde chamber would be fine.

 

[K22]

Never shot at 500 yards but I shot a lot of H335 in 12" twist 223 Rems. at 200 yards. It was an extremely accurate powder in my rifles with 55 grain Sierra and Nosler bullets. I shot some of my all-time smallest groups with this powder off the bench.

For target shooting I would expect it to be a good choice, but I moved away from ball powders years ago due to temperature issue in the field, not so much with H335 but more with H380.

 

[mac86951]

Sierra 69, Hornady 68. Those would be my first recommendations. Berger 70VLD if you do become seating depth controlled.

Less than 300y, I'd downsize to the 52/53gr designs.

The howas being 1:8; the 77 might work for you, but under 500y, you'll get near identical results with the 69ish gr. And the 77 might benefit from another powder.


-Mac

 

[Kevin1990]

Twist would help.

haha that would probably help. 1-8. edited post.

 

[Kevin1990]

Sierra 69, Hornady 68. Those would be my first recommendations. Berger 70VLD if you do become seating depth controlled.

Less than 300y, I'd downsize to the 52/53gr designs.

The howas being 1:8; the 77 might work for you, but under 500y, you'll get near identical results with the 69ish gr. And the 77 might benefit from another powder.


-Mac

I read on a different forum I read that the Howa mini's use different magazines, that are smaller in length. wondering if the freebore is less than on a short action. either way I cant find a short action howa 223 rem so I guess it makes no difference. Forgot about the good ole 68grain hornadys.

 

[jpjulian]

H335 is my powder of choice for .223 varmint loads. My R700 12 twist loves 50-55 Nosler Varmageddons and 50-55 V-Maxs. Sub moa out to 200. I load 25.1 of H335 with the 55's and up to 26 with the 50's. Typical cautions apply, start low and work up.........

 

[joshb]

Sierra 69s and 75-77 are my two favorites.

 

[jk80]

I've got a savage that loves 335 and 53 gr v max. Shoots 50 gr hornady 50 sx almost as well. 335 works great in my 222 also.

 

[JB10]

50gr nosler ballistic tip varmint. I have shot this to 525 yards and its a laser. I have not tried a 50 vmax yet.

 

[mac86951]

I read on a different forum I read that the Howa mini's use different magazines, that are smaller in length. wondering if the freebore is less than on a short action. either way I cant find a short action howa 223 rem so I guess it makes no difference. Forgot about the good ole 68grain hornadys.

Plan on 2.265 as max mag length from howa mini, you might get slightly more, but not enough to mag feed an 80 set to 2.550.

Good news, 77 and under seat to 2.260 just fine. The 70 Berger vld is jump tolerant, just consistent seating depth and concentric ammo will be more important.

 

[Kevin1990]

Plan on 2.265 as max mag length from howa mini, you might get slightly more, but not enough to mag feed an 80 set to 2.550.

Good news, 77 and under seat to 2.260 just fine. The 70 Berger vld is jump tolerant, just consistent seating depth and concentric ammo will be more important.

Great info. Thank you! My concern is if I use a 69smk or 73bt berger, am I going to have to stuff the bullet so deep that I'll lose out on case capacity? I might load a 69smk and see how far out 2.265 is. I'm having trouble imagining it.

 

[Kevin1990]

I also meant to post this in the reloading forum! My bad fellas

 

[mac86951]

Great info. Thank you! My concern is if I use a 69smk or 73bt berger, am I going to have to stuff the bullet so deep that I'll lose out on case capacity? I might load a 69smk and see how far out 2.265 is. I'm having trouble imagining it.

With H335, don't worry about case capacity so much. If I can get 2600s+ from a 20" AR with Varget and a 77; no problems with the 73/69/68s.

Check out the published hodgdon load data,from a 24" barrel, starting 2800s; max load 2950ish. Take about 100fps off for the 20" barrel.

-Mac