PLEASE HELP LOAD WORK-UP FOR .223 BOLT ANY ADVICE
- Thread starter trgtsnpr
- Start date
mshelton
http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/
There's probably close to as much information on a 223 on the web as there are stuck caps lock keys.....
There's probably close to as much information on a 223 on the web as there are stuck caps lock keys.....
CatShooter
trgtsnpr said:
It would really REALLY help to know what type of rifle, and the intended use?
POWDER - in temperature stable powders... H322, BenchMark, IMR-8208.
In ball powders, H-335, BLc2, AA-2230, and a ton of others.
BRASS - First choice is Lapua (IF your rifle is match grade), next is Lake City, then Winchester... then any garbage.
PRIMERS - CCI 400 or 450, Win SR, or Rem 7-1/2. Pick one that you are sure you can get more of.
BULLETS - For live animals, 50 grain Sierra BlitzKings, Hornady V-Maxs, Speer TNTs - because of the 14" twist, keep bullet weights to 50 grains or lighter.
For target - try Sierra 52 or 53 grain Matchkings - don't waste money on custom bullets in an unproven rifle.
OAL JUMP OR INTO LANDS - Try both... jam first, then try jump.
NECKS TURNED TO ? Do not turn necks - you have many other things to do first, and unless your rifle is a tight neck custom chamber, you will gain nothing by turning.
If you do decide to turn necks, just skim them (remove ~0.0005")... but I guarantee that you will see no improvement.
I think the best thing that could help you is a reloading manual from hornady, lyman and a host of others.
bigedp51
trgtsnpr said:
The throat on my Savage .223 bolt action with a 1 in 9 twist is "LONGER" than the throats in my two AR15 rifles, you need to find out the length of your throat.
In today’s world the .223 chamber must be big enough to fit the cartridge and the company lawyer in.
As with any rifle you must work up your own loads checking for pressure signs, and your throat will determine how hot you can load.
HOLLIGER ON .223/5.56 CHAMBERS
http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm
The best go-to load for most .223's I am trying out is a 50-grain V-Max and IMR8208XBR. Makes for a great informal target load, plinking and varmints. If you want to spend a bit more, try Berger 52's or Sierra's, either in the Blitz King or Match King. I do see a slight improvement when turning necks on poor brass- but is a lot of work for little return when using good brass to start with - such as Lapua. I'd try my loads at .005" off the lands to start and would not recommend jambing unless you are familiar with the safe protocol of doing so. Buy a Hornady headspace tool if you don't already have one (or other brand) for properly setting up your sizing die. If you want to go with 40-grain bullets, try Accurate LT-32 powder and their load data. While I have pet loads for particular rifles, these are the only two powders that have shot very well in just about every .223 I have tried. Good luck to you.
Shynloco
You can lead a horse to water, but ........
Lots of good info prior to mine. On the last two options on your list, remember, what works in one rifle will NOT necessarily work best in another (even if of the same model and manufacturer). Also, jams drive up pressure even if they produce the best results downrange. I would NOT turn brass unless necessary (tight chamber) especially if you are using new blue box Lapua brass. My son's Savage Model 12 VLPDBM, is most accurate using Sierra 52's and 53's (FB's) being pushed by BLC2. Don't overlook this powder as its good stuff in a .223 bolt gun.
Alex
Alex
A few years back I had a new 700 VS-SF and too much time on my hands and tried nearly everything suitable out of a 1-12" barrel with WAY too much freebore. Better than 700 powder/charge weight/bullet/primer combinations
Bottom line. 40 gr Nosler, Winchester small rifle primer, with powders in the following order: 1st DuPont IMR 4198 (it was a while back, don't know if the new stuff is the same since it was sold); 2nd H4198 (NOT the same as IMR, slower, takes about .5 gr more for the same velocity); 3rd H335 (you would think H332 but not).
The IMR load ran at 3600 fps with accuracy.
Given the velocity, the heavier bullets at less velocity will have more drop and more drift out to 300 yards, simple math. Even with the higher BC of 50 or 55 gr bullets, the higher velocity of the 40s wins out.
Bottom line. 40 gr Nosler, Winchester small rifle primer, with powders in the following order: 1st DuPont IMR 4198 (it was a while back, don't know if the new stuff is the same since it was sold); 2nd H4198 (NOT the same as IMR, slower, takes about .5 gr more for the same velocity); 3rd H335 (you would think H332 but not).
The IMR load ran at 3600 fps with accuracy.
Given the velocity, the heavier bullets at less velocity will have more drop and more drift out to 300 yards, simple math. Even with the higher BC of 50 or 55 gr bullets, the higher velocity of the 40s wins out.
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