Reloading the new Berger 85.5 grain bullet

[Gater]

Has anyone used the new Berger 85.5 grain .223 bullet ? I was wondering what load has worked how far of the lands do they like ? I’ll be using them in two guns one is a savage with a 26” Bartline barrel with a
1-7.7 twist the other is a mouse gun
(AR-15) with a 20” 1-7 twist would appreciate any help

 

[Ned Ludd]

You might take a look in the following thread:

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/new-berger-224-bullet.3988945/

Most of the load development info is on the last couple or three pages and represents preliminary results, but it might help to provide a good starting point.

 

[barefooter56]

Has anyone used the new Berger 85.5 grain .223 bullet ? I was wondering what load has worked how far of the lands do they like ? I’ll be using them in two guns one is a savage with a 26” Bartline barrel with a
1-7.7 twist the other is a mouse gun
(AR-15) with a 20” 1-7 twist would appreciate any help

Gater,
Since the 85.5 is a HYBRID BULLET. I suggest that you start any bullet seating depth testing at .015 OFF THE LANDS. Then WORK BACK INTO THE CARTRIDGE CASE IN .005 INCREMENTS. Any bullet seating depth testing should be done using the starting powder charge listed for the bullet/powder/cartridge combination you are loading. Do not try to use the 85.5 loaded to magazine length with the .223 cartridge. It is much to long. In a single shot mode though. It will work just fine. Both twist rates should work also. Please phone us for unpublished load data : 660-460-2802 8am to 4:30pm EASTERN TIME MON thru FRI.
In regards to the bullet seating depth. You will have to find what YOUR RIFLES like by testing.

 

[garandman]

@barefooter56 ... thannx for the 80.5 / 85.5 laod data !!!!!!

Mark K

 

[Firemedic301]

Has anyone used the new Berger 85.5 grain .223 bullet ? I was wondering what load has worked how far of the lands do they like ? I’ll be using them in two guns one is a savage with a 26” Bartline barrel with a
1-7.7 twist the other is a mouse gun
(AR-15) with a 20” 1-7 twist would appreciate any help

I shot the 85.5’s today at 300 yards. My load was 85.5 with 23.3 IMR8208 loaded to “2.56 OAL in my White Oak Precision Shilen 20” service rifle. Shot 13 of the 15 rounds in 1.5” and the 2 out lyers made it a 2.5” group.