Requesting load data for 223 Rem - 90gr SMK

[jimbycat]

Hi!

I am looking for load recipes for a 223 rem using Sierra 90 grain MatchKing bullets. The powders that I have available to me are Varget, IMR 8208 XBR, and Reloder 17. The rifle is a single-shot model, so magazine length is not an issue; it has a 24" barrel with a true 1x7" twist rate.

Load recipes for this bullet are very hard to find online so I thought I would give this forum a try. I realize that all rifles are different, so I was planning to start low and work up the load slowly. I just would like to have an idea of the performance other people are getting for this bullet.

Thanks in advance!

-Jim

 

[navyrad8r]

try 23.5gr of varget and go north SLOWLY! the USAMU was tinkering around one year using 1x6.5twist bbl in a mouse gun and doing quite well. you should have plenty of room to start at 23.5gr and work your way up. if the 90smk's don't give you any love try the Berger 82grnrs and see what your tube likes. be careful and shoot well.
cheers,
Doc

 

[fivering]

Don't waste your time on this.
You can't get enough powder in the .223 case to propel the 90 gr bullet fast enough to better the ballistics of the 80 gr bullet.
Also, the Sierra 90's tend to come apart above 2550 fps.
If you must pursue this, use JLK 90's, they have a heavier jacket and hold together even above 2900 out of my .223 AI.

 

[FroggyOne2]

In my bolt gun.. I am using 25.1 grs of RL15.

 

[jimbycat]

Froggy,

What velocity are you getting for that load?

 

[JERRYHM]

I did some testing of the Sierra 90 grain bullet in the 223, but gave up on it as the Berger 90 VLDS and BTs performed much better.
Both Berger 90 grain bullets will will have better ballistics than any of the 80 grain bullets!

Bolt rifle 30", 7 twist barrel --- All bullets made it to the target.

Load data for the Sierra 90s with Varget and RL15:

S90 ----- Varget ----- Win --- CCI-BR ---- 2X.6 --- 2792 --- 28 --- 10 --- 0.834" ------- Jump 0.010”
S90 ----- Varget ----- Win --- CCI-BR ---- 2X.8 --- 2791 --- 29 --- 11 --- 0.437" ------- Jump 0.010”
S90 ----- Varget ----- Win --- CCI-BR ---- 2X.0 --- 2821 --- 19 --- 08 --- 0.582" ------- Jump 0.010”

S90 ----- RL15 ------ Win --- CCI-BR ---- 2X.4 --- 2760 --- 35 --- 13 --- 0.907" ------- Jump 0.010”
S90 ----- RL15 ------ Win --- CCI-BR ---- 2X.6 --- 2791 --- 14 --- 05 --- 0.813" ------- Jump 0.010”
S90 ----- RL15 ------ Win --- CCI-BR ---- 2X.8 --- 2821 --- 29 --- 11 --- 0.574" ------- Jump 0.010”

 

[cmillard]

i would definately go with the berger 90 vlds over the 90 sierras. i shot the bergers out of an 18", 1-7" twist douglas barrel on my long range ar-15 with a stout load of h-380. wow, did it shoot!! i cant remember what i got for velocity but i was impressed with the load.