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rdsii640X27 MONTHS
Premium Member
Sergeant
Rating: 3.2/5 this site
193 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
10/20/2014
Lake city brass full length sized and trimmed to 1.75
26 grains of N133
50 grain vmax
wolf small rifle primer
(this load may be to hot for a semi auto)
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GregLangeliusXFirst Sergeant
Rating: 3.4/5 this site
5017 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
10/24/2014 Last edited 12/17/2016 by GregLangelius
By Greg Langelius
.223/5.56 Varmint/Target loads for 200yd and under
50 NBT or 52SMK, 2.260" OAL
F/L resized brass, I prefer PPU.
CCI BR-4
26.0gr Varget.
.223/5.56 Target load for beyond 200yd
HDY 75gr HPBT Match, 2.260" OAL
F/L resized brass, I prefer PPU
CCI BR-4
23.7gr Varget
The above loads work well as a generic loads in 4 rifles, CMMG 16 Bull WASP, Mossberg 20" MVP Predator, 24" Savage 11VT, 24" Stag Model 6 Super Varminter. The slowest rifling is the CMMG 16"/1:9".
Mixmaster Load to duplicate performance of FGMM 3006/168
SRA 168SMK, 3.230" OAL
F/L resized brass, I prefer Win.
CCI BR-2
48.1gr IMR-4064
Thus load works well in my M70 Push Feed Sporter (under 2" at 250yd), 22" Savage Axis II XP, and should be fine in my Garand.
My generic deer hunting load substitutes the SRA 165SGKwith no other changes. ETA: as of yesterday's test, the165SGK load shoots ay least as accurately at 200yd in my M70 sporter as the 168SMK load.
It is not my policy to load beyond mag length and my brass is F/L resized to match a standard case gauge, and not any specific chamber.
Greg
Update: the 165gr version of the '06 load placed first in local club (Bath, NY) deer rifle match.
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JGB02
XFirst Sergeant
Rating: 3.4/5 this site
1841 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
11/05/2014
Seekings SPRO3G Upper (18", 1/8 barrel)
LC brass
CCI 400
Hornady 75gr BTHP
COL=2.225"
24.0gr PP 2000-MR
Have gone all the way up to 26.4gr, but 24.0gr provides better accuracy
Bolt gun w/ 20" 1/7 Brux barrel
LC Brass
CCI 400
Seated ~ 0.005" off lands (not sure this matters much)
Hornady 75gr AMAX
25.5gr PP 2000-MR
LC Brass
CCI 400
Seated ~ 0.005" off lands (not sure this matters much)
Hornady 80gr AMAX
25.3gr PP 2000-MR
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MinnesotaMulisha
XSergeant
Rating: 3.1/5 this site
293 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
11/05/2014
LC '12 Brass
Fed 205M Primers
24.9g Varget
69g SMK
2.250" COAL
18" Black Hole Weaponry barrel with 1:8 Twist
Sub 1/2 moa if I play the role of a shooter.
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Stpilot12
XSergeant
Rating: 3.2/5 this site
241 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
11/17/2014 Last edited 07/04/2015 by Stpilot12
Time to contribute….
Hornady 68gr BT match
25.5 Varget
F205M
Win 1x
2.252 COAL- This bullet is more finicky than SMK's, tried 2.248-2.260 .252 was noticeably better.
Mild load, 2855 Avg from my Tikka Varmint 24"
.5" @100, taken it to 500, easy MOA or better
Hornady 53gr VMAX
26.0 Benchmark
CCI BR-4
Win 1x and LC 1x
2.270 COAL
3350fps Avg from my Tikka 24" (3380 in Virgin Win brass)
My goto Varmint load.. Makes Squirrel soup
Ive seen this as small as .3's, if it goes over .5, its my fault...
69 SMK
25.7 Varget
F205M or BR-4 (doesn't seem to care)
Win 1x
2.258 COAL
Avg 2875fps in my WOA 18" SPR
Always .5" Taken it to 600, easy MOA+
Preliminary Work up…
69 SMK
23.8 Benchmark (this is over max.)
CCI BR-4
Win 1x
2.258COAL
I've only shot 3 Groups (of 5) so far, but looks promising. All three groups under .5"
Velocity is a little slow at 2780 fps (Avg.18" SPR) with ES less than 20 (I love Benchmark)
No real pressure signs yet. I may push it up a bit, but the accuracy is incredible so far.
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korykhunterXSergeant
Rating: 0.0/5 this site
166 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
12/05/2014
A good load for under 500 is 40grvmax on top of 24gr N120 and Rem 7 1/2. This is a max or near max load but it does a number on Prairie dogs.
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JBMdc
XGunny Sergeant
Rating: 3.3/5 this site
807 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
12/14/2014
Factory Remington 700 SPS Tactical 1:9 20"
Brass: Lake City
Primer: CCI 400
Powder: Varget 25 grains
Bullet: Hornady 75 HPBT
Bullet just touching the lands.
Velocity: 2814
ES: 9
Shoots .4s in my rifle.
24.7 shot even tighter with .3s, but the ES and SD were not as consistent. I will be testing 24.7 more.
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nilescoyote
XFirst Sergeant
Rating: 3.6/5 this site
4209 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
02/14/2015
Recorded this past summer.
18" noveske with 8208, 77cc @2.257" Winchester cases and primers.
23 grains = 2637 for 5 with SD of 18
23.5 grains = 2682 for 5 with SD of 6
23.8 grains = 2700 for 6 with SD of 15
16" sabre defense 75 bthp Hornady 8208 in FC brass and WSR
23 grains 2600 for 4 SD of 10
23.8 grains 2700 for 5 SD of 30
Recorded Feb14th at 14 degrees with one hour of transport from 70 degree house
18" FN chrome lined barrel, rifle gas, with 8208, 77cc @2.257" Wolf Gold cases and Winchester primers.
23 grains = 2621 for 4 with SD of 12
23.5 grains = 2670 for 4 with SD of 11
23.8 grains = 2692 for 4 with SD of 24
Recorded this past summer.
69 grain Nosler CC @ 2.253 with H4895 @ 24.4 = best load that works well in all my AR uppers and Remington Tactical 20" factory barrel
16" Sabre Defense, mid gas = 2768
18" Noveske,= 2829
18" FN = 2851
20" Rem Tac = 2854
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mattc51XSergeant
Rating: 3.1/5 this site
114 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
02/15/2015
Hornady tap copy
55 gr hornady v-max flat base bullet
24.7 gr of benchmark
Very tight groups in all my AR's
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colt933XFirst Sergeant
Rating: 3.3/5 this site
1014 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
03/01/2015 Last edited 06/19/2015 by colt933
Mk262 Mod1 ish clone
LC Brass, headspace 1.460 (like FGMM in the box), trimmed to 1.750"
77SMK W/C
Ramshot TAC 24.8
FGMM primer
2.245"
LFCD
This load is 1/2MOA in three different DD CHF S2W 18" AR15 barrels.
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bob6118XSergeant
Rating: 0.0/5 this site
158 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
03/07/2015
POF 16" barrel 1/8 twist.
LC brass
Wolf small rifle magnum primers
27.0 gr. Varget
62 gr. SS109 bullet.
2950 fps avg. for 10 shot string.
I only shot this @ 50 yd. , I was looking more for velocity than accuracy.
3/4 " @ 50 yd using a vortex pst 1-4
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Rover31XGunny Sergeant
Rating: 3.1/5 this site
523 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
03/17/2015
not to rain on anyones parade... I was looking over some of the loads copied over from the old site that are here and I see a problem.
this is listed as mine
By Rover31
Lapua Brass
Rem 7 1/2 Primers
80 SMK (.015" off lands)
24.6 gr V140
2750fps
I don't have Lapua brass (never have owned any)
I don't have any Rem primers
I have never used or had any V140 powder
I'm a bit concerned that some of the data is messed up. I don't want to see anyone using the data with bad or even just poor results. I especially don't want my name tied to something that is wrong.
I suggest that others look through this and see if I am the only one with bad data.
Thanks
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Rover31XGunny Sergeant
Rating: 3.1/5 this site
523 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
03/26/2015
Savage bolt, 26in McGowen bull barrel threaded with suppressor
Win brass
CCI SR primer
80g SMK
Varget 25.4g
COAL have to check
Avg Velocity at 1k altitude on a 60f day
2907.1
load #2
everything same as above except
Power Pro 2000mr 25.3g velocity avg. 2699.8
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scorpion168
XSergeant
Rating: 2.9/5 this site
400 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
05/18/2015
Starting to load for my .223/.556. Trying to find a powder to start with. Gonna measure the twist tonight(Windham). Stock gun. Thinking of 55-62 grain bullets. Sounds like Benchmark, H4895, and Varget? I'll dig more, just looking for good opinions.
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scorpion168
XSergeant
Rating: 2.9/5 this site
400 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
05/19/2015
1:8 twist.
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scorpion168
XSergeant
Rating: 2.9/5 this site
400 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
05/19/2015
Sounds like I may be loading 69 SMK's or 77 SMK's, using Varget or H4895.
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scorpion168
XSergeant
Rating: 2.9/5 this site
400 posts this site
Re: .223 - 5.56 Loads
05/19/2015
Correction. 1:9 twist. Looking like 55-62 grain bullets.
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Pretty well known node for 75/77gr pills between 23.2 - 23.8. Most people find their node at 23.6. Load charges from 23.2g in 0.2g increments up to 24.
What magazine are you running that fits this round? My load is nearly identical but I've been single feeding since these accurate mags with 223 kit won't fit.
May want to try .30-50 off lands as well. 75 eldm tend to shoot well in most barres if you can find the right depthI'll have to give it a try. I got awesome results with benchmark and 77gr smk the other day running around 2900fps. I couldn't get the 75gr eldm to group at all even at 100 yards but I think it was due to seating depth. I was running. 020" off lands. Going to try seating as close to the lands as the magazine will allow before I sell them all of. Regardless, no pressure signs on the 77gr smk so I know 3000fps is more than likely possible, I'd just like to use the eldm for the bc
@Eticsl2 what barrel twist rate are you using?I'll have to give it a try. I got awesome results with benchmark and 77gr smk the other day running around 2900fps. I couldn't get the 75gr eldm to group at all even at 100 yards but I think it was due to seating depth. I was running. 020" off lands. Going to try seating as close to the lands as the magazine will allow before I sell them all of. Regardless, no pressure signs on the 77gr smk so I know 3000fps is more than likely possible, I'd just like to use the eldm for the bc
I’d say that’s on the low side of 75gr BTHP with a 26” tube especially custom. I’m running 80gr ELD M 2840 with a factory 23”. My buddies tikka the same. And the other friend was running 2975 with his 75gr eld m out of his tikka last year. With his custom i think he’s at 3075 But i mean if that’s a good node and hammering I’d leave it. I just went with the 80gr eld m for the added BC and wind deflection. If i could run the 88 at 2800 i would so do so.
Thanks, That's kinda what I figured. I might try and work it up a bit after my next match. For now it hammers and it's just for training/practice anyways. I do think it's a slow lot of Varget as well, based on having to bump up my loads for my .308s. I'll probably do another workup when I get a new jug of Varget.
23.82 grains of IMR 8208 80 ELDm in Lapua brass. Happy with velocity and SDs but accuracy is only about 3/4 moa. 24” Nucleus custom with wylde chamber. Jump was about .020”
Any recommendations on how much to jump the 80 ELDm? I haven’t found a load that can get me below 1/2 moa. I may try a light jam next.
Gonna do some load development for my Tikka this weekend. I'm looking to get around 2800 with 80gr ELD-Ms. Ideas on where to start powder wise? I was think 8208 XBR or maybe even 2000-MR to start. Expecting the Tikka to run a little slow.
I’d say that’s on the low side of 75gr BTHP with a 26” tube especially custom. I’m running 80gr ELD M 2840 with a factory 23”. My buddies tikka the same. And the other friend was running 2975 with his 75gr eld m out of his tikka last year. With his custom i think he’s at 3075 But i mean if that’s a good node and hammering I’d leave it. I just went with the 80gr eld m for the added BC and wind deflection. If i could run the 88 at 2800 i would so do so.
I might go 1-7 on my next barrel for my Tikka so I can play with the 80s and 88 ELDMs. The 88 runs great in my 1-7 22BR.
View attachment 7071433View attachment 7071433This is 22.0 varget with 80 vld
Well I tried the RDFs. View attachment 7146407View attachment 7146408 RDF 85 24.5 Varget. The bottom row was shot first a then the top. Looks like the .010 is the one I will be working with.