.223 - 5.56

Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

Hi everyone, im new to this forum and in search of wisdom.

The rifle is a savage model 12 .223, 26" barrel, 1-9" twist
I was wondering what the heaviest bullet i could get away with without it becoming terribly unstable. are 75 a-max to much?

I need a load that can double as a target and hunting load out to a reasonable distance(300-500yrds)

 
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Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

Factory Noveske 18"

Die head space setting = -0.0015

Mixed 1x fired cases, swaged, flash holes, and pockets worked - not trimmed.

Powder - RL15

Bullet 77 SMK

Mag Length

Development - 23.8, 24, 24.1, 24.2, 24.4 BHM 75s as a control

Not chronoed.

Things really began to settle out at 24 and above. 24.2 shot as well as BHM 75s. 24.4 - cratered but did not push primers.
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

ok Guys
I need a start point for a Rem SPS 26" with 1-12 twist. rifle is bone stock and likely to stay that way for a while( at least a couple years) would really like to roll my own but not used to slow twist. whats the heaviest that is likely to stabilize real well etc?
thanks in advance
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

Lying in Wait, what, a little instability is OK?
1/9 Savage: My trials with a 1/9 Bushmaster A2; Horn 75 BTHP shot great, 75 AMAXs about 15% worse, but, I gave up on them due to my seating die putting a "taper" in to the jacket just below the plastic tip. Looked kinda like the Mercury/Atlas rocket profile. About 8 years ago, life changed and I never corrected the die or got back to the AMAX.

Kevin:
1/12 Remington: My shooting partner has an older 700 VS 1/12. Over a decade of use, we've found the 55's great, and the 60 Hornady Spire Point (a flat base) good and the upper limit.

Those are 1 Rifle Samples Each...
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

25.3 gr Ram Shot Xterminator
55 gr Hornady
LC Cases
Win primers
2950 fps from a 1/9 16" chrome lined H barrel (RRA)
3080 fps from a 1/7 16" chrome lined M-4 profile barrel (ADS - ERShaw)

Spread on a 5-shot group from my RRA measured 1.3" Not bad...
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

Hi kevin , here's my 2 cents ---
WW-748 28.2 gr.
Win. primed--
40 gr. v-max/40 gr.HP Sierra ---seating depth will be some what different . my gun likes a little jump.
Vol. is approx 3300 fps
Rem 700 VS 26in. barrel
1/12 twist
please work up load
on my rifle it's extremely accurate.
If only I could shoot !!

 
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Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

Just bought all the stuff to start reloading, I have a remmy sps tac. in a .223 1-9 twist 20" barrel, my gun loves loves the 69 grain FGMM, does pretty good with the 75 grain hornady match but also shoots real well with the 60 grain hornady tap ammo. give me some ideas

what I am trying now since all he had for .223 bullets (22cal .224) is 55 gr hornady, Varget powder, and federal champion primers, used brass includes hornady and federal.

thinking I was going to try 20 rounds each with 24.5, 25.5, 26.5 and 26.5 grains of the varget to see what it shoots like
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

not a single person loading an SS109? i bought a few hundred of these a couple days ago and want to try them out this weekend.

im currently using H335 and CCI magnum primers for 55g FMJs and 53g BTHPs, id like to stick with that for the 62g FMJs as well.
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

Here is .223 load for my MSTN AR-15 rifle with Lilja 18” barrel that is a 3-groove, 8-twist. I am using this for 3-gun so I am using mixed brass, whatever I get back in my brass bag. I basically copied a BHA/Hornady 55gr V-Max factory cartridge. Not trying to get super accurate, just use for 3-gun out to 200 yards. Footnote: I changed to Benchmark powder and edited to show new numbers.

Mixed brass about 50-60% Winchester
55gr Hornady V-Max bullet
26.0gr Benchmark
CCI No. 41 primer
OAL 2.250
Velocity avg is 3200 fps
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: D.J.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Rem 700 LTR, factory 1 in 9" BBL.

23.5gr ADI AR2208. (Varget)
Fed cases (ex GMM).
WSR primers.
69gr SMK.

Groups between 0.3 and 0.5 MOA, depending on how good a day I'm having...
Chrony'ed at 2650fps, +/- 15fps, 25 Deg C day at 150' AMSL.

</div></div>

I was about to post this same load but with CCI primers, worked out awesome will try it again soon with hornady brass since I got a ton

sps tactical 1-9 twist
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CrushDaddy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">anyone ever tried 75s with 4895? </div></div>

i'm using H4895 with 75 grain Moly A Max bullets in my .223AI. 24.5 grains to case form, and 25 grains in formed cases. yields 2925fps and 29MOA to 1k.
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

All info below is shot from a Remington 700 PSS cut down from 26" to 20" using:

77 Grain SMK (moly coated)
#205
Lapua brass
Mag length


22g Varget-2345.6 FPS

22.5g Varget-2389.3 FPS

23g Varget-2453.5 FPS

23.5g Varget-2516.2 FPS

24g Varget-2564.5 FPS

24.5g Varget-missing data

25g Varget-2706.1 FPS <----What I was aiming for

I'm planning on pushing it a bit faster in the future to try and match MK262 velocities.

 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56


LC '04 brass
Rem 7.5 primers
26 grain VV N140
75 grain Amax
Coal: 2.377"
ES= 8
Mv= about 2850

holds about 1 moa @ 1000 yds.
20" WOA 7 twist gas gun barrel
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

How about some ideas for a 10.5" LMT shorty upper? I have a bunch of once fired 5.56 NATO brass laying around here, and would like to use it.

 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

RRA Varmint 18" 1-8 twist
WIN Brass
WSR Primer
69 Nosler CC
25.4 gn. W748
2.255 OAL
2775 fps @ 50 degrees
shoots sub-moa out to 300
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

Cooper model 16 24" bbl. 1/12
.223 WSSM
Win. brass
Federal 210 primers
Hornady 60 gr. V-MAX
39.5 gr. IMR 4895
COAL 2.150
not chrono. yet guessing 3600-3700 fps
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

Hi all,

new guy here, jst got new Rem R-15 223 Stainless w/triangular barrel.
1/9 twist 24in barrel

with current shortage of ammow decided to just go with doing reloading
untill ammow gets abit more available. Got 500rds of once fired, cleand and polished FC (gotta decap n prime em) and 250 rds of mixed mostly LC and some odd stuff... SOOOOO...

I also picked up some 40g vmax & some 60gn Nosler & W748 powder

So could you guys toss some of your loads for the specific bullets and powder listed... Thanks very much in advace


 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dogtownboogeyman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I also picked up some 40g vmax & some 60gn Nosler & W748 powder

So could you guys toss some of your loads for the specific bullets and powder listed... Thanks very much in advace


</div></div>
Wlecome, and you can probably find what you are looking for with a little time reading and the search button.
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

An older post "Recipe (.223 77gr HPBT)"
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=54716

---------------

(Most info would be for 77gr HPBT, but other bullet wts are being added -Jicko 1/29/09)

I'm trying to develop a 223 Rem, 77gr load for the use in a 1x7 twist 18" SPR, the goal is to try to achieve Mk 262 -like performance at a reasonable cost. (I will experiment these load with my 1x7 16" M4 and with my 1x9 24" bull upper later too)

My first attempt will be with
Bullet: Nosler Custom Comp 77gr HPBT
Powder: RL15 or Ramshot TAC or VV N540
Primer: CCI #41 or #BR4
Brass: Fed 223 Rem or LC 05/06

If you have a recipe(for 77gr, or similar wt.) that you would like to share, please do. I can use as much references as I can get. Any numbers/info would be great - brand of bullet, HP? BT?, what powder, what loading wt.(gr), what primers, OAL, brass, velocity, barrel lenght, twist rate, accuracy, group size, etc...



I had done my homework, and I had consolidated(w/ links) all the info/data/numbers I had found from various sites. Some definitely provide more info than others. I am biased towards the powders/bullets that I had chosen. I may go plot these as graphs or such to investigate more, but here are what I have now, and I am sharing with you (standard disclaimer, use at your own risk):




--------------------------------------------
LOAD DATA FROM BULLETS & POWDER MANUF
--------------------------------------------

<span style="font-weight: bold">Nosler's website</span>
http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=15&b=22%20Cal&s=6

Bullet: 77gr Nosler Custom Competition HPBT
Ballistic Coefficient: .340
Sectional Density: .219

Primer: ?
Brass: ?
OAL: ?
Trim-to: ?
Barrel: ?
Twist: 1x7

Powder: RL-15
22.5gr - 2487fps (86% density)
23.5gr - 2633fps (89% density)
24.5gr - 2741fps (93% density) <- most accurate out of this 3

Powder: VV N135
20.5gr - 2451fps (78% density) <- most accurate out of this 3
21.5gr - 2555fps (82% density)
22.5gr - 2664fps (86% density)

Powder: Varget
22.5gr - 2466fps (86% density) <- most accurate out of this 3
23.5gr - 2598fps (89% density)
24.5gr - 2693fps (93% density)



<span style="font-weight: bold">Sierra's website</span>
http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

Bullet: 77gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT
Ballistic Coefficient: .362 @ 1800fps+ / .343 @ 1800fps-
Sectional Density: .219

Primer: Rem 7 1/2
Brass: Fed
OAL: 2.260"
Trim-to: 1.750"
Barrel: 20" Colt HBAR
Twist: 1x7

Powder: Ramshot TAC
21.8gr - 2500fps
22.2gr - 2550fps
22.7gr - 2600fps
23.1gr - 2650fps
23.6gr - 2700fps
24.0gr - 2750fps

Powder: RL-15
22.3gr - 2400fps
23.2gr - 2500fps
23.6gr - 2550fps
24.1gr - 2600fps

Powder: VV N540
22.9gr - 2400fps
23.7gr - 2500fps
24.1gr - 2550fps
24.5gr - 2600fps
24.9gr - 2650fps

Powder: VV N140
22.3gr - 2400fps
23.2gr - 2500fps
23.6gr - 2550fps
24.1gr - 2600fps <- most accurate out of all tests (more in the pdf)
24.5gr - 2650fps



<span style="font-weight: bold">Alliant Powder's website</span>
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/R...mp;bulletid=446

Bullet: 77gr Sierra HPBT
Powder: 24.1gr RL15
Primer: Fed 205M
Brass: Win
OAL: 2.26
Barrel: 24"
Twist:?
Velocity: 2793fps
Pressure: 51200psi



<span style="font-weight: bold">Lapua/Vihtavuori Powder's website</span>
http://www.lapua.com/index.php?id=850
http://www.lapua.com/fileadmin/user_upload/esitteet/RifleReloadingData2006.pdf

Primer: Small Rifle
Brass: Lapua
Trim-to: 1.752"
Barrel: 25"
Twist: 1x7

Bullet: 69gr Sierra HPBT
OAL: 2.244"
Powder: 24.1gr N540 (min)
Velocity: 2703fps
Powder: 26.4gr N540 (max)
Velocity: 2986fps

Bullet: 75gr Hornady HPBT
OAL: 2.260"
Powder: 23.1gr N540 (min)
Velocity: 2536fps
Powder: 25.8gr N540 (max)
Velocity: 2831fps

Bullet: 80gr Sierra HPBT
OAL: 2.551"
Powder: 21.4gr N540 (min)
Velocity: 2395fps
Powder: 23.7gr N540 (max)
Velocity: 2652fps



<span style="font-weight: bold">Ramshot Powder's website</span>
http://www.ramshot.com/powders/
http://www.ramshot.com/powders/loadguide/Ramshot%20Edition%204.2.pdf

Bullet: 77gr Nosler HPBT
Primer: Fed 205
OAL: 2.260"
Barrel: 24"
Twist: 1x7 or 1x9

Powder: 21.2gr TAC (min)
Velocity: 2515fps
Powder: 23.5gr TAC (max)
Velocity: 2794fps
Pressure: 52500psi (max)




LOAD DATA FROM INDIVIDUALS
------------------------------

<span style="font-weight: bold">From ocabj</span> (on calguns):

Bullet: 77gr Nosler CC HPBT
Powder: 24.0gr RL15
Primer: CCI #BR4
Brass: LC

Barrel: 20"
Twist: 1x7
Velocity: 2740fps

Barrel: 18"
Twist: 1x7
Velocity: ~2650fps (unconfirmed, just a wild guess)


Bullet: Sierra Match King 77gr BTHP
Powder: 25.3gr Hodgdon Varget
Primer: Winchester SR Primer
Brass: LC

Barrel: 18" WOA SPR w/ Wylde chamber
Twist: 1x7
Velocity: 2788fps (avg from 5: 2772, 2797, 2793, 2798, 2779)



<span style="font-weight: bold">From thmpr</span> (on calguns):

Bullet: 77 grains Nosler
Powder: 25gr Ramshot TAC
OAL: 2.255" (probably inconsistant OAL, therefore, ES is high)
Barrel: 20" JP CTR-02
Twist: 1x8
Velocity: 2786fps (avg out of 10: 2821, 2786, 2832, 2800, 2799, 2745, 2781, 2776, 2796, 2720)

Powder: 24.8gr Ramshot TAC
Velocity: ?

Bullet: 77 grains Nosler
Powder: 25gr Ramshot TAC
OAL: 2.255"
Barrel: 20" JP CTR-02
Twist: 1x8
Velocity: 2798fps (avg out of 10: 2801, 2793, 2802, 2800, 2799, 2795, 2791, 2804, 2796, 2798)
ES: 13



(on ar15.com):
http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=206
Most likely 1x8 and 1x7 twist.

<span style="font-weight: bold">From billyhill</span>
Bullet: 77 gr Nosler CC HPBT
Powder: 23.7gr Hodgdon Varget
Primer: CCI #BR4
Brass: LC
Brass Trim: ?
OAL: ?
Barrel: 20"
Twist: ?
Velocity: 2786fps
ES: ?
SD: 16fps

<span style="font-weight: bold">From overdriv</span>
Bullet: 77 gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT
Powder: 23.9gr Alliant RL15
Primer: WSR
Brass: LC
Brass Trim: ?
OAL: 2.255
Barrel: 20"
Twist: ?
Velocity: 2583fps
ES: 69fps
SD: 16fps

<span style="font-weight: bold">From overdriv</span>
Bullet: 77 gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT
Powder: 23.6gr Ramshot TAC
Primer: WSR
Brass: Remington
Barrel: 20"
Velocity: 2687fps
ES: 30fps
SD: 9fps

<span style="font-weight: bold">From sig685</span> (exact duplicate of BH 223 Blue Box)
Bullet: 77 gr Sierra MatchKing (Moly) HPBT
Powder: 24.5gr Hodgdon Varget
Primer: Rem 7.5
Brass: LC
Brass Trim: 1.760
OAL: 2.258
Barrel: 24" SS
Twist: ?
Velocity: 2730fps
ES: 51fps
SD: 12fps

<span style="font-weight: bold">From shootsenmeister</span>
Bullet: 77 gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT
Powder: 24.0gr VV N140
Primer: CCI #BR4
Brass: LC
Brass Trim: 1.750
OAL: 2.260
Barrel: 16" SS
Twist: ?
Velocity: 2618fps
ES: 42fps
SD: 16fps

(Extracted from a thread http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=9&t=500036)

<span style="font-weight: bold">From Lawman734</span>
Bullet: 77 gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT
Powder: 25.3gr Hodgdon Varget
Primer: WSR
Brass: LC
Barrel: 18" SPR
Twist: 1x7
Velocity: 2780fps

<span style="font-weight: bold">From Lawman734</span>
Bullet: 77 gr Nosler CC HPBT
Powder: 24gr RL-15
Primer: WSR
Brass: Winchester
Barrel: 18" SPR
Twist: 1x7
Velocity: 2730fps

<span style="font-weight: bold">From Ex0331</span>
Bullet: 77 gr Sierra MatchKing HPBT
Powder: 23.5gr AA2230C
Primer: CCI #400
Brass: LC
OAL: 2.250
Barrel: 20"
Twist: 1x9 (JR: he must be lucky)
Velocity: 2769fps
ES: 24
SD: 17

<span style="font-weight: bold">From Silly_Look</span>
Bullet: 77 gr Nosler HPBT with Cannuelure
Powder: 24.5gr RL-15
Primer: CCI #450 Magnum Primer (JR: I'd rather use #41 Military primer)
Brass: New Winchester
Barrel: 20"
Twist: 1x8 RRA Varmint A4 Heavy Barrel
Velocity: 2662fps
ES: 40
SD: 11






AMMO SPEC & INFO
-------------------

<span style="font-weight: bold">Specification of Mk 262 Mod 1</span> (non-official source)
http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ammunition/mk262_080105/ (Guns & Ammo article)

Manufacturer: Black Hills Ammunition
Brass: BHA
Bullet: 77gr Sierra MatchKing OTM w/ cannelure
Primer: ? (non-corrosive boxer, crimped)
OAL: ?
Barrel: 18" (Mk12 SPR)
Twist: 1x7
Powder: ? (custom version of Ramshot TAC??)
Velocity: 2783fps

Ballistics
Range: Muzzle (measured @ 12ft/4yds)
Velocity: 2783fps
Path: -2.75" (0" drift from 10mph wind)

Range: 100yds
Velocity: 2534fps
Path: +3.99" (.9" drift from 10mph wind)

Range: 200yds
Velocity: 2299fps
Path: +5.2" (3.8" drift from 10mph wind)

Range: 300yds
Velocity: 2076fps
Path: 0" (9" drift from 10mph wind)

Range: 400yds
Velocity: 1866fps
Path: -13.3" (16.8" drift from 10mph wind)

Range: 500yds
Velocity: 1670fps
Path: -36.7" (27.7" drift from 10mph wind)

Range: 600yds
Velocity: 1438fps
Path: -72.7" (42.3" drift from 10mph wind)

Range: 700yds
Velocity: 1320fps
Path: -124.5" (61.1" drift from 10mph wind)

Range: 800yds
Velocity: 1186fps
Path: -196.2" (84.4" drift from 10mph wind)


Velocity from Various Weapons
(10 rounds @ 12ft/3yds, Oehler 35P chronograph, 30 deg F, 100ft above sea level)
Barrel: 18" (Mk 12 Mod 0)
Velocity: 2783fps

Barrel: 18" (Mk 12 Mod 1)
Velocity: 2791fps

Barrel: 16" (AR carbine)
Velocity: 2751fps

Barrel: 13" (AR carbine)
Velocity: 2534fps


MK262 Velocity data from Novelske (I think..)

7.5" 2053 FPS ... 10.5" 2363 FPS
DIFF 310 FPS
DIFF/IN 103 FPS

10.5" 2363 FPS ... 14.5" 2576 FPS
DIFF 213 FPS
DIFF/IN 53 FPS

14.5" 2576 FPS ... 16" 2669 FPS
DIFF 93 FPS
DIFF/IN 62 FPS

16" 2669 FPS ... 18" 2769 FPS
DIFF 100 FPS
DIFF/IN 50 FPS

18" 2769 FPS ... 20" 2818 FPS
DIFF 49 FPS
DIFF/IN 25 FPS





OTHERS MISC INFO
-------------------


SAAMI Max PSI - 223 Remington 55000psi

6mmBR.com 223 info, great!!
http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

Accurate Powder - 223Rem data
http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCa...20and%20377.pdf

5.56 NATO Specification
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.56_x_45_mm_NATO

Mk262 Mod1 Performance
http://www.btammolabs.com/tests/6.htm
http://www.btammolabs.com/tests/5.htm

Great info on Mk262 and other commerical ammo that are like it.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=16&t=406469
 
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Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: glock10mmman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Im getting ready to load for a 24" 1-8" twist dabre fluted barrel. Going to use Hornady 68 grain BTHP bullets with H335. Any good starter data? </div></div>

The Honady 68 grain rounds are VLD... so very long and sensitive to seating with compressed loads.

I found that the Nosler 69gr rounds worked better with some of the powders (e.g. Varget) for me due to the compression factor. (The issue was the Varget worked well, but in order to seat the bullet properly for depth I had to really push the round into the casing. This causes compression of the tip of the round near hollow point for me - leaving an indentation on the bullet.)

H335 might work better.

I was going to try either BL-C(2) or H335 myself.

I did try W748 and is was not pretty. Horrible is what I would call it... No idea why.
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

While we're rolling, who's got some goods on a Sierra 52gn HPBT Match round going down a Rem 20" SPS tube? Anything with IMR 3031, Hodgdon Varget, H335 or H4198, or Reloader 15?
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

Sorry, "search" can be a beatch sometimes. Was looking for anyone with success using 52 gn Sierra HPBT match bullets in a 20" 1:9 tube. Or, opinions with load data to support, using that light of a proj in 1:9. I've read that can produce about 300k+ rpm and flat out spin off the jacket.
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

I'm also trying to develop my 77 grain smk round. Using RL-15, WSR, Winchester brass trimmmed, flash hole & primer pockets uniformed. I'm using a 18" Douglas SPR barrel w/ 1:8 twist. Shot best groups at 24.4. The only thing I didn't like was my muzzle velocity (mid 2600's). does this sound right? My 24.6-25.0 grain load didn't even touch 2700 fps and my groupings started opening up. Should I continue to increase the powder? Primers were flattening a bit but no craters. Do you think they will start to shrink again at higher velocity? Should I be content with the 24.4 load (just under 1 MOA).
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

I'm usaing a 1:8 barrel and not having any problems with the 52gr SMK.

Both BL(C)-2 and Winchester 748 seem to work very well for me.

Lilja match barrel... 1:8, 3 groove.

About 3/4MOA at 100 yards.
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

I found my new MK 294 clone load!

Guat Brass
WSR primer
Nosler/Hornady 77/75 bullet (moly)
AA2520 24.5 grns
COAL 2.260
2835 FPS Avg w SD of 15 FPS

24.2 had about the same velocity but the 24.5 load shot alot tighter.

My stick is a SPR wannabe, it's a chopped RRA SS 1/8 HB. I didn't get any pressure signs at 86 degrees but I think the moly helps lower the pressure...
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

It's not quite the norm around here, but it works very well.

Ruger M77 MKII Target, 9 twist

S&B Brass
WSR
40gr VMAX
26.5 Benchmark
OAL 2.280
 
Re: Loads for .223- 5.56

Great info guys, thanks. This is gonna help out nice as soon as I finish my build. The rifles almost finished im jus waiting on my glass to show up and figure out what length barrel to order. Barrel will be a varmint contour from CLE either douglas our krieger 1/7. Im still trying to decide on the length tho, either 20" or 22" and 77gr smks primarily.

for the sake of asking where is everybody tracking down their lapua brass?