im trying to get started on hand loading for my 223. a friend suggested this forum. im shooting a kimber lpt, 22 in barrel w/ 1 in 9 twist. after a little research im leaning towards lapua brass, 70 gr bergers, rem br primers, and either re 15 or varget powders. am i on the right track or any opinions would be greatly appreciated
.223 hand loads.
- Thread starter wee man
- Start date
Re: .223 hand loads.
With that 1/9 twist, I'd go as heavy as possible. Bergers are great, but Sierras are usually more forgiving for seating depth. The 69 SMK is very good choice also. Might give you a little more flexibility.
With that 1/9 twist, I'd go as heavy as possible. Bergers are great, but Sierras are usually more forgiving for seating depth. The 69 SMK is very good choice also. Might give you a little more flexibility.
Re: .223 hand loads.
If you have some temperature variation in your part of the world, Varget's the way to go. I made up some loads for a REm 700 LTR (1/9 twist) using Lapua brass, 69 gr SMKs, Federal match primers and - IIRC - 26 grains of H-Var. 2935 fps w/ and SD of 15. Been meaning to play around with that load some more, try and get the SD into single digits, velocity over 3k, but it prints under 1/2 MOA. I've had BHA match ammo (52 grain in a 1/12 PSS) give me SDs of 40+ and barely sub-MOA groups, so I'm happy so far with a load in a gun I don't shoot much or often. Hot or cold the H-varget holds that same 2900 fps range with that load, I've shot it winter spring summer with similar results.
If you have some temperature variation in your part of the world, Varget's the way to go. I made up some loads for a REm 700 LTR (1/9 twist) using Lapua brass, 69 gr SMKs, Federal match primers and - IIRC - 26 grains of H-Var. 2935 fps w/ and SD of 15. Been meaning to play around with that load some more, try and get the SD into single digits, velocity over 3k, but it prints under 1/2 MOA. I've had BHA match ammo (52 grain in a 1/12 PSS) give me SDs of 40+ and barely sub-MOA groups, so I'm happy so far with a load in a gun I don't shoot much or often. Hot or cold the H-varget holds that same 2900 fps range with that load, I've shot it winter spring summer with similar results.
Re: .223 hand loads.
I am shooting 75 Amax's over 24.5g of Varget at about 2850 from a 20" barrel. Lapua brass and Federal match primers. Barrel is 1:8" twist.
I am shooting 75 Amax's over 24.5g of Varget at about 2850 from a 20" barrel. Lapua brass and Federal match primers. Barrel is 1:8" twist.
Re: .223 hand loads.
I am using 24.5gr of Varget with HDY 75gr HPBT Match out of a Stag Model 6 Super Varminter (AR) with a 24" 1:8" barrel.
For 'Chucks, I use 26.0gr of Varget and the NOS 50gr Ballistic Tip.
I have also used W748 with success, but have standardized on Varget for this and several other Chamberings. It shoots cleaner.
They shoot well at 250yd (no 'Chuck is safe at that distance), and I wouldn't go any higher with Varget.
Greg
I am using 24.5gr of Varget with HDY 75gr HPBT Match out of a Stag Model 6 Super Varminter (AR) with a 24" 1:8" barrel.
For 'Chucks, I use 26.0gr of Varget and the NOS 50gr Ballistic Tip.
I have also used W748 with success, but have standardized on Varget for this and several other Chamberings. It shoots cleaner.
They shoot well at 250yd (no 'Chuck is safe at that distance), and I wouldn't go any higher with Varget.
Greg
Re: .223 hand loads.
mine like's the high end of 8208xbr ( 24.0gn ) with a 69gn NCC.I'll be trying the 70gn VLD soon with the same powder.
mine like's the high end of 8208xbr ( 24.0gn ) with a 69gn NCC.I'll be trying the 70gn VLD soon with the same powder.
Re: .223 hand loads.
Savage Model 10, .223 Rem. 9" twist, 22" barrel. Right handed rifle and shooter.
Have worked up loads for 55gr.& 60gr. Horn V-Max, 55gr & 60gr. Nosler Varmint, 55gr. & 65gr. Sierra BTHP, and 70gr. Speer SP.
Have used Varget, Rl15, Benchmark, H335, TAC, Win.748 powders. For me, Win748 was the least successful of all the powders. Lapua brass, CCI400 and CCI450 primers. Settled on Varget as the best powder for all these bullets in MY rifle. Settled on CCI400 primers for all loads.
Have tried all loads at "jumps" of .010", .015" and .020". At this writing, .015 SEEMS to be the best all around for all bullets. The "jump" distance still needs some minor tweeking.
The best accuracy for all bullets with most powders seems to be within the moderate to slightly nudging the max. recommended load.
The Sierra 55gr.BTHP seems the most accurate so-far. Have a few 100 yd, 5 shot groups in the .250" to .265" range with that bullet. The other bullets provide 100 yd, 5 shot groups in the 3/8" to 5/8" range when I am shooting well and weather conditions are favorable.
All shooting is done at an outdoor range from a not-too-stable shooting bench. My front rest is a Harris swivel bipod with legs out to the first notch. A swivel bipod is necessary because most shooting benches are not level side-to-side. When the bipod legs are fully "in" they have a slight springy effect which affects accuracy. The bipod is very stable when the legs are out to the first notch. A sandbag is the rear rest.
While at the range during load development I focus on breathing(don't wait too long after you are ready), sight picture(centered, full and steady), trigger control(pulling straight back), cheek weld (comfortably snug), grip on palm swell(comfortably snug), butt against right shoulder(comfortably snug), and left hand stabilizing the stock while leaning against/on the front of the rear sandbag.
All this works for me. It might/might not work for others.
Best wishes and good luck.
Savage Model 10, .223 Rem. 9" twist, 22" barrel. Right handed rifle and shooter.
Have worked up loads for 55gr.& 60gr. Horn V-Max, 55gr & 60gr. Nosler Varmint, 55gr. & 65gr. Sierra BTHP, and 70gr. Speer SP.
Have used Varget, Rl15, Benchmark, H335, TAC, Win.748 powders. For me, Win748 was the least successful of all the powders. Lapua brass, CCI400 and CCI450 primers. Settled on Varget as the best powder for all these bullets in MY rifle. Settled on CCI400 primers for all loads.
Have tried all loads at "jumps" of .010", .015" and .020". At this writing, .015 SEEMS to be the best all around for all bullets. The "jump" distance still needs some minor tweeking.
The best accuracy for all bullets with most powders seems to be within the moderate to slightly nudging the max. recommended load.
The Sierra 55gr.BTHP seems the most accurate so-far. Have a few 100 yd, 5 shot groups in the .250" to .265" range with that bullet. The other bullets provide 100 yd, 5 shot groups in the 3/8" to 5/8" range when I am shooting well and weather conditions are favorable.
All shooting is done at an outdoor range from a not-too-stable shooting bench. My front rest is a Harris swivel bipod with legs out to the first notch. A swivel bipod is necessary because most shooting benches are not level side-to-side. When the bipod legs are fully "in" they have a slight springy effect which affects accuracy. The bipod is very stable when the legs are out to the first notch. A sandbag is the rear rest.
While at the range during load development I focus on breathing(don't wait too long after you are ready), sight picture(centered, full and steady), trigger control(pulling straight back), cheek weld (comfortably snug), grip on palm swell(comfortably snug), butt against right shoulder(comfortably snug), and left hand stabilizing the stock while leaning against/on the front of the rear sandbag.
All this works for me. It might/might not work for others.
Best wishes and good luck.
Re: .223 hand loads.
69gr SMK shoot great, but I'm a little biased. I've shot really well with Hornady 68gr BTHP out of a 1:9 gasser. A little bit longer base to ogive on the Hornady. Both of those shot well with Varget and IMR 4895 and CCI 400 primers, I prefer Varget
69gr SMK shoot great, but I'm a little biased. I've shot really well with Hornady 68gr BTHP out of a 1:9 gasser. A little bit longer base to ogive on the Hornady. Both of those shot well with Varget and IMR 4895 and CCI 400 primers, I prefer Varget
