.223ai loads

[Cstanm70]

I just got back from the range with my .223ai. Its a rem 700 action with an mtu 1-8 bartlein on it. Bedded and with a tuned trigger. I tried varget under high recomendation with 80gr amax's. Well it shot 1.2" groups at 100 with a multitude of loads and seating depths. So im a little ticked, i was just wondering if anyone had a seating depth/powder i should try.

Thanks,
Connor

 

[Cstanm70]

Anyone?......bump

 

[boone3380]

I'm using 75gr Bergers or Amax in a 1-8 Broughton, with Hogdon 4895. I'm jumping the Bergers .030 and the Amax .050

 

[BoilerUP]

Stability formulas say the 80gr A-Max can be a bit marginal from a 1:8 in cold temps and/or low elevations...what was your charge weight with Varget?

I have a 22" 1:7 Criterion 223AI with 0.061" freebore and 26.2gr Varget under a 80 A-Max @ 2.485" COAL, Nosler fireformed brass and CCI-450 provides 2890fps and half MOA or bettery accuracy.

You might also try 8208XBR; you should find something in the 25-25.8gr range.

 

[Rangemaster]

Here is my results last Saturday at the range using a 55 gn hornady sp with AA 2230 powder at a 100 yards with a precision ar 15




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[BuzzBoss915]

Rather than seating depth and different powders, I would look into a different bullet. Besides that, the first load you try and it doesn't perform to your expectations is no reason to be ticked, at this point. Just find something that does, like the above poster. I have a 223AI and use 40 and 55 VMax. It's a varmint rig though, killed quite a few coyotes. BB

 

[Cstanm70]

Charge weight was 24.8 25.4 and 26. All shot the same.

 

[Cstanm70]

So what do you think would be a good bullet weight? Thanks for the help btw!

 

[BoilerUP]

Charge weight was 24.8 25.4 and 26. All shot the same.

Any particular reason you went up in 0.6gr increments in that volume case?

Take your fireformed brass and start around 25.6gr, and go up in 0.2gr increments to 26.8 or so. I'm almost certain you'll find good accuracy somewhere in there and if you don't, the barrel simply doesn't like the bullet.

As for other bullet recommendations...Berger 80.5gr, Sierra/Nosler 80gr, Berger 82gr.

 

[Hunt]

This is my go to load in a 1/8 twist Rock 5R:

26.2 RL-15
75 gr AMAX
LC brass
CCI 400

It's give my 2950 fps out of a 22" barrel and stacks holes.

 

[TRAAV]

22" Bartlein (7.7 I think)
80 Berger VLD .010 jamb
26.3 Varget
CCI BR4
Lapua
3035 FPS
This load is warm

 

[BoilerUP]

22" Bartlein (7.7 I think)
80 Berger VLD .010 jamb
26.3 Varget
CCI BR4
Lapua
3035 FPS
This load is warm

What's your primer pocket life with that load, by chance?

 

[TRAAV]

Not sure yet only on my third firing with the brass. I will say that they are not as tight as they were the first time I primed them.

 

[PharmShooter]

My .223 AI
Remington 700 action
22" Rock Barrel

Load
Lapua brass
77 gr. Lapua Scenars
CCI BR primer
25.8 gr. of RL-15 powder
COAL: 2.400"
2969 FPS

I can consistently average in the .300's shooting this weapon. Lots of groups sub .250" MOA and less. Love it.

 

[PharmShooter]

Never tried Varget in this gun because it loved RL-15 right off the bat.

 

[Cstanm70]

Loaded some amaxes back up using Boiler's advice. I have determined varget and 80 amax's are not the way to go. I just ordered some 69 gr smks, would imr 4895 be a good choice? I have h335 , varget, h4350, and h4831sc

 

[7mmRM]

I'm shooting the same load as Traav, though my bbl is a 25" Brux 1-8. MV of 3050.

Tweeked a load for my other 223AI this week. This rifle sports a 22" 1-8 MullerWorks tube.

Load is as follows-

80SMK .005 off the lands
26.0 of Varget
Formed '09 LC brass
Fed 205M

Didn't chrono it yet, but should be in the 2950- 3000 fps

 

[Niles Coyote]

FWIW, in my custom 223 I was jumping them around .020". If you can’t get varget to shoot once you shoot in .2 grain steps try H4895, it was good for more speed than varget in my rifle (about 40-50fps) and improved accuracy as well. As has been stated a 8 twist depending on you altitude and temp you may be right at the border of stability. When I was planning my next build (a 223ai) I ended up choosing a 7.5 twist barrel... I am over 1.5 years waiting on that barrel now... anyone happen to see it?