223, 55 Nosler ballistic tip, IMR 8208 OCW

[Ballistic308]

This combination shoot so well!!!

Rifle: home built 223 AR-15, 20” SS bull barrel, 1:8 twist, rifle length gas system http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=173618

Bullet: 55 Nosler ballistic tip
Brass: Winchester
Powder: IMR 8208
Primer: WSR
Test COAL: 2.244"
Distance: 100 yards

I started at 23.6g and worked up in 0.3g to 26.0, Hodgdon states a maximum charge weight of 25.3g, but as I and others have seen this powder is either under rated or very pressure tolerant. I started to see primers flatten out around the 25.7g – 26.0g area. IF YOU DECIDE TO WORK UP PAST THE MANUFACTURERS LIST MAXIMUM CHARGE START AT 23.6 AND WORK YOUR WAY UP LOOKING FOR PRESSURE SIGNS.


I settled on 25.7g. I didn't perform any seating depth test as I've found the 223 remington cartridge shoot very well well at 2.244".

Velocity of 25.7 is:
1 3237
2 3178
3 3191
4 3196
5 3180
6 3205
7 3193
8 3194
9 3204
10 3186

Average 3196
Std Dev 16

The first shot for some reason was much higher than the others, so when I took it out of the equation the 9 shot average becomes 3191 fps and the standard deviation becomes 9 fps.
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[SS-8541-dono]

Re: 223, 55 Nosler ballistic tip, IMR 8208 OCW

i achieved outstanding results with a similar load , so far im hooked on the nosler rounds.

60g nosler ballistic tip spitzer
21.5 g re-7
remington case
fed small rifle primer
1.90 coal measured at ogive
aprox 2950 fps

 

[308sako]

Re: 223, 55 Nosler ballistic tip, IMR 8208 OCW

My only suggestion would be to try the Russian primers if you get the chance. Small Rifle Magnum version. I got a standard deviation of zero for six rounds in one string... Amazing!
Note the first round after the first 5:

 

[Ballistic308]

Re: 223, 55 Nosler ballistic tip, IMR 8208 OCW

I tried the lower node but the velocity was not the vap-o-rize effect I was looking for.

I plan on hitting some coyotes this winter and some sagey rats in the sping with this load.

 

[308sako]

Re: 223, 55 Nosler ballistic tip, IMR 8208 OCW

That tape is with 77's in an 18" barrel