Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

[Punisher29073]

I bought one of the Dicks R700 Varmint 223 while they were on special. I have taken off the stock and sold it on ebay. I had an older B&C stock i put action in, bedded it, and floated the barrel. I am waiting on a SS 16x42 scope I got off ebay to install on an EGW 15 MOA Rail with Burris tactical med rings. Over all I will end up with about $7 bills in the total build which I felt was a good deal. Time will tell. I bought a box of 200 Remington UMC cheapo ammo to play with at first, but want to do some handloads. I know ammo is cheap, but I like doing it myself and my 8yo little girl loves working the handle on the press. What better excuse could there be?

What are some accurate hand loads for this caliber?

Ryan

 

[cega]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

Start here:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=351023#Post351023


You'll have to wade through but you should find a few possibles in there. Pay attention to the disclaimers and work up to any and all loads you want to try out.

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

You'll just have to experiment and see what works best for YOUR rifle. What works in mine won't work in yours. I believe those rifles have a slower twist, so you may look at the lighter end of the spectrum in bullet weight.

 

[Punisher29073]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

I agree I am just looking for a starting point. It has a 1:12 twist. I am trying to stay in the 50-55 gr bullet category. Looking SMK 55s and Barnes tsx 53s.

Ryan

 

[tylerw02]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

Here's some good starting points:

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223rembolt.pdf

 

[BoilerUP]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

Let me recommend the 52gr A-Max and 53gr V-Max for a 1:12 barrel...

 

[groundhogbuster]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

52 Amax over 4895, varget, BenchMk, 748, several powders work well, but I worked on a 223 ss H&R, and 4895 worked the best for that gun. Dunno the twist, he just wanted a submoa gun, and the 52s worked nice.

 

[DrDeath]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

Black Hills 52Gr match HP. Deadly!..

 

[feelinducky]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

2nd the Vmax from Hornady

 

[Twist Fast]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

12" is a pisser of a twist rate,so 50 V-Max for the win.

Great blend of BC,velocity and terminal affects. Tough to beat '335.

 

[223ai]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

Those of us in the South might have some temp problems with 335, and I would definitely go 8208xbr instead if available. 335 meters like water if you're not worried about temp swings. I've little velocity difference with 8208 in 100+ temps as well as just above freezing in my 223. 50vmax is the ticket for your unfortunate barrel twist.

 

[stickfight]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

What speed changes have you had with H335?

I've worked up some loads with it at home, when it in the 90s, and they didn't swing much when checked at a hunt camp in the 10s.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Accurate 223 bolt gun loads

Just for Info: (Taking into accout all guns have different likes and dislikes.

I bought a Mann Accuracy device (Rem 700, KART barrel, in 5.56) from the CMP.

The Mann Devices is what the army use to test their ammo.

In doing some research on the 5.56 version I found that they, the Army, used a certain load to test their devices.

Rem Cases. CCI Bench Rest Primers, 52 grn Sierra match bullets and 25 grs of 3031. They get .18-.21 inch groups using this load in the Mann.

I tried the same load, it works great in my Mann and almost as well in my Rem 700 BLD Varmint in 223. It has a 1:12 twist. My Mann has a 1:7 twist.

You have to weight the powder. 3031 doesn't meter real well. Also the Mann requires the brass be run through a small base die. Only about 1/3 to 1/2 of the new brass I've tried will chamber in the Mann without running it through a small base die first.

Just for WIW (what its worth) department.