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.223 bolt action 1:12 twist with H335

IAmTheBadass

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Minuteman
Apr 7, 2013
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I am acquiring a .223 bolt gun with a 1:12 twist and I'm looking for a good bullet. I usually load with H335. But other powders are always up for suggestion. Also, barrel length is 20" if that helps with burn rate.

I know I can't use anything over 55 grains. I will use it mostly as a target gun out to 300-400 yds. I am looking at a 40 or 53 grain hornady Vmax but I would like any opinions.

So, any powder and bullet recommendations? All help is appreciated.

Also, if anyone knows of a decent place to buy bullets that stock regularly please share.

Also, I am new here so if I posted in the wrong spot please let me know.
 
I have a friend that uses varget and rem 55gr psp's in his 12 twist, I prefer benchmark and I think it would be better for 60 grain and less. I have a 9 twist. Id focus on the 53gr vmax for 300-400 its got a great ballistic coefficient. good luck finding bullets even when they are in stock anywhere they sell out fast
 
I would look at 55 gr Vmax and H335.
The SAAMI registered max averages pressure for .223 is 55 kpsi, but I look useful long brass life loads to 75 kpsi.
The Hodgdon published max load is 25.3 gr, but I get long brass life to 29 gr.
YMMV.
 
I have had good luck with H4198, AR-Comp, and R15 with the lighter pills in mine.
 
I've loaded up some SMK 52s and H335 for my dad's 1:12 Browning X-bolt with pretty respectable results out to 300.
 
Rem 7 1/2 and N120 behind a 40gr Vmax will get you to 500 easy past that those little pills start to run out of gas.
This load in many rifles will run over 3900fps.
 
Last edited:
korykhunter
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Rem 7 1/2 and N120 behind a 40gr Vmax will get you to 500 easy past that those little pills start to run out of gas.

It is amazing what a little boat tail will do: 0.201" of taper on the 40 gr Vmax.

Meanwhile a 33 gr Vmax with flat base, I have shot thousands, is a flat straight line out ot 180 yards, but needs all kinds of windage and elevation to kill at 230 yards.
It has the exterior ballistics of a ping pong ball.
 
52gr SMK, 50gr Sierra anything, 50-53gr Hornady anything. Anywhere around 50gr will be almost optimal.
Try WW748, I wouldn't pick anything as slow as Varget in this application. Benchmark should be good, XBR8208, Nothing wrong with H335,it may do just fine. Get a loading manual and make a list of the powders from the top velocity producing ones, in the bullet weights you plan to use. Speed is not important but can often indicate which powders are more efficient within the specific bullet weight range. Good luck.
 
The 335 with a 40 grain V-max is a fun load, great velocity and my 1:12 CZ barrel putts them in the .1s!!!
 
Been having decent results with 60gr Hornady V-Max Flat Base over Benchmark
in my 20" 1:12 twist .223 bolt.
 
Been having decent results with 60gr Hornady V-Max Flat Base over Benchmark
in my 20" 1:12 twist .223 bolt.

same here - the 60 grain flat base is excellent to 400 yds out of an 18 inch 1 in 12 bolt

for 55gr FMJ, 25 gr of 335 is the most universal load for use in any rifle/ any twist
 
I run 27.5 gr of H335 with 40 gr. Nosler BT's, moly coated, Win brass fed 205M primers. it does this and better all day long from my slow twist Cooper:
 

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I had good luck with 25.2 grs of H335 pushing 55 gr Nosler BTs. Average velocity is 3235 fps from a 26" 12-twist tube.

If I remember correctly, Nosler lists 25.0 grs as the "accuracy load" for the 55 gr BT.
 
Sako 75 1:12 i tried all vmax from 40-55gr and smk 52 and 53gr i only tried them on varget i setled on 52smk.bug hole at 100 is almost too easy if i do my part.using lapua brass 7 1/2 re primer loaded 26.6 oal 2.15 to 2.20
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