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223AI/90gr Berger VLD

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Minuteman
Jan 16, 2011
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Floyd Co, IN
Doesn't seem to be a ton of data out there for 90gr VLDs other than they can be a PITA to get to shoot, so I figure I'll share what I saw today.

Criterion 22" 1:7 223AI barrel (Savage prefit), 0.061" freebore

90gr VLD @ 2.49" COAL
Nosler brass, fireformed
CCI-450
Varget powder

553' ASL
27F temp
30.36" Hg
24% humidity

ProChrono Digital @ 8' from muzzle, full sunlight.

3-shot average velocity
24.0gr: 2647
24.2gr: 2663
24.4gr: 2680
24.6gr: 2708
24.8gr: 2728
25.0gr: 2749
25.2gr: 2774
25.4gr: 2778 (faint ejector mark)

24.8 and 25.0gr had a common POI and 25.0gr bugholed, so I'll probably test 24.7-25.1gr to confirm the OCW.
 
Thanks for the information here and in the earlier thread. I'm considering a similar project with a Stevens 200.
 
Good info. The .223AI/90VLD is what I had planned for a practice rifle. However, after reading of so many people having issues getting them to shoot, I just decided to be safe and go .223/80VLD. It's performed well this far.
 
Give 2000-mr a try. I use this powder with a 223 wylde, and can get 90's up to 2880. Accuracy is great. My barrel is a 3 groove pacnor 6.5 twist.
 
Update:

Got out today, my first time shooting since the original post. I again tested the 90gr Berger VLD @ 2.49" OAL, in Nosler fireformed brass, with CCI-450 primer and Varget through a Savage/Criterion 22" 1:7 223AI barrel with 0.061" freebore. Elevation was 495' ASL, temp 32F, target 100yd.

24.9gr Varget averaged 2746fps for four shots. This provided the best accuracy I saw today, with three in the same hole and the fourth/last shot dropped (not sure if me or not) making the group 0.57". Average velocity through the ProChrono Digital was 2746fps.

25.0gr Varget (the charge that bugholed in the original test) averaged 2759fps over 15 shots. I shot an initial 5-shot group then a 10-shot group, both of which were ~1.25". It acted like it wanted to group but threw some odd fliers, which may or may not have to do with them being shot following a test with 77gr Nosler CCs and Trailboss.

25.1gr Varget averaged 2767 over four shots - unspectacular at 1.1".

24.9gr and 25.0gr showed a common POI which is consistent with my initial test, so while I didn't test 24.8gr again today I think between the two tests it is safe to call 24.9gr Varget the OCW. Next step is to load a bunch up at that charge weight at various OALs and check performance on paper at 300 and velocity/drops out to 600.
 
I've had good luck using H4895 with Berger 75 and 80 gr bullets, in the 223 AI.
 
Got to stretch legs today on the 90gr VLD @ 2.49" COAL over 24.9gr Varget load today...

670' ASL
80F temp
30.07 Hg
48% humidity

From a 100yd zero I was 4.4mil up @ 650yd; that trued out to 2750fps, and I was able to make repeated hits on a 6" square target using this dope.

No wonky fliers today on paper but my 100yd groups weren't too impressive (maybe 0.75"); I think I need to tweak the OAL to find best accuracy but I'm kinda impressed by the velocity I am getting.
 
Last edited:
XTREM HTR16 said:
Care to share? I've got an 8 lb jug of H4895, some 75 AMax and a 223AI coming from Long Rifles!
Click to expand...

I'm using 24.9grs H4895, BH match brass, CCI, with the 75gr Amax getting 3035 fps. Using same charge and components with the 75gr Berger VLD getting 3068 fps, only difference between the two is OAL. This is out of a Tooley Customs Broughton 1-8.
 
I noticed with the 75 and 80gr Bergers my groups were better at 300yds than at 100yds. At 100 avg was .75 and at 300 they were 1.5

I would have to think the 90s would be a little more picky on OAL than the lighter bullets. Never tried the 90s, didn't figure my 1-8 was fast enough.
 
Love my 223 AI, but don't have the twist to stabilize the heavier bullets. It shoots 1-hole groups with 50 gr Ballistic Tips over Benchmark though. Does a spectacular number on prairie dogs out to 450 yards too!
 
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