Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Nosler 70 grain RDF .223

I picked up some 70 grain RDF bullets today to try in my 1-8" Tikka T3 .223.

Does anyone have experience with this bullet? I'm looking for some load recommendations.





P

I'll be interested in other's experiences too. I bought a few hundred from Shooter's Pro Shop a couple of weeks ago but haven't loaded any yet

I picked mine up today at Nosler in Bend, $14.95/100. What did you pay?




P

I think that's about what they were at SPS. I had a pretty big order with several other bullets and I figured I'd give 'em a try.

Nosler said to use the 69 grain 5.56 load data, and recommended TAC.

Here's what 24.5 gr looks like at 3 different OAL.




I'll try Varget next if I need to.






P

I loaded some up in my 223ai. I used 24.8grs of h322 based on my ladder results. I then shot 5 groups at vaired seating depths. My gun likes a kiss. I found that downrange they are SLICK. they don't group quite as well as the 80gr custom comp for me yet.....but still going under .5moa.

I zapped a porky at 100 yds and it stopped instantly not a huge mess. I hit a coyote at 470 and it was similar to the custom competition.

I worked up a load in a RPR 22" 1.8 twist barrel.

Lapua brass
Rem primer
CFE 223 28.0 grains, it shot a low ES and tight groups at 3,130 mv average.

Little steep on the speed, I'll drop it a grain.

Taking into consideration that this bullet has a .416 BC it should fly long and be a flat shooter as well.
Great for a varmint calling rifle.

I am really liking the bullet, a lot.


RL 15 25.0 grain shot at an average of 2,800 mv.

N540 26.0 grain shot at 3,000 mv

Bob, I have taken two coyotes at 735yds and 680 yds with this bullet. The .416 works for me and if anything, I tend to miss high.

I have a Tikka .223 with a 1/10 twist. Think they will stabilize?

No




P

What twist will stabilize them?

my 1:8 AR15 is showing promise with them.

Mine is 1:8

I grabbed a couple pounds of 8208xbr and it shot the rdf's into the .2's or better with great velocity. I have settled on a load using it.

I'm assuming a bolt gun?

I've been working with these a little in an AR15, but haven't had much luck so far due to mag length constraints. Too bad, I want to like them.

How much jump does it have when loaded to the mag length?

At normal mag length (2.260" OAL) the jump is ~.155" in my 223 Wylde chamber, seems like a lot but this is one really pointy little bullet!

With some magazine modification I can get that down to ~.045", but it requires cutting open the front of the magazines.

How much jump in yours?

FWIW the 75gr Hornady BTHP jumps .090" in that barrel and shoots great.

I am jumping. 015". Hopefully you can get them to work.

Good to know, thanks. I haven't given up yet, I really want these to work.

As a side note, it's not the same as shooting animals of course but I did fire some of these into water jugs next to some 75gr Hornady BTHP (all 5.56 loads). Performance was very similar, and the Nosler bullet had no trouble fragmenting, which I wondered about with the tiny tip. I didn't take any pictures, but the number of jugs damaged and the amount of damage to each jug was very similar to the 75gr Hdy. For whatever that's worth...

Sounds like your results on coyotes were also similar to the common 75 & 77 gr match bullets?

I've killed half a dozen yotes and two porkys from 100 yds to 735yds. They are instant death.