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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,235 Likes: 27
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,235 Likes: 27 |
I think we need a new sticky for good 223 rem loads. I know a lot of us use em. I know this is the varmint section, but if some of you load these for deer or hogs I'd like to see those loads too. Pictures of group size and animals taken with this dandy little cartridge are also a plus. Thanks, BSA.
Here are a few of my favorite recipes, bear in mind i've only been loading for the 223 for a little less than a year now. All loaded in R-P cases w/cci small rifle primers:
50 gr. hornady V-max 25.5 gr. H335 OAL= 2.225" 55 gr. hornady fmj w/c 25 gr. H335 OAL= 2.225" 53 gr. hornady hp match 24.5 gr. BLC2 OAL= 2.195" 53 gr. Sierra hp match 24 gr. BLC2 OAL= 2.222"
All loads listed give excellent accuracy in OP's rifle. Let me know what you think.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,362
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,362 |
I was in search of a all round load for my .223, and was suggested the 63gr sierra. I'm rather glad I gave it a try.
My favorite load:
63 gr. Sierra Semi-Point 26.5 gr. RL-15 CCI 400
Groups much under a inch in my rifle.
I really like this load, haven't shot anything with it yet but will not hesitate on anything in Oklahoma up to deer/hogs with this load.
Brett
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,235 Likes: 27
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,235 Likes: 27 |
I was in search of a all round load for my .223, and was suggested the 63gr sierra. I'm rather glad I gave it a try.
My favorite load:
63 gr. Sierra Semi-Point 26.5 gr. RL-15 CCI 400
Groups much under a inch in my rifle.
I really like this load, haven't shot anything with it yet but will not hesitate on anything in Oklahoma up to deer/hogs with this load. What twist rate on your barrel? Mine is a 1 in 12". Wish it was more like 1 in 9 or 1 in 10.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,338 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 17,338 Likes: 3 |
40gr Vmax 28gr H335 Win Brass CCI primer
60gr Vmax 23.5gr Varget Win Brass Rem 9 1/2
Screw you! I'm voting for Trump again!
Ecc 10:2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but that of a fool to the 24HCF.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 46,965
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 46,965 |
Benchmark, 10X, and Varget have all produced very good loads for me with bullets from 40 to 69 grains.
We may know the time Ben Carson lied, but does anyone know the time Hillary Clinton told the truth?
Immersing oneself in progressive lieberalism is no different than bathing in the sewage of Hell.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,362
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,362 |
bsa1917hunter:
Mine is a 1-12" twist. Like you I wish mine was a little tighter but what I have is good. I'm shooting a Vanguard Varmint Special. I wanna try a load with the 65 gr Gamekings but the recommended twist is tighter than 1-12" maybe I'll buy a box and if my gun doesn't like them I could always trade them. More and more I keep thinking I'd like a fast twist 22-250.
Brett
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,538
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,538 |
24.3g IMR8208XBR with 52g Amax is OCW load in FIL's Rem 700 SPS. Very low SD in RP brass with Fed205 primers.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,292 Likes: 10
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,292 Likes: 10 |
Sorry, I thought this was the Varmint Rifles section, not the Big Game/Combat section.
Most .223 varmint rifles will thrive with 50-gr bullets. Good for every pest from cockroaches to coyotes. (Well all right, they do over penetrate on cockroaches, LOL!)
Either of Ramshot's suggested loads using TAC or XTerminator work well, as will 27.0 W748, 24.0 H322, or 25.5 A2230. You wouldn't be displeased with book loads using Benchmark, RL10X, A2015, RL-15, 3031, 4198, 4895, BLC2 or a half dozen other powders, for that matter. I do find Varget to be a wee bit too slow for bullets of that weight, though.
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,436
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,436 |
Whole lot of good loads worked up for my three rifles in 223. Best bullets: Speer 50 gn TNT Speer 52 gn HP Speer 52 gn HPBT Nosler 50 gn BT Nolser 52 gn HPBT Sierra 50 gn Blitz(Silver tip) Berger 50 gn Varmint Berger 50 gn Match Berger 52 gn Varmint Sierra 45 gn Starke 45 gn Starke 40 gn Sierra 40 gn Blitz
Powders that work with bullets mentioned above: TAC IMR-4198 H-4895 H-335 H-322 RL-7 N-133
Primers: Fed 205M Rem 7 1/2 WSR
Don Buckbee
JPFO NRA Benefactor Member NSSA Life Member
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,292 Likes: 10
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 31,292 Likes: 10 |
With the caveat that I much prefer W748 or TAC over H335, and like RL-10X over RL-7, I second Don's list wholeheartedly.
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,203 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,203 Likes: 1 |
Check this site for some very good loads: http://www.centerfirecentral.com/viewer.htmlAlways be check loads listed against a reloading manual.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 501
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 501 |
At the range yesterday, I fired a couple of 5 shot groups from the bench at 100 yards out of my Weatherby Vanguard Varmint Special with: Fiocchi once fired neck sized brass Nosler 40 gr Ballistic Tip Winchester Small Rifle Primers 26.5 gr Accurate 2015 Even in fairly gusting winds, they average just over .5 of an inch. While the 2015 doesn't flow through the powder measure like Ramshot TAC or Accurate 2200, it does give very good performance especially with lighter bullets. I also load a lot of rounds with 26.0 gr of TAC and 50 gr bullets. Both my .223's have 1 in 12" twist barrels and seem happiest with the 40 and 50 gr bullets. The 55 gr aren't too bad and I have never tried anything heavier.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,438
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,438 |
RockyRaab - wait until they add a M203 underneath the HB...then we'll have a true hybrid. Wonder what the B/C of the 40mm projectile is.... Regards, Homesteader.
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,258
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10,258 |
Well all right, they do over penetrate on cockroaches, LOL! Have you seen TEXAS cockroaches? 26.5 grains of TAC under 50 grain NBT for 3300 fps from Rem ADL 22" barrell, Federal case , Federal 205M, goes into 6's.
Ed
A person who asks a question is a fool for 5 minutes the person who never asks is a fool forever.
The worst slaves are those that put the chains on themselves.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,695 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,695 Likes: 1 |
25 gr. of X-Terminator with a 50 gr. V-Max has given me the best accuracy so far out of a Ruger Hawkeye. A little over 3200fps. Tac's better with the 60 gr. V-Max.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,235 Likes: 27
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,235 Likes: 27 |
Just loaded up some 64 grain Federal fusion bullets for my ruger hawkeye .223 rem today. It has a 1 in 12" twist and I was surprised in the accuracy. Best group with hodgdon H335 powder was with 23 grains. Less than 1 (.90" average) moa with that load: Thinking this would make an excellent deer load in a pinch:
R-P Case 64 gr. federal fusion 23 gr. H335 cci 400 primer
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 90
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 90 |
I tried using a .223 for ground hogs in OH this year. At best it was disappointing as I had a miserable time with the long shots. My rifle has the 1:9 twist so I'm stuck with 50 gr or higher. I tried 40 gr and was disappointed. I'm not a fan of the fast twist rifles because I believe in using light frangible bullets so there are no richoches.
This rifle is going to be sold in favor of a .22-250 with a 1:14 twist.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,206
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,206 |
26.6 gr Xterminator or TAC = 3400fps Dog-gone!
Moe
"Pick out two!"
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,843 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,843 Likes: 6 |
BSA are you sure your Hawkeye has a 1-12? The Ruger website shows it with a 1-9.
Will Munny: It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have.
The Schofield Kid: Yeah, well, I guess they had it coming.
Will Munny: We all got it coming, kid.
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,843 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,843 Likes: 6 |
Taken with our 223 pet load.
Will Munny: It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. Take away all he's got and all he's ever gonna have.
The Schofield Kid: Yeah, well, I guess they had it coming.
Will Munny: We all got it coming, kid.
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