About to start reloading for this caliber. Got a Remington VTR and a Mini 14 Target rifle. Looking for starting points for loads. Hoping for all-around loads that could be used for deer.
Got these bullets:
55 NBT
55 Hornady SP
53 TSX
60 NPT
Got these powders that may be suitable:
TAC
Varget
H4895
RL 15
H380
H414
I also have a couple of 22-250s if anybody wants to chime in some loads for them also.
The 53 or 55 grainers, With about 25.5 gr. Of TAC, Varget, or H4895 behind them.
I've always said, It is harder to find a powder that doesn't work well in a 223, than it is to find one that is 'better than all the rest'.... every powder you have will work well in a 223....
some will say H 414 is too slow.. but at the same time, I don't think you'd be disappointed with the accuracy it will turn in..
223s and powder are like Gas and VW Bugs... they'll pretty much run on anything..
Never have shot TAC, so cant say about that one. Varget, and H-4895 have worked well in both of my 223s in the 50-55 bullet range. Although Benchmark and H-335 are on the top of the powder list for me.
Seafire is definately right about the 223 being like a V.W. as its hard to find a powder that doesnt work.
As far as the 22.250 and those bullets, 38 grs H-380 to start, and work up. H-380 and the 22.250 go together like bread and butter. Perfect.
Good Luck
Swifty
Exterminator works very well for me under the 55 gr. bullets, too.
Very clean burning and throws consistent all day and night.
Not much I couldn't do with a .223 Rem and RS TAC and Exterminator.
How about the 60 grain NPT? Bought these to use on deer in my 22-250 but it does not seem to like them.
I have a 26" Rem 700 VLS .223 that really likes 50-grain Ballistic Tips and 26.0 TAC, although admittedly it shoots H335 just as well.
As for .22-250, the last 5 listed are all good. Personal favorites with a 55-grain bullet are 34.0 H4895, 36.0 to 37.0 of RE15, and 39.5 of H380. I also like Ramshot's Big Game. My rifle shoots its best groups about a grain or so below maximum.
How about the 60 grain NPT? Bought these to use on deer in my 22-250 but it does not seem to like them.
In my rifle they did not like ball powders. Once I switched to IMR4895 groups shrunk to 5/8".
50 NBT and 50 Vmax shot well with 25 grains of TAC for me.
50-55gr NBT's over 25.0-26.0gr Varget shot well in my .223. However, for deer, I would find a powder that worked well in your rifle with the NPT's and TSX's...
My $0.02...
For deer? Be careful you use bullets designed for that as most are designed for varmints and would make for a very bad experience deer hunting.
TSX has always been my choice in sub calibers.
I recently tried AR-Comp and have been pleased with velocity and accuracy