Thread: 1:8 223 real world data with heavier bullets

Most shops have at least one 1:8 twist 223 (mostly Tikka) for sale so would assume there are a few doing the rounds? Any one care to share their experience with them and what velocities can be expected with heavier bullets in the 70gr plus, especially with the 75gr or even 80gr Eld M bullets. I had a play around on Quickload but just want to make sure the theory and real world reality correlate.

Depends on barrel length. I was running 75gr A max out of a 22" at 2850 I think. Belmont factory 77gr does 2650 out of a 16" barrel and about 2730 out of a 20".

68gr Hornady I ran out of a 16" at 2850. The heavier bullets make 223 quite a hammer for what it is.

T3 Varmit uncut, 69 gn 3000 fps, 80.5 gn Berger 2850 fps. ADI 2208 behind both.

T3 varmint 69 targex 3050 2206h

18.5" 80gr ELD-M 25gr 2208 2800fps. Would expect to be able to get close to 2900 with 75gr and 2206H. Need to play around a little more with the 80s, no pressure signs at that load. Lapua/CCI450. Long OAL - 66 or 67mm from memory. Throat cut for it and using modified accurate mag AICS mags to allow feeding

Greetings All,
I have tried two loads in my T3 Lite with standard barrel. They are for the Sierra 69 grain MK and the Speer 70 grain Semi Spitzer.
The 69 grain MK were loaded in LC83 cases (same weight as Remington commercial cases) with Fed 205 primers and 25 grains of AR2206H. These chronographed 2,960 fps at 3.0 metres. 57.5 mm LOA 1 mm from lands. Case full.
The 70 grain Speer Semi Spitzer were loaded in S&B cases. These cases are considerably heavier then US cases, 105 grains compared to 94 to 97 grains for most US cases including military. Fed 205 primers were used. The Speer projectiles are very blunt and needed to be seated to 53.5 mm LOA to keep them 1 mm of the lands. This, together with the heavy cases, reduced the case capacity so that only 23.0 grains of AR2206H powder could be loaded. The load chronographed 2,680 fps at 3.0 metres. Other test loads are ready but not fired yet.
I am having case capacity problems with AR2206H in the .223 case in my other rifle so am in the process of switching to BM8208.
Regards Grandpamac.

Factory belmont 77 at 2800 from my carbonlite

Thanks guys. Quickload suggest that one will be able to push both the 75gr and 80gr around 2900fps, both on the same OBT node of 1,014ms for a 24" barrel, but with relatively high pressure close to max and assuming one will be able to achieve the assumed COAL.

Originally Posted by 300LRH

Thanks guys. Quickload suggest that one will be able to push both the 75gr and 80gr around 2900fps, both on the same OBT node of 1,014ms for a 24" barrel, but with relatively high pressure close to max and assuming one will be able to achieve the assumed COAL.

Im not sure what all of that node business meant. But my standard Tikka 1:8 (22" barrel) pushes 77 Sierra TMK @ 2930 fps using 2206H. And my Savage Lightweight with 20" barrel 69 grn Sierra TMK and 69 grn Targex @ 3K using 2206H too. No pressure signs in either load. Norma and Gecco brass. I find brass brands make a load difference in the .223.

Thanks Tahr. Optimum Barrel Time = OBT. Theory suggest that each barrel length has accuracy nodes associated with time (milliseconds) that a bullets travels through the barrel as a result of the of induced shockwave.

My t3 superlight standard 22" barrel with dpt runs 75 eldms at 2970 with 2206H.

Validated to 1022 yards

I'm yet to try Alliant Power Pro Varmint, but it's meant to be gold dust for pushing heavy bullets out of a 223

Originally Posted by Beavis

I'm yet to try Alliant Power Pro Varmint, but it's meant to be gold dust for pushing heavy bullets out of a 223

@Beavis - I strongly suspect you're thinking of Alliant Power Pro 2000 MR? Spectacular velocities but a bit interesting in regard to consistency and accuracy. This is the powder sold in NZ by Belmont as SMP763 - there was a thread on here about it not too long ago.

Originally Posted by Steelisreal

@Beavis - I strongly suspect you're thinking of Alliant Power Pro 2000 MR? Spectacular velocities but a bit interesting in regard to consistency and accuracy. This is the powder sold in NZ by Belmont as SMP763 - there was a thread on here about it not too long ago.

Nope Power Pro Varmint is meant to be another Alliant wonder powder. Guys are pushing it with experimental data and getting good results.

Alliant Power Pro Varmint

Originally Posted by Beavis

Nope Power Pro Varmint is meant to be another Alliant wonder powder. Guys are pushing it with experimental data and getting good results.

Alliant Power Pro Varmint

I looked at that same data link when I was developing a load for 77grn projectiles but did better with 2206H