Thread: .223 load

Micky Duck said it. There's a plethora of options.
If I was hunting with the .223 I would pick my bullet first (or whatever suitable hunting bullets you can get) then pick the powder from there (again, from whichever powders are available to you) Then reloading manuals will do the rest.
The limitations of components on the market will make some of your choices for you.

FWIW I chose 25.5gr of Belmont 748 or 747 Action Rifle, with 69gr Nosler, or 69 TMK. These gave excellent accuracy in my Tikka 1-8", and the same from my Savage.

Originally Posted by Tahr

@tac a1 with a I:8 twist you have the advantage of being able to use heavy for caliber bullets - up to 80 grn ELDM and Targex etc. I think that a 16" barrel handicaps that advantage. I would go for a 18" and personally I favour 20". Have a look at @gimp's Howa on the .223 hunting thread - its 18" and is a neat little package and I think he tops 2800 fps with 80grn.

You can still shoot light bullets with a 1:8 if you want to.

I notice that on here the people with really short barrels use lighter bullets to keep the speed up which with a 1:8 barrel to me seems to be counter intuitive.

Remington!

@Oldbloke. Whilst one should always consult reloading manuals it has to be said that there are a fair number of very experienced hunters/reloaders on this forum who may be willing to share their useful load data, be it for lighter or heavier projectiles. As anyone who reloads knows you research any info. received and work up your loads watching for warning signs.

Originally Posted by gimp

Remington!

OK... have a look at gimp's REMINGTON...

Originally Posted by woods223

@Oldbloke. Whilst one should always consult reloading manuals it has to be said that there are a fair number of very experienced hunters/reloaders on this forum who may be willing to share their useful load data, be it for lighter or heavier projectiles. As anyone who reloads knows you research any info. received and work up your loads watching for warning signs.

In general I don't post my exact powder loads on any forum. All other details no prob.

Originally Posted by zimmer

In general I don't post my exact powder loads on any forum. All other details no prob.

I’m happy to mention my powder charge weights if they fall between the powder manufacturers starting-max load data recommendations.
If I’ve exceeded the maximum recommended weight then I keep it to myself.

26gns of 2206H behind a 69gn TMK works for me

I use 23.5gr of 2206H with the 77gr TMK's but I have a full length uncut barrel with no suppressor and its a Tikka 1.8 twist.

Download "Gordons Reloading Tool" it's free. You can have a play with different powders, projectiles, overall lenghts, amount burn in the barrel allsorts of info, cost you nothing and a great place to start. Start low, suggested loads are mild.
Here an example

Originally Posted by Nathan F

26gns of 2206H behind a 69gn TMK works for me

At good speed to! Your rifle is going to cost me a t3x superlight .223 before long

4grns of trailboss behind a 55grn pill is hornady recipe for subsonic.....havent tried it yet but 3.5 behind same in 222 is scarey quiet..tried one out a couple of hours ago..projectile hitting puddle 70 yards away was louder than the shot.phit splat.

[QUOTE=flock;1463386]Download "Gordons Reloading Tool" it's free. You can have a play with different powders, projectiles, overall lenghts, amount burn in the barrel allsorts of info, cost you nothing and a great place to start. Start low, suggested loads are mild.
Here an example

Just downloaded GRT and put in the current test load, surprisingly close to what the real results were.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

4grns of trailboss behind a 55grn pill is hornady recipe for subsonic.....havent tried it yet but 3.5 behind same in 222 is scarey quiet..tried one out a couple of hours ago..projectile hitting puddle 70 yards away was louder than the shot.phit splat.

You planning on doing a sneaky on those animals you saw when you went for as walk with the boss recently. LOL.

not at all.....infact got even closer to one of them today..called him ANGUS..... will do photo off phone thing soon,all of 25-30 yards away.
but that peski possum the scoots up tree when out deer stalking...or cheeky wallaby if after a deer. they are also plurry good for finishing something off..no big blast and brain splatter.