Thread: .223 results

Since the .223 on Deer thread goes so well, may as well start a .223 handloads thread.

I have never done any load development with this rifle before - I just shot the load as provided by @Kiwi Greg with it, with excellent results. For 3 years.

Finally got around to testing some 80gr @TARGEX. Good results - average under .5MOA across all loads. Cool looking rounds.

Powder is 2206H - load is over book max, do not use without working up.

18" BBL 1:8" twist
FC nickel brass 1x fired (factory)
CCI 450
Seated .010" off the lands (1.910" CBTO)
100M
20degC

ES/SD could use a bit of a tickle - but ok for my uses. May uniform flash holes and see if it tightens up

Group with the ELDMs (2208) isn't the best - destroyed the aiming point with the first shot... and the speed/ES has fallen off a little - these are the first rounds from a new lot of 2208 - might need a tiny bump up to get back

They are a great pill

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I've had four .223 Rifles over the last few years , but that number has been whittled down to just one now ( One of the four has been turned into a 6x45 , which so far is quickly becoming my favourite Rifle I've ever owned and the .223 Han't been used much lately ) .
The one remaining .223 is a Howa Factory 20 inch 1-8 fluted barrel in a Stocky's Carbon Stock .
80gn projectiles aren't an option in the Howa due to magazine length , 77gn TMK's are what I've played with and I wanted a heavier Projectile because Pigs are sometimes encountered while out and about on the property .
Starline Brass
CCI BR4
Sierra 77gn TMK
ADI 2206H

The below photo is one of the tests I did initially and the final load is 23.9gn 2206H which is averaging 14mm ( centre to centre ) at 100m . I only really shoot 3 shot groups , and I know there is debate about their validity , but that 14mm average is from 57 x 3 shot groups ( shot over many different days and weather conditions) .I don't have a velocity even though I do now own a chronograph , I just haven't got around to testing it yet but all of my hunting is done 250m and closer so I'm not bothered by ballistic charts etc with this Rifle .
Because I now have the 6x45 throwing 85gn projectiles I will revisit the 53gn Hornady Vmax bullets in this Rifle which better suit it's intended Target of Dingoes here in Queensland , the below target is from a while ago with the 53gn Vmax's and Benchmark powder .
I never really followed up on this combination, but I was just interested in seeing if the barrel liked the 53gn bullets and I think they will do very well with more testing .( note on the 53gn Target the 25.8 group the flyer was definitely me , so that powder charge needs revisiting )

Always used BM2 for all pills from 53gr to 65gr. Nice metering and wicked accuracy.

30 odd years ago, when I had one centre fire rifle, I used to muck around with all sorts of loads, trying every projectile I could get my hands on and all manner of variations of OAL, load density and powders. More recently I have become much less experimental. The last two rifles I have bought have only had one hand load developed for each of them and, by luck or whatever, they seem to work.
My latest 223rem (a Browning X-Bolt) is one.
After a bit of research and advice from knowlegable forum members I settled on this.

Starline Brass
CCI 450 primer
ADI 2206H
Hornady 73gn ELD-M.

These have been chronographed at 2900fps average from the standard 1:8 twist 22" barrel
The group below was shot from a cold barrel at 106 yards and I don't expect to ever improve on that. It was the first batch I had loaded with once fired brass.

I have only shot half a dozen deer with it but am pleased with the results so far. I hope to be back out in the hills again soon but there is also a small matter of a 243win I need to blood.

Anyone using RL15 and Sierra 77 TMK’s? Looks like 2206h is the “go to” powder.
Loading for Howa 1:8 twist mini action.

RL15 is very similar in character to 2208 but not quite as temp stable I believe. It will work fine with heavies as 2208 is the go to load with 80.5 burgers in fullbore. 25 gns as per Gimps load.


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Had a crack with 3 x 73 eldm’s and 3 x sierra 55 gkhp. 16.5 inch barrel.

Remington brass
Federal primer
25 grains 2208 used with hornady 73 eldm - av speed 2777 fps
27 grains with 55 sierra gameking - av speed 3128 fps

I’m guessing 2208 is not the best powder for 55s has had a minimum speed of 3088 and a max of 3152fps. Maybe not all burning short barrel?

Not much of a sample but both loads shot well on the steinie beer box. Only have a 2.5-8 leupold on it so need a big aiming point!

Bottom group about 3/8 inch is eldm and top group is 55 sierras at about 1/4 of an inch.

Sako vixen action and barrel is 1-8 suppressed.

74grn Targex. 20 thou off lands. 25 grns 2206H .5 MOA. 2950 fps (std Tikka)
Charges individually weighed.

Checking zero

Anyone care to share a load for a T3 with the 75gn ELDM 2206h and lapua brass?

Originally Posted by nitram

Anyone care to share a load for a T3 with the 75gn ELDM 2206h and lapua brass?

I'm using 24grains with hornady brass in howa mini. Long OAL tho as running aftermarket bottom metal.

Originally Posted by Hunty1

I'm using 24grains with hornady brass in howa mini. Long OAL tho as running aftermarket bottom metal.

Yea plan to run a longer mag as well cheers

Had a great time at the range today with my son and our wee howa mini. Last night I loaded up some 65gr serrias to try. Simply dumped in 25gr of 2206H and seated to fit into magazine, no other development beyond that.
Shot two x three shot groups, and looks like we're ready to go hunting. Never had such ease with a load.


And to really make my day, the boy shot super well with the wee gun too, producing a nice 45mm 10 shot group at 100m with cheap hornday 55gr.
A good afternoon.

Re-checked the 74grn Targex sight in. Point of triangle aiming point. Left to right breeze.

Got my mate to try my .223 today
3 shots 77 TMK at 100M.

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