Thread: .223 results

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.