Thread: Popular loads .223

Seems the 223 everyone running similar loads, so easy to get good results its boring. Mine is 24.5 grains 2206h sierra 55 grain gameking 1/2 inch groups easy. Gun Old Remington ADL re barrelled with a trueflight

25.5gr ar2206h 65gr gameking 3110fps from 20” suppressed t3x 1/4-1/2 moa


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Anyone using Varget with boring old 55 gr SP bullets.
I'm looking at 1 powder for 2 cartridges and Varget or ACC 2520 look like good options for my other round.
Zq

ADI BM2 25gr and Nosler Shots 55gr SP

26.5gr W748 & Hornady 50gr zmax

All this proves is
A/ the 223 is a very sucessful cartridge that performs well over a wide range of velocities and bullet weights
B/ identical loads in different rifles usually give different results
C/ highest velocity is not always best accuracy
D/ your "pet load" was probably independently arrived at by hundreds of others, all of whom think they invented it
E/ factory ammo will give similar results
F/ we reload because we like to and it also reduces cost once the equipment cost has been absorbed. It also prevents us from doing other more constructive things such as vacuuming, as my wife would say
G/ It makes us ferret around in long grass, leaves and mud to reclaim our brass
H/ Im bored at the moment

My barrel is a 1:9 twist. It runs 45 and 55s pretty good. How would it go with 60-65 or even heavier,and the other way into lighter weights. Is it the weight, length or other variables that alter accuracy. Will all be factory rounds, unless I can con someone into rolling up some.
Mainly for wallabys, but is used on fellow when the closer shot is presented. Looking at maybe one gun to cover 90% of my shooting. Longer range bunnies and hares is on the todo list

Its rifling twist and bullet length that determine what works and what wont.
Too fast a rifling twist and light weight thin jacket varmint bullets will fly to pieces, too slow and long bullets will tumble.
1:9 would be good up to 65-69 grains in a round nose probably not a smk or similar.
The formula to use to work out what will work and what wont was worked out over 170 years ago by a smart cookie sirname greenhill.
It works only for pure lead or cup n core copper jacketed bullets (the most common type)
Twist=K x bullet diameter in inches squared divided by bullet length
K is a constant if mv is over 2800 fps its 180, slower and its 150.
Notice the bullet weight is not mentioned.
In your rifle a .223 bullet .987 inches long will initally be stableised by a 1:9 twist but as it slowsit will become marginal and ideally a faster 1:7 or 8 would be better.
Just for interest a 223 is doing over 236,000 rpm in a 1:10 twist barrel, my ute redlines at only 6000

I use the 223 on all of your list.
The 55gr sp work well on them all. I tried Vmax but if under 100m they tended to go straight through the soft fluffy things, and didn't open up the roos that well. Maybe travelling too fast?
I've tried 62 and 75gr ammo (factory stuff) and they all work as well. I normally carry a few 75's for if I see any pigs.
My boy dropped his first deer (fallow) with my 223 using the 55gr sp. Single shot into the neck at approx 80m dropped it straight away

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

Anyone using Varget with boring old 55 gr SP bullets.
I'm looking at 1 powder for 2 cartridges and Varget or ACC 2520 look like good options for my other round.
Zq

I use AR2208 for 223, 30-30 and 308, supposed to be same or similar to Varget, 24.6 grains behind 55gr Sierra gameking seems to be the load for my rifle.
I used to also use AR2206 (not 2206h) in 223 and 308, but now just stick to 2208.

Anyone want a 100 of 55 grain Sierra SP?
Pay for the sentness and they’re yours.


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Savage Model 12 .223, 1:7 twist, 26" barrel.
24.7 gr 2208 with 80 gr A-Max (I've still got 1500 of these), 2840 fps.
Used for FTR target shooting. Good out to 600 yards, will do 1000 yards in light winds.

Interesting mate....use the same ammo with the very same rifle......concur with your results....

Originally Posted by SlimySquirrel

Hi all,

Just thought I'd share a load that worked well in my rifle.

Could maybe start a sticky that helps out out with popular loads?

Rifle : Tikka T3 Varmint .223 1-8 Twist
Case: Hornady
Bullet: Sierra 69 TMK
Primer: Federal Small Match
Powder: 24.5gr ADI 2206h
Velocity: 3145 fps
Group: 1/2 inch

Reading different stories and experiences, is there a 'bad' load. They sound inherently accurate, just some are absolute lasers with tweaking. I've put lots of different types through mine, and the worst was just over an inch. Some I wondered if I'd missed a shot, through the same hole type of thing

27 grain Win 748 using 55grain Sierra HP in tikka t3 1:12