52, 53, 55, 69 grain, FMJ, HP, BT etc .223, what's your most accurate powder/bullet combination??

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RussellC

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To avoid going off thread on another thread, https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/can-sp-be-accurate.821978/, I have started this one. I think we all agree that these thing can vary from one shooter and the particular gun, so its not definitive, just informational as to what you have found. Please, no "this is the best so if it isnt for you you must be doing something wrong" as anyone who knows anything, things vary from one to the next, from gun, materials used, and for that matter, anything that tends to increase confidence! We all know about that 5th shot anomaly!

So lets here it
 
Well, I meant to have title say 52, 53, 69 grain, FMJ, HP, BT etc what's your most accurate POWDER BULLET COMBINATION.

So whoops on me, I dont think the title can be edited?

Russellc
 
It seems to me answering this question should include what sort of shooting one is doing with the .223.

I have one .223 gun - and it's an AR. So for me my goal is "pretty accurate plinking". I haven't done an exhaustive search through many powders to find the actual "most accurate" for my gun and me.

H335 has always been "good enough" given the above objective. I generally get 1 MOA (maybe a little bigger) out of 55gr FMJs and 0.5-0.75 MOA out of 53gr HP match bullets. I have some W748 and have used it a little, but not much.
 
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I gave up on the h335 when I found benchmark and it shoots way better with 55gr v max for me. h335 never touch holes all the way to 24gr but Bm touches holes in several charges. h322 is another good on I just discovered.
 
otisrush said:
It seems to me answering this question should include what sort of shooting one is doing with the .223.

I have one .223 gun - and it's an AR. So for me my goal is "pretty accurate plinking". So I haven't done an exhaustive search through many powders to find the actual "most accurate" for my gun and me.

H335 has always been "good enough" given the above objective. I generally get 1 MOA (maybe a little bigger) out of 55gr FMJs and 0.5-0.75 MOA out of 53gr HP match bullets. I have some W748 and have used it a little, but not much.
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Same here, I have more than one AR, but I didnt want to exclude anyone. I am interested in your finds as well, this is avery wide open thread, with exception of bullet weights listed. It matters not if it is plinking, 100 yard shooting, 300 yard or more. Just state what your use is, plinking or what ever and cut loose!

Russellc
 
ohihunter2014 said:
I gave up on the h335 when I found benchmark and it shoots way better with 55gr v max for me. h335 never touch holes all the way to 24gr but Bm touches holes in several charges. h322 is another good on I just discovered.
Click to expand...
I have had better luck in this category with H322 than H335 as well, but different folks and different guns all vary. Otherwise we would all use the same. Thanks for your input!

I want to try Bench mark, and another powder, 8083, or something like that, I will have to review my buy notes!

I was close, 8208 XBR. I also want to try TAC. Anyone use these?


Russellc
 
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otisrush said:
It seems to me answering this question should include what sort of shooting one is doing with the .223.

I have one .223 gun - and it's an AR. So for me my goal is "pretty accurate plinking". I haven't done an exhaustive search through many powders to find the actual "most accurate" for my gun and me.

H335 has always been "good enough" given the above objective. I generally get 1 MOA (maybe a little bigger) out of 55gr FMJs and 0.5-0.75 MOA out of 53gr HP match bullets. I have some W748 and have used it a little, but not much.
Click to expand...
Like you, I have 748 and havent really played with it enough, ditto for BL C2
 
spitballer said:
I finally found a load that works with 55's in a 30" barrel with 12" twist: a max load of Varget.
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Lately, Varget is my favorite...first stick type powder I have done much with.
Thanks for the input!

Russellc
 
One of my AR's (1:10 twist) like the 52gr HPBT-M propelled by TAC. The other (1:8 twist) likes the 69gr HPBT-M with Varget.

update to add barrel info:

1:8 is a 18" HBAR style Wydle chamber. Use is hunting and general blasting. Sporting a 4x12 FireDot scope.
1:10 is a 24" Heavy Bull barrel with a Min Spec 223R match chamber. Use is paper punching. Sporting a NightForce 8-32 Benchrest scope.
 
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TAC has been my best with 50 gr., 55 gr. Vmax & 55 gr .Sierra .... Also shot a few 60 gr. Vmax with TAC & other powder ... have not come to a conclusion with that weight bullet ... I need more range time to say ....
 
Blue68f100 said:
One of my AR's (1:10 twist) like the 52gr HPBT-M propelled by TAC. The other (1:8 twist) likes the 69gr HPBT-M with Varget.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the input, It is probably a good idea for us to explain not only what our use is, but barrel length and twist as well. Mine is 1/7 and I also have a 1/8, ( one 1/7 is 16 inch, another 1/7 is 18 inches,) but it is apart right now...thanks for adding that most usefull info!

Russellc
 
When I was shooting Service Rifle competition with an A2 style AR-15 with 69 OTM Sierra bullets, I used Varget.

For all shooting with an AR-15 with bullets lighter than 60 grains, I use Accurate 2230.
 
Thanks for that, I need to get TAC and 8208 XBR. have today free, but thunderstorms are keeping me off the range. Tomorrow should be better.

Russellc
 
cfullgraf said:
When I was shooting Service Rifle competition with an A2 style AR-15 with 69 OTM Sierra bullets, I used Varget.

For all shooting with an AR-15 with bullets lighter than 60 grains, I use Accurate 2230.
Click to expand...

Darn! Another powder to put on the buy list. Gun show is coming up, and will see what area stores have it. Other wise, a large order of 1 pounders coming up in my future!

Russellc
 
JimKirk said:
TAC has been my best with 50 gr., 55 gr. Vmax & 55 gr .Sierra .... Also shot a few 60 gr. Vmax with TAC & other powder ... have not come to a conclusion with that weight bullet ... I need more range time to say ....
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Say, what length and twist of barrel do you have?

Russellc
 
From among the bullet weights you listed, I have had the best experience - accuracy wise - from 25.2 grains of IMR-3031 and a Speer 52 grain hollow point.

My best overall load - although not fitting in your criteria - has been 20.3 grains IMR-4198, 23.2 grains IMR-3031 or 25.9 grains of WW-748 under a 60 grain Hornady Spitzer Hollow Point. In the gun where I developed these loads, point of aim and point of impact at 100 yards so nearly coincide with all three that I can use them interchangably.
 
hdwhit said:
From among the bullet weights you listed, I have had the best experience - accuracy wise - from 25.2 grains of IMR-3031 and a Speer 52 grain hollow point.

My best overall load - although not fitting in your criteria - has been 20.3 grains IMR-4198, 23.2 grains IMR-3031 or 25.9 grains of WW-748 under a 60 grain Hornady Spitzer Hollow Point. In the gun where I developed these loads, point of aim and point of impact at 100 yards so nearly coincide with all three that I can use them interchangably.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that all info is good. Im encouraged to experiment with my 748. You guys are making me want to try a longer barrel!

60 grain is in there, I just listed the most popular 52-69 grain choices!

Russellc
 
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spitballer said:
I finally found a load that works with 55's in a 30" barrel with 12" twist: a max load of Varget.
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Holy cow! 30 inch barrel. I've got to rethink this...my longest is my "SPR" build, only 18 inches. I've wanting a bolt gun, in .223 and was thinking 20 or so...but AR guys are doing that and more. Hmmmm, better look at some long barrels. Another upper and it can go on the SPR lower!

Russellc
 
RussellC said:
I take it those 80 grains are in a bolt gun?
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AR15; Service Rifle and Match Rifle. SR has the standard 20" barrel. Using a 1-7 Bartlein this year with excellent results. MR were always 26" 1-8, mostly Harts. I chambered all of them with AMU or Wylde style reamers. These have throats that are .030 - .040" longer than standard. The 80s are seated longer than mag length and are single round loaded only.
 
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I have had good luck with tac and just tried 8208xbr with good results but 223 works well with many powders just find the load it likes, over The great powder shortage I used several different powders for 223 , tac, 8208xbr, 748, cfe223,blc2, and I found accurate loads with all of them, I always felt 223 is not really powder picky
 
I've had good results with Benchmark, RL10x, and 748 with 50 and 55 grain bullets in my 12 twist carbon fiber barreled Remington 700. As JO JO said, .223 doesn't seem to be very finicky about powder.
 
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