Favorite .223 Target loads?

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ahutch71

ahutch71

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I shoot .223 from a CZ 527, and have been having a good time working up some plinking and target loads. I have been shooting both 55 gr Hornady softpoints with cannelure, and also 55gr cast gas checked (Lee C225-55-RF) pan lubed, cast with Hardball 92-2-6 (similar to #2).

My current favorite 100yd load for the cast boolits is 13.0gr IMR 4227 with Cream of Wheat (CoW) on top to keep the powder at the bottom of the brass against the primer, slightly compressed. Just shot it yesterday, great accuracy at 100yd (about a 1.5" group, which is good for me). Haven't chrono'd yet but my guess is just a bit north of 2,000 fps (probably closer to 2,100). No leading, I believe due to the gas check, relatively hard alloy, and I've heard that the CoW may have a "scouring" effect.

My 50yd load is 12.0gr of Accurate 5744 (although I shoot SW Buffalo Rifle as a substitute, and my understanding is that Lovex used to make 5744 for Accurate and it's exactly or almost exactly the same powder...sure behaves like it) with no CoW buffer and the same boolit. Feels like shooting a 22 Mag (almost no recoil) and I can get nearly same hole hits at 50. I have chrono'd that one at 1815, +/- 10fps.

Anyhow, I'd be interested if others have any "pet loads" in 223 for target work and entertainment. Also, I haven't come up with any real favorites for the Hornady 55 grainers, so suggestions are welcome.
 
I like 4.5 grains of Trail Boss powder with a 52 grain factory second bullet . This groups nicely at 50 yards from a single shot Handi-Rifle. There is no recoil.
 
21.5 Grains H322 / 80 Grain SMK / CCI 400 SRP out of an oryx chassis rifle 1:7 barrel Thompson Compass Gen 1
these are single loaded
ES- 11.91 fps
SD- 4.85 fps
2679 average velocity
.5" load - 5 shot group x 5 groups
stopped development on that load
 
For varmint siloette I use 80 eldm 24.4 grains varget, Lapua case and cci br primer. Still finalizing seating depth but it's a good shooter.
 
I haven’t tried some of the heavier (75, 80gr) projectiles in my 527, as it’s a 1:12 and I’m not sure how they’ll stabilize.

GoldieMI said:
2679 average velocity
Click to expand...
May have to try this one, at ~2700 might have to enough zing to avoid the wobble, but 1:12 is still pretty slow.
 
For the 55, I liked 25.5 h4895.
For 77smk I run between 23.8 and 24.0 of IMR4064. Neither are compatible with volumetric measures. But both are extremely accurate.
 
Bfh_auto said:
For 77smk I run between 23.8 and 24.0 of IMR4064.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I haven’t tried 4064 in 223, but I have a bunch of it (use it and BL-C2 for 308 and 30-06).

My LGS has a 527 carbine in 223 now, and it has a 1:9 twist vs the 1:12 on my 527 American. May need to think about that...
 
55/gr Hornady Soft Point and 27/gr of W748 (Thanks RCMODEL)

100/yrds
5 Shots - 5/8" grouping out of a 20" bull barrel AR15

This isn't actually a Target Load.
I use this rifle for varmints.
 
ahutch71 said:
I haven’t tried some of the heavier (75, 80gr) projectiles in my 527, as it’s a 1:12 and I’m not sure how they’ll stabilize.


May have to try this one, at ~2700 might have to enough zing to avoid the wobble, but 1:12 is still pretty slow.
Click to expand...
I am at 2.436" COAL so not magazine length for most guns...I'm running AICS mags though
 
24.5 gns Varget under a 69gn SMK at 2.285", in PMC brass with a CCI 400 primer.
Shoots well under moa in my Rem 700 sps tactical, as long as I do my part.
 
My idea of “target” shooting is 200,300,600yds match target shooting.
I use 75gr Hornady BTHP match over 24.0gr of H4895 @2.26” for 200-300yds. 3/4moa.
80gr Sierra matchKings @2.555” (single load) for 600yds over 22.8gr. Hits 2,700fps from my Wilson 20” heavy match barrel. 1/2moa.
1/8”twist.
 
ahutch71 said:
I haven’t tried some of the heavier (75, 80gr) projectiles in my 527, as it’s a 1:12 and I’m not sure how they’ll stabilize.


May have to try this one, at ~2700 might have to enough zing to avoid the wobble, but 1:12 is still pretty slow.
Click to expand...
If you're 1-12 twist. Stick to the 55 flat base or 52 hpbt. I've had 62hpbt get sideways at 25 yards in a 1-12.
 
BL-C2 and that hornady 55gr sp

+/- 25.5gr of that combo has produced moa groups in every rifle I've ever owned chambered in 223rem or 5.56.

I've shown this target before. Home swaged jacketed bullets made from free 22lr cases/free range lead and free range pick-up mixed nato brass using a heavy bbl'd $200 savage axis chambered in 223rem.
P1gfBgs.jpg

That target was my initial testing with that bullet/rifle combo, only 5-shot groups. But I did more testing and found the same results with that 25.5gr load of bl-c2 and the home made bullet. A close-up of that 25.5gr load from the target above.
zPxjPex.jpg
 
Many powders seem to work well in mine. I use mostly W748 with 55gr. bullets. Accuracy is very good and it meters well.
 
For a 1:12 twist barrel your going to be forced to using light bullets. The slowest twist I have is 1:10 and it loves the 52gr SMK, 26.1-26.2 gr TAC @ 2.25" OAL = groups < 1 MOA and will produce clover (dime size) if your using good brass.

For faster twist barrels 25.7 gr Varget, 69gr SMK @ 2.260"
 
Thanks for all the replies - I’m going to compile these and put them in my 223 folder so I have plenty of things to try.

I did call my guy at the LGS (they’re closed for weather but I know him well) and he’s going to hold the 527 carbine with a 1:9 twist for me and I’ll pick it up later this week when things thaw out. That should give me some more options with heavier projectiles (I’m thinking 1:9 will take me up to ~ 70-75 grains?).
 
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