There will never be another one of these for me.

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Hooda Thunkit

Hooda Thunkit

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Oklahoma, out in the red dirt.
Well, after 35 years of reloading, I finally broke down and purchased a .223 rifle. It's an older NEF single-shot, with a cheap scope on it.

I'm not interested at all in an MSR (modern sporting rifle, AKA Ar-15 clone). Perhaps carrying one back when I worked for our Crazy Uncle ruined that for me.

I purchased a box of Aquila ammo, to try it out. I shot up the 50 rounds, decided I'd keep the rifle, so I need to reload for it.
I prepped all the brass; cleaned, FL sized, trimmed, trued the flashholes, etc. I looked up some loads, settled on some IMR4895 data - mostly because I have plenty of it.
A friend gave me some old RCBS dies.

Anyway, here's the very first 223 I loaded - there will never be another.
First .223loaded.JPG
55Gr Hornady BTSP, 23.5gr IMR4895

I was so proud, I had to go shoot it- 75yds, from an old wobbly portable shooting bench, on an improvised rest, out behind the barn -
First .223 shot.JPG

okay, good enough. Let's try some more. Of course, the wind is blowing like crazy, one of the delights of living here where it comes sweeping down the plains.
I planned to get some chrono data, but the chrono decided to take the day off; it won't turn on.

10 rounds at 23.5gr. Still at 75 yards, as far as I can shoot at my range behind the barn...
75yds, 23.5 IMR4895.JPG
Hmmm.... 2 distinct groups there...

24.0gr, 10 shots. black dot is 1".
75yds, 24.0 IMR4895.JPG
Okay, things are looking better.

I made an adjustment on the scope, set the rifle in the improvised rest, and walked downrange to verify what I was seeing in the scope.
I came back, and the rifle was laying on the ground. Did I mention the wind coming sweeping..... never mind.

24.5gr, 10 shots.
75yds, 24.5 IMR4895.JPG

The 2 shots in the top left are a result of the scope being knocked around when the rifle was blown off the wobbly portable bench whilst resting on the improvised rest. I know better than to leave the rifle in a precarious position.
Sigh.
Another quick adjustment, 8 rounds closer to where I wanted them.

I'm going to re-shoot the 24.5gr load, and try 10 at 25.0gr. Then, I'll try some 3031 data, I have a jug of that too.

I need to take the NEF apart and clean it, see what I can do to slick up the trigger a bit. It's got too heavy a pull for such a light, sweet rifle. When I get it set up, I'm betting Mrs. Thunkit will enjoy shooting this little rifle.
 
stillquietvoice said:
Hodgens shows 26.2 gr imr 4895 as a Max load for 55 gr why stop at 25.0 gr.
My m11 makes bug holes with 26.0 gr imr 4895.
Click to expand...
Well, after looking up SAAMI pressure specs for .223 Rem, I have to agree with you.
SAAMI specs at 55k psi. Hodgden tops out at 26.2gr IMR 4895 @53.2k psi.

I have a bit of room yet.
 
I have a couple of those rifles. One has a heavy barrel. Both shoot good to great depending on the bullet and load. The triggers on the other hand are so so. One, I put valve grinding compound on the mating surfaces and dry fired it a few hundred times with a snap cap in it. then cleaned and oiled things up. Marginally better but this is no precision clockwork either. I will work on it more when I get time though just to see what I can do with it. FYI these are not easy it put back together without a jig so I did not take it apart to stone things.
 
Whats your OAL? I've shot up a few thousand of the 55gr Hornady SP w/ Cannelure in a couple bolt actions and remember them always being in the neighborhood of 2.18-2.20 OAL. Usually puts them right around the cannelure in a case trimmed to 1.750-1.760. If you can't get those groups to tighten up ya might try seating them a bit deeper and see what happens... that's usually a great shooting bullet across many platforms.
 
Get a suitable sized rubber o-ring that slips over the barrel lug that the forend screw goes into. You can dig out a slight recess in the forearm wood so that it sits even. Screw in "finger tight". Check the barrel channel to make sure you can run a magazine cover inside it. Those two things should help tighten groups.

The Handi Rifle also benefits from a very slight crush fit, ie with your once fired brass, set the FLS to just kiss the shoulder back ever so slightly. And seating depth. Experiment. Seating depth has a lot of impact with the Handi. Not much to be done about the trigger and remember, parts are starting to dry up. The 223 was made in several twist rates. As an NEF, I expect it will be 1:12, so 55 grs is probably max bullet weight but you can check in at Greybeard Outdoors where the Handi gurus reside for more info.

I have not succumbed to 223/556 yet, stubbornly and bitterly clinging to the 222 Remington as my small dog and large rat shooter. I hope you enjoy it!
 
total recoil said:
3000 fps is not necessary to punch holes in paper. You might also try lowering the velocity to see if groups get better. Thank you for the pictures and story!
Click to expand...

I'll get to the lower vels when I start casting for it. Although, Hodgden does show data for this bullet with Clays at about 1100 fps....

Another_Kelley said:
Whats your OAL? I've shot up a few thousand of the 55gr Hornady SP w/ Cannelure in a couple bolt actions and remember them always being in the neighborhood of 2.18-2.20 OAL. Usually puts them right around the cannelure in a case trimmed to 1.750-1.760. If you can't get those groups to tighten up ya might try seating them a bit deeper and see what happens... that's usually a great shooting bullet across many platforms.
Click to expand...

Brass trimmed to 1.753 +/- a thou or so. OAL I took from Lyman 48, @ 2.260.
 
@DocRock, thanks for the tip on GBO. I've looked around over there prior to this, but didn't pay that much attention to the Handi-Rifle section.

Turns out this Handi is a bit newer than I thought, looks to be a 2000 model.

I'm assuming the twist is 1-12, but I can check it out.
 
Hooda Thunkit said:
@DocRock, thanks for the tip on GBO. I've looked around over there prior to this, but didn't pay that much attention to the Handi-Rifle section.

Turns out this Handi is a bit newer than I thought, looks to be a 2000 model.

I'm assuming the twist is 1-12, but I can check it out.
Click to expand...

Definitely check. There’s a resources section there that includes all caliber twist rates and dates. I’m pretty sure they tightened up the twist rate.
 
OAL I took from Lyman 48, @ 2.260.

FWIW: My 9th Edition Hornady Manual indicates their 55 gr soft point w/cannelure (item # 2266) was loaded to an OAL of 2.200"

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK, THR NOT RESPONSIBLE, ETC.

Test barrel: 26", 1 in 12 twist, Winchester brass and primer (WSR)

The following are listed in Hornady 9 as MAX loads for this bullet when used in a 223:

IMR 4895: 25.1 gr. @ 3100 fps.
IMR 3031: 22.8 gr. @ 3100 fps

If you need data on other powders or Hornady bullets, as long as they are listed in my Manual, I'll be more than happy to help!!
 
Quite a few years ago I got a Handi-Rifle in .223. Tried several powders, bullets and powders and got around 1" at 90-100 yds. when everything came together (my eyes, my nerves, the moon and weather). My rifle has a 1-12" twist and would not group very well with anything over 50 gr. but some 55 did OK. The last loads I worked up were with Beartooth 45 gr LRN bullets (.225") over some WC820. I was able to get 3/4" groups at 50 or so. Loads of fun and quiet...
 
With the Handi Rifle, the problem isn’t twist. It’s the lock-up of the action.

I’ve had several. Emphasis on HAD.
The only one that exhibited decent, repeatable accuracy was in .22WMR. Those in .22Hornet and .243 would string horribly with warmish loads approaching factory loads. Especially the .243.
Even a Savage .222/20ga I had strung badly.



I would try a 10% reduction from max loads, and reduce from there to find an accurate load for the Handi Rifle. Lower pressure loads seem to behave better. H4895 will likely prove to give best results.

re: 1/12” twist. I have a Remington Mod7 in .223 with 1/12” twist. It shoots even a 65gr Sierra GameKing BtSpt at less than 1.5” 5-shots @100yds. A Remington M700 with 1/14” twist shoots under .5”, occasionally .3’s with 55gr Sierra 55gr Varminter FB Spt’s.
 
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As I related earlier, a break action is not the ideal rifle for pinpoint accuracy. But with some attention to things like forend pressure (the real issue, rather than lock up - either it's locked up, or it isn't), detailed load development, and playing with seating depth, 1.5 - 1 MOA is feasible. Generally, sub-MOA requires some form of voodoo and human sacrifice. I have a 444 Marlin barrel that is sub-MOA with the 265 grs Hornady FTX, a bullet I don't like, and near on MOA with 325 grs cast monsters. My 454 Casull Carbine is nigh on MOA. These rifles definitely seem to do better with rimmed cartridges.
 
Hooda Thunkit said:
Refer to post #2....:thumbup:
Click to expand...

As best I can tell, Post #2 above is from Paul Toms, and says: Many years ago a girlfriend told me "You can't be first, but you can be next!"

Are you referring to your Neff as a Girlfriend?

Now I really am confused!!! LOL!!!
 
Skgreen said:
As best I can tell, Post #2 above is from Paul Toms, and says: Many years ago a girlfriend told me "You can't be first, but you can be next!"

Are you referring to your Neff as a Girlfriend?

Now I really am confused!!! LOL!!!
Click to expand...
Well, there can never be another first one, but there can be many, many 'next' ones.....


Okay folks, got some more loaded up. Stayed with the IMR4895 (because I have a jug), trying 25.0 and 25.5gr. When it quits raining I'll go out behind the barn and shoot them.
 
Is there a reason you left the bullet so far out of the case?
When my bullets have a cannelure I seat it so that
the cannelure is about 1/2 buried into the case.
 
Hondo 60 said:
Is there a reason you left the bullet so far out of the case?
When my bullets have a cannelure I seat it so that
the cannelure is about 1/2 buried into the case.
Click to expand...
Lyman #48 shows a 2.260 OAL with 55 grain soft point.

That length is 2.260. The cannelure means nothing to me in rifle loads. It chambers freely, and the bullet is seated to the base of the neck.
 
Hooda Thunkit said:
Lyman #48 shows a 2.260 OAL with 55 grain soft point.

That length is 2.260. The cannelure means nothing to me in rifle loads. It chambers freely, and the bullet is seated to the base of the neck.
Click to expand...

Which cartridge do you figure they're placing the cannelure on that particular bullet for?... If it's not for a 223/5.56...?
 
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