.223 1:7 AR 15 psa load suggestions

[horsey300]

So I've been loading for the 12 twist for awhile and helping my brother with his Valk loads too, but this new project is something I'd like some input on. Primary purpose will be varmints and plinking, secondary will be deer, but not hunted hard, to stay legal for deer in this state, we need 900 ft lbs at 100 yds, with a 16" barrel, I'll have to be choosy on powder/pill combos, for now (based on the calculations I've run) running something in the 65-70 gr HARD and it should be ok. Obviously, I'll chronograph prospective loads.
With all this in mind, I'm thinking that the lead powders for the deer rounds should be cfe223 and benchmark, pushing the nosler or Sierra 64/65/70 or one of the 60ish monolithic game bullets. For varmints/plinking I'm adding 4166 to the mix but I'm unsure how well it meters as all of my 4166 loads have been manually dropped, bullets I'm considering are the 53 and 60 gr vmax, but I'm open to ideas on all fronts, I also have h322(very fond of its accuracy under a 50 gr pill!) on hand and a2015. I'd look forward to any fast twist ar input. Making a supply run tomorrow so time will be short before I make the initial batches but I appreciate all ongoing input in advance.
Parameters for powder: available and ideally fairly stable, on the worst coyote calling days, it'll be sub 0, on the worst pdog days +100. If I have to do warm and cold loats I CAN but not an ideal choice if avoidable.
For bullets:
Deer: game type bullets, no varmint types, I know some can and do, but for my purposes, they have to hold up through at LEAST one bone through the vitals.
Varmints: hold together in a tight twist, not terribly expensive (very curious about the varmageddons) and preferably fairly splosive on contact.

 

[Metal God]

Parameters for powder: available and ideally fairly stable, on the worst coyote calling days, it'll be sub 0, on the worst pdog days +100.

I'd stay away from CFE 223 with that much temperature swings . I've found it to be temperamental . Varget maybe H4895 would be good and Benchmark is pretty stable as far as I can tell . I know very little about the new powders like 4166 .

 

[horsey300]

I'd stay away from CFE 223 with that much temperature swings . I've found it to be temperamental . Varget maybe H4895 would be good and Benchmark is pretty stable as far as I can tell . I know very little about the new powders like 4166 .

4166 is one of the enduron powders, I use it in .243 and we're experimenting in Valk, very temp stable but better with mid range loads=lower velocity

 

[Blue68f100]

I use the 65gr SBT GK as my varmint load round. My preffered powder is Varget but have had good luck with TAC too.

 

[horsey300]

I use the 65gr SBT GK as my varmint load round. My preffered powder is Varget but have had good luck with TAC too.

What kind of impact velocity would you guesstimate you're getting on average ranges? (<300 yds?) And the 65 sgk is one of the deer weight bullets I'd considered, how does it hold up on impact?

 

[Tony k]

I'd stay away from CFE 223 with that much temperature swings . I've found it to be temperamental . Varget maybe H4895 would be good and Benchmark is pretty stable as far as I can tell . I know very little about the new powders like 4166 .

I've also found that CFE223 doesn't generate anywhere near the claimed velocities.

In my 20" 1:7 twist PSA upper, for example, I get about 75-150fps slower velocities than Hodgdon gets from their 24" test barrel for W748, H335, and Varget. With CFE 223, that difference between claimed and actual is 375fps. Discrepancy is similar with my 204 as well.

I've had good luck with Varget and 70 grain GMX bullets for Pigs with the above rifle. Dunno if it would meet your 100 yard energy requirements though.

 

[Blue68f100]

My muzzle velocity is averaging just under 3000 fps out of my Shillen 1:9 twist 20" AR-15. I don't recall shooting it past 100 yrds since all my varmint shooting is 100 yrds or less. The last time I fired it was when a group of young hogs came into my feeder behind the house which is ~ 90 yrds. I took out 3 in the bunch. This round did a number on them. I caught one on side of the head and blew a hole 2-3" on the back side. I normally use my 458 SOCOM for hogs but had right wrist surgery 2 weeks earlier and the doctor just released me to move out of the splint and start PT. That was in the morning and hogs showed up early evening. My wrist did not want to bend so it felt strange to shoot, but I don't let the hogs go unmolested .

 

[wanderinwalker]

For powders for what you're trying to do with the 60-70gr .223 loads, I'd suggest Hodgdon's H4895 or Varget, or Alliant Reloder 15. You should be able to generate higher velocities than with the faster powders like Benchmark. I haven't tried CFE223 but I do know W748 is very temperature sensitive, especially with heavier bullets in .223.

I'm also curious to hear the experience of others with the various "big game" bullets in the .223. I've been working with the 65gr Sierra Gamekings in my new CZ527 in .223, and so far the accuracy is promising with H4895. I'll break out the chronograph later in the spring when the temperatures are reliably above freezing during morning range sessions.

I also have a box of 50 of the 60gr Nosler Partitions loaded up. My research made it look like it's a tie between the Partition or the Gameking as effective deer bullets in the .223, without going to the monolothic type of bullets.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I also have a box of 50 of the 60gr Nosler Partitions loaded up. My research made it look like it's a tie between the Partition or the Gameking as effective deer bullets in the .223, without going to the monolothic type of bullets.

IMO the 60gr Partition is a much better choice for deer than the SGK bullet in the .223. When using a marginal caliber on deer it's best to use a premium bullet that is proven.

 

[wanderinwalker]

IMO the 60gr Partition is a much better choice for deer than the SGK bullet in the .223. When using a marginal caliber on deer it's best to use a premium bullet that is proven.

The Partition was the one I've been leaning toward if I do decide to take the CZ. Though in all honesty, one of my .30-caliber rifles with 150gr "just bullets" is more likely to get picked.

 

[Gtscotty]

I've had good luck with IMR 8208 XBR with 69gr - 75gr class bullets. ~2,750 out of my 18" barrel with 75gr hpbt, I'd imagine you could get a heavy hunting bullet up to the required energy levels out of a 16".

If I was looking for a .224 deer bullet, I'd definitely give the 70gr Nosler Accubonds coming out for 2019 a try. Doesn't look like they're in stock yet, but shouldn't be long.

 

[ATLDave]

Varget is fantastic with 69-70 grain bullets.

 

[horsey300]

For the casual plinking/varmint loads, I'm starting with 60 gr hdy sp, and power them with benchmark, I'll also compare with h322 and aa2015 for now. We're still rolling around ideas on deer loads, but true development won't start for a few more months yet, powder on it will be varget more than likely. Liking the 64 gr bonded solid bases and gamekings for the light end, but haven't decided for certain or ruled anything out yet either, the accubonds are still on the table, as are the gold dots and the 70 gr semisp, but we shall see. It's not like we don't have deer rifles standing around anyway lol. Could be this one doesn't hunt till next year, priorities being what they are .

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Use the Benchmark for prairie dogs, with a 55gr V-Max. That makes for a very accurate combo in the 5-6 rifles I've tried it in. And Benchmark should still be accurate with heavier bullets, but I don't think it will generate the velocities you're seeking.

Skip the CFE-223. It's good for plinking/blasting ammo but I've never seen anyone claim to get good groups with it. And that's been my experience as well. For your deer loads I would look into Varget, IMR 8208, or H4895 if you like to stick with Hodgdon/IMR/Win powders. They'll all give near top velocity, temp stable, and should produce ammo accurate enough for 150yard or less hunting. For bullets I'd go with 60gr Partitions if you can get the necessary velocity/power out of them. My bolt action .223 is easy capable of 1moa with Benchmark or Varget with a 60gr V-Max. The Partitions open up to about 1.5moa, but that should still be good enough as long as you're aiming for vitals and not headshots.